Methods and apparatus for marker-based stylistic rendering may be used to automatically synthesize the stylistic range of various stylistic rendering techniques. An image processing pipeline may automatically generate stylistic images, such as Hedcut stipple images. Using virtual markers to determine locations in the image to which physical markers are to be attached, the tone of an original source image may be automatically reproduced via placement of stipple dots or other physical markers, while at the same time allowing for stylistic refinement of placement and appearance of the physical markers, e.g. along strong features in the source image.