Image processing apparatus for converting image in characteristic region of original image into image of brushstroke patterns

An object of the present invention is to obtain an image that is more similar to a real ink-wash painting. An ink-wash painting conversion unit converts data of an original image into data of a painterly image. A characteristic region detection unit detects a characteristic region of the original image from the data of the original image. A conversion unit executes gradation processing of gradating the characteristic region detected by the characteristic region detection unit, and margin setting processing of setting a margin region to be added to the painterly image, as image processing of further converting the data of the painterly image that was converted by the ink-wash painting conversion unit.