Which paintings work best?

Classic old master paintings from centuries ago work well, with portraits, still lifes and landscapes. Pick one you like and name it.

Will I look painted, or pasted in?

Painted. Spark redraws you in the brushwork, colours and light of the original so you belong in the frame.

Can I add my pet or a friend?

Yes. Add a photo of each and say where they sit or stand.

Can the painting move?

Yes. Use Turn into a video for a slow blink, a drift of candle light or a breeze, up to 15 seconds.

Can I choose a modern painting?

Stick to classic works from long ago. For anything modern, describe your own scene and style in words instead.

How to put yourself inside a famous painting

Add a photo of yourself and name a classic painting or its style, and Spark sets you inside it as a picture you can then turn into a slow video.

What you need

An iPhone with Rift.
One clear, front-facing photo of you.
A classic painting in mind, or a description of one.

Step by step

Choose your painting. Pick a work you can describe: a portrait of a sitter in dark velvet, a harvest scene or a still life on a table.
Add your photo. Use a face-forward one with soft light.
Tell Spark what to do. Say whether you replace the sitter or join the scene.
Review the Draft. Ask for up to 4 versions at once. The price shows on the Make button.
Make and save. Keep your favourite in Library. Use Turn into a video if you want a slow movement.

Lines to try with Spark

“Replace the sitter in this old master portrait with me, same costume and light.”
“Put me in a harvest scene from a golden-age Dutch painting.”
“Me and my dog as the subjects of a stately hunt portrait.”
“A still life with my bakery’s loaf and my face in the reflection.”
“Paint me in a quiet window scene, soft morning light from the left.”

Tips

Match your pose to the painting. A three-quarter pose suits a formal portrait, a straight face suits a plain background.
Use warm, soft light in your photo. Old paintings have gentle shadows, so avoid harsh flash.
Dress for it if you can. A dark top or a plain collar helps you blend in.
Keep to public-domain art. Old masters from centuries ago are safe and well known. Leave modern work alone.
Go slow with movement. A tiny blink and a flicker of candlelight is enough to make the video eerie in a good way.

Beyond portraits

A framed pet portrait for the living room, a family in a Renaissance feast, your home turned into a landscape. A painting is a lovely excuse for a gift.