How to Use LOKLiK iPAINT Review (AI Drawing Machine)
Ever wished you could turn your own photos or favorite digital designs into beautiful, hand-painted keepsakes—without tracing every single line by hand?
The LOKLiK iPAINT was designed to do exactly that.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, this clever little machine earned a design award as the world’s first AI-powered painting machine.
It promises to bridge digital creativity and hands-on artistry—part plotter, part drawing tool, and part automated art buddy.
After using the iPAINT repeatedly over the past few weeks, I’ve discovered its strengths, quirks, and where it shines best for makers and crafters.
First Impressions
The LOKLiK iPAINT arrives neatly packaged with a compact base unit, gel pen, heat erasable pens, clamps, and even a 48 color small acrylic paint set.
It feels sleek, sturdy, and ready to inspire.
LOKLiK iPaint Set Up
Setup is simple—just connect the drawing head to the base, tighten the center screw, and plug it in.
The instructions are straightforward and beginner-friendly.
Once powered on, it connects to your computer or tablet through LOKLiK IdeaStudio, also known as the LOKLiK iPAINT software.
Easy set up and the LOKLiK iPaint has everything needed to set up, it's easy and simple!
Connect the base and the top piece together by connecting the wire plug and then setting the drawing head together.
Then screw in the machine screw that is included in the kit with the included screwdriver.
Then cover the screw head with the little included piece of silicone.
Super sleek and ready to connect.
Plug in the USB cord to the LOKLiK iPaint and the computer, and the Power Cord into the electrical outlet.
The Software & Setup Process
This software is where the magic begins—it can take your own photos, convert them into outlines or numbered paint maps, and send them directly to the iPAINT for drawing.
The LOKLiK iPAINT software is intuitive and fun to experiment with.
You can import photos, choose a “line art” or “paint-by-number” mode, and resize or crop your image to fit your material.
That said, this is where I started noticing a few hiccups.
The machine’s AI line detection doesn’t always translate perfectly—especially on images with a lot of shadows or fine details.
Sometimes, it simplifies too much or, in the case of silhouettes or clean graphics, the pen goes over the same line multiple times--but not exactly, leaving messier marks than expected.
I did not try a paint-by-number image but I've heard that they are even messier.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean some projects need extra patience or a steadier hand with the Heat Erasable pen.
If you’re used to the crisp precision of a Cricut or laser cutter, the iPAINT feels more like a learning curve than a plug-and-play tool.
I played around with stock images in IdeaStudio and ultimately imported my own silhouette image in the hopes it would just trace it on some smooth marker paper for me.
Setting Up Your Canvas or Surface
You can use the LOKLiK iPAINT on various paper craft projects, canvas panels, thin wood pieces, or any type of paper.
Make sure to secure your material well—any slight bump or shift can throw off your design alignment.
Set the tip of the pen at the top left corner of your canvas or paper, this will align it with the software.
The software runs a test and shows you the area it will be drawing in before you start so you can make sure it's in the right placement.
A great tip: test small projects first to get a feel for spacing and stability. Once you’ve got the right setup, it’s easier to scale up for larger art pieces or custom gifts.
The Drawing Process
- Heat Erasable Pen – draws faint, fine lines that can be erased later with gentle heat (a hairdryer or heat gun on low).
- Gel Pen – for permanent lines that stay under your paint.
Once you select your design and hit “Start,” the iPAINT begins drawing—slowly and carefully.
Watching it is mesmerizing, almost like a mini robot artist at work.
However, one consistent issue I ran into was that the drawing tool retraces the same lines multiple times, even on simple shapes like silhouettes.
This can leave darker, overworked lines or thicker marks than necessary.
It’s not a precision flaw so much as a software quirk—the AI pathing isn’t quite optimized yet.
Painting & Finishing Touches
Once your lines are drawn, it’s time for the fun part—painting!
Use the included acrylic paint set or your own paints to fill in the design.
The paint-by-number mode makes it easy to create charming, professional-looking art, while the outline mode gives more freedom to blend and shade.
The acrylic paint comes in 48 colors, giving a great range of shades, and has good coverage when painting over the lines.
For the best results, I recommend working on smaller pieces (like 5x7" or 8x10") before jumping into large canvases.
It’s easier to manage alignment, and the iPAINT performs more consistently on smaller surfaces.
What Works Well
What Could Be Better
Should You Buy the LOKLiK iPAINT?
If you love experimenting with new tech tools and you’re patient with early-generation machines, yes—it’s a fun and inspiring addition to your studio.
The LOKLiK iPAINT isn’t flawless. It’s innovative and exciting, but not yet as refined as a Cricut Maker or traditional plotter. The AI drawing tool retracing issue can be frustrating, but it’s something that future updates could easily fix.
That said, the Heat Erasable pen and AI-powered design translation truly make this machine stand out. It’s a fantastic concept that pushes the boundaries of what home crafters and artists can do.
For now, think of it as a creative companion for paper craft projects, paint-by-number art, or simple line art experiments—not a replacement for freehand drawing, but an enhancement.
And when it works just right, the results are genuinely beautiful.
That's it!
The LOKLiK iPAINT represents a bold step into AI-assisted creativity. It’s inspiring, visually mesmerizing, and brimming with potential—even if it’s still finding its rhythm.
If you’re a DIY artist, teacher, or hobbyist who enjoys testing new creative tools, this machine can add a unique edge to your projects. It’s not perfect, but it’s promising—and for many, that’s the best kind of craft adventure.
Join the LOKLiK community, share your experiments, and keep an open mind as this technology evolves. Because while it may not replace your paintbrush, it might just inspire you to pick it up more often.
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