How to Turn a Photo into a Pencil Drawing in Photoshop, the new and improved Sketch effect

In the past I have made a photoshop tutorial on turning a photo into a sketch. But after many years, I have a much better way of doing it, check out the photo to Pencil Drawing tutorial here.
We are going to create the fine lines of the outline as well as the smoother shading that is characteristic of a pencil drawing. I suggest watching the video first, then use the written steps as easy reference so you don’t have ti remember everything.

Here are the promised resources

How to turn your photo into a pencil drawing in Photoshop, step by step instructions.

This works in all Photoshop versions.

Step 1

Duplicate the Layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J)

Step 2

Convert the new layer to Black and White (Ctl/Cmd+Shift+U)

Step 3

Duplicate the black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J)

We now have 2 black and white layers

Step 4

Invert the top Black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+I)

Step 5

Change the Blending mode to Color Dodge (Click on Normal in the Layers panel)

The image is all white, this is normal and expected.

Step 6

Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur

Move the amount slider just enough so that we get a nice thin, but clear outline around everything.

We now have an etched effect

Step 7. Adding the shading

We now have a nice outline, but we want to add smooth shading, (this is where other tutorials usually stop).

Select both black and white layers and press Ctrl/Cmd+G to place into a layer group.

Step 8

Duplicate the group. Click on the group in the Layers panel and press Ctrl/Cmd+J.

Step 9

Choose the top layer in the top group

Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur

Move the slider until you see some gentle shading

Step 10. Blending the 2 Layer Groups together.

Choose the top Group (not the pixel layer, but the group).

Change the Blending mode to Darken, You can apply blending modes to groups as well as individual layers.

Adjust the opacity for a nice match.

Step 11

Duplicate the Top layer blending mode once again for a 3rd group. (Ctrl/Cmd+J)

Step 12

Choose the top layer in the top group

Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur

Move the slider until you see the final shading.

Step 13. Masking the effect

Let’s target where this effect should go with a layer mask.

Select the top layer group and add a Layer Mask, but wait. We want an inverted mask (Hides everything)

Hold down Alt/Option as you click the new layer mask icon in the layers panel. You will now have a black mask.

Step 14

Choose a soft edged brush (B key)

Select white as the foreground color

Change the brush opacity to 30% in the top tool options.

Step 15

With the mask selected, paint on the image and add the shading where you need it. It’s fun painting in the shading.

This completes the basic effect. Lets enhance it

Xtra Credit. Adding edge sharpening.

a/ Select all the layers and Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E (Windows) Cmd+Option+Shift+E (Mac) to create a new composite layer on top

b/ Change the Layer Blending mode to overlay on the top layer

c/ Choose Filter>Other>High Pass

d/ Adjust the amount until you are happy with the nice sharp Edges.

That’s it! Congratulations if you have completed this Photoshop Pencil Drawing tutorial! Nice job ?

Don’t forget to check out our other tutorials here at PhotoshopCAFE (Use the search bar at the top, or browse through the categories)

Thanks for checking out this weeks tutorial and see you all next week.

Great to see you here at the CAFE

Colin

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