The invention concerns a virtual painting system for simulating a paint application process and the resulting application of paint to a surface. The system includes a virtual paint applicator device, a position detector to detect the spatial position of the paint applicator device with respect to the surface to be painted, a data processing unit and a display device, wherein the position data of the paint applicator device are routed to the data processing unit, where they are converted into video data for rendering the virtual paint application visible, and which are further routed to the display device, in order to show a visual image of the virtual paint application process on the surface to be painted. This painting system makes possible a quick and, at the same time, realistic virtual representation of painting with a paint spray gun.