Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is it all about?

VirtualPainter.ie is a website aimed at people who are trying to decide on which colour to paint a house or a room.

Basically, you send me a photo of what you are going to paint and tell me what colours you are thinking about. I then photoshop the photo and send the edited photo back to you with the colour applied to it.

2. How did you get the idea?

My wife and I were trying to decide on what colour to paint our house. Rather than going into the hardware shop and buying some paint testers, I decided to take a photo of the house and "photoshop" a few colour combinations onto it.

I done up a few samples, showed a few friends and we were able to pick our colour with ease.

3. How does it work?

You take a photo, tell me what colour(s) you want on what surfaces and then pay me.

I then "photoshop" the photo, applying the colour(s) you have specified and then email the edited photo back to you.

4. How do you do it?

Once your order is placed, I receive an email, alerting me to the fact that your order is in the queue.

I retrieve your photo and order details from my server and open your photo up in photoshop.

I make an accurate selection of the surfaces you have specified using the freehand lasso tool.

I add a new adjustment layer and fill in the selection with the colour you have specified.

I adjust the opacity and blend mode of the layer to allow some textures and natural shadows to appear on your new colour.

I email the edited photo back to you and the job is done.

5. Who is behind the site?

My name is Simon Kinsella. I'm a 29 year old web developer/web designer based in Monamolin, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

6. How do I place an order?

Click the red "place an order" button on the top right of every page on my site or click the "order" tab in the menu along the top of the site.

Alternatively, click the following link for your online colour test

7. What are the steps involved?

You take a high resolution (good quality) photo of the house/room you want to paint, from the perspective you want to see it from.

You access my ordering system, upload your photo and provide me with your email address and some instructions as to what colour(s) you want on what surface(s).

You pay me via PayPal (account not needed!)

I edit the photo based on your instructions and email it back to you.

8. What does it cost?

The baseline price is €5. This allows you to get two surfaces coloured in your photo. Example: Walls (Magnolia); Doors, Sills, Reveals, Quoins ("Chocolate Brown").

If you want an extra colour variation of two colours, it will cost an additional €3 as I will have already done the manual selection of the surfaces of your house/room.

I normally have your edited photo for you within 24 hours. However, if you would like the job done quicker, I offer a 2 hour "Express" service for €5 extra.

9. How many colours can I try?

By default, your €5 entitles you to two colours.

However, you can have as many colour variations as you want, but these cost an additional €3 per colour variation.

I have set two colours per colour variation as I think this is what most people will use. One colour for the main wall, the other colour for the trimmings!

10. How long does it take?

I have to balance this between family time, chores, hobbies and a new arrival so please allow at least 24 hours for your edited photo to get back to you.

If you are in a hurry for your colour test, I offer an "Express" service (€5 extra charge) in which I can have your edited photo in your inbox within 2 hours.