Abstract: We present a novel way for quickly and easily designing non-photorealistic images based on elementary operations which are linked together to create a variety of visual effects. Rather than mimicking a visual effect that an artist has already produced, we instead mimick the process undergone for the artist to produce that image. Compared to traditional approaches, this opens the possibility to have the images created by users with no programming skills. We describe a modular system that makes these elementary operatios available to the user. A specially designed user interface allows for an easy and intuitive combination of these operations to create an image. Visual feedback is provided to the user at any time and for any stage in the process.