Methods and systems are provided for transforming sketches into stylized electronic paintings. A neural network system is trained where the training includes training a first neural network that converts input sketches into output images and training a second neural network that converts images into output paintings. Similarity for the first neural network is evaluated between the output image and a reference image and similarity for the second neural network is evaluated between the output painting, the output image, and a reference painting. The neural network system is modified based on the evaluated similarity. The trained neural network is used to generate an output painting from an input sketch where the output painting maintains features from the input sketch utilizing an extrapolated intermediate image and reflects a designated style from the reference painting.