Using an image capturing device, multiple images can be obtained at different angles with respect to a surface of a target coating. In one computer-implemented embodiment, a method involves using a filtering technique to perform an image analysis on the obtained images to determine the presence of sparkle points within the images. A color attribute analysis can then be performed to determine various color attributes associated with the determined sparkle point. A sparkle color distribution can then be calculated in response to the color attribute analysis. A coating formulation can then be generated, in association with the calculated sparkle color distribution, which is the same or substantially similar to the target coating.