How to Make a Pencil Sketch in Photoshop

Photoshop offers a variety of filters and effects that can create a pencil-drawn look when applied to a photographic image, but the method that typically ensures the most realistic results is using the Layer Blend Modes feature. Layer Blend Modes are designed to add visual effects to layers and are highly customizable. You can start with any image you like, either color or black and white.

Things You'll Need

• Photoshop

Instructions

1. Open your image in Photoshop.

2. Click "Image," then "Mode," then "Grayscale" to convert the image to black and white. If Photoshop prompts you to flatten the image, select "No."

3. Click "Layer" and then "Duplicate" to make a copy of the background layer.

4. Click on the new layer in the Layers palette to select it and press "Ctrl" + "I" to invert the layer, creating a negative. Press "Command" + "I" for Mac.

5. Click the "Blend Modes" drop-down menu at the top of the Layers palette and select "Color Dodge" from the list.

6. Click on the "Filter" menu and select "Blur," then "Gaussian Blur." Move the slider in the Gaussian Blur dialog back and forth to increase and decrease the blur effect. The more blur you add, the wider and darker the shadows and lines will be.

7. Click "File" and select "Save as...". Follow the onscreen prompts to save your work.

References

• Photoshop Tips & Tricks: Photoshop Pixels to Pencil Drawings
• Developing Webs: Rendering A Pencil Sketch From A Photograph
• Toxic Lab: Pencil Sketch