How To Turn A Photo Into Colored Pencil Drawing

Learn how to hands turn any photo into a black and white pencil sketch with Photoshop, so larn three cracking means to colorize the sketch!

Version notation: This tutorial is for Photoshop CC 2019 and earlier. An updated version is available for Photoshop 2020 and 2021.

In this tutorial, we'll learn how to hands create a classic Photoshop effect, turning a photo into a pencil sketch! In fact, nosotros'll actually acquire how to create four variations of the sketch effect, starting with a simple black and white version. We'll then take our black and white sketch and acquire a few different ways to colorize information technology, first using the photo's original colors, then with a unmarried colour, so with a gradient!

We'll too acquire how to keep our pencil sketch flexible and editable, letting united states of america become dorsum and fine-tune things equally needed, by taking reward of Photoshop's Smart Filters, fill and aligning layers, and layer blend modes.

This version of the tutorial is compatible with Photoshop CC 2019 and earlier, including Photoshop CS6. Simply Photoshop 2020 or 2021 users will want to check out my updated version which includes recent changes to Photoshop's gradients.

Hither's the image I'll exist using (stylish dazzler portrait photo from Shutterstock):

The original paradigm.

Hither'due south how it volition look as the initial black and white sketch:

The blackness and white version of the sketch.

Here'southward the aforementioned sketch colorized with the photograph's original colors:

The first colorized version of the sketch.

Here's the same sketch again, this time colorized with a single color (you tin cull any color you like):

The second colorized version of the sketch.

And finally, here'south how the sketch will await after colorizing it with a gradient. At the terminate of the tutorial, nosotros'll see how to easily switch betwixt all four versions so you can cull the i you like best:

The third colorized version of the sketch.

Allow's get started!

How To Plough A Photo Into A Pencil Sketch With Photoshop

Stride one: Indistinguishable The Groundwork Layer

With your image newly opened in Photoshop, if you lot await in your Layers console, you'll see the prototype sitting on the Background layer, currently the simply layer in the document:

The Layers panel showing the photo on the Groundwork layer.

We're going to need this original image again afterward when we get to colorize the sketch, which means nosotros'll need to make sure nosotros don't make whatsoever changes to it. To keep it prophylactic, the first matter nosotros'll do is brand a copy of the paradigm by duplicating the Background layer.

To do that, click on the Background layer and elevate it down onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel (second icon from the right):

Dragging the Background layer onto the New Layer icon.

Release your mouse button when your hand cursor is directly over the New Layer icon. Photoshop makes a copy of the Background layer, names it "Background copy" and places it above the original:

The Layers console showing the new "Background copy" layer.

Step 2: Desaturate The Layer

Next, we need to remove all of the color from our "Background copy" layer, and nosotros can do that quickly using Photoshop's Desaturate command. Go upwards to the Paradigm card in the Menu Bar along the acme of the screen, choose Adjustments, then choose Desaturate. You can also apply the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+U (Win) / Shift+Command+U (Mac):

Going to Epitome > Adjustments > Desaturate.

Either way desaturates the image, leaving us with a black and white version of our photograph:

The image afterwards desaturating the color.

Step 3: Duplicate The Desaturated Layer

Adjacent, nosotros need to make a re-create of our desaturated layer. Click on the Background copy layer in the Layers panel and, just as we did with the original Background layer, drag it downwardly onto the New Layer icon:

Dragging the "Groundwork re-create" layer onto the New Layer icon.

When you release your mouse button, Photoshop makes a copy of the layer, names it "Groundwork re-create 2" and places it in a higher place the other layers:

The new "Background copy 2" layer appears at the tiptop of the layer stack.

Pace 4: Invert The Layer

We need to invert the brightness levels in this layer, making light areas dark and dark areas light, and we tin can exercise that using Photoshop'southward Invert command. Go up to the Image menu at the top of the screen, choose Adjustments, and then choose Invert (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+I (Win) / Control+I (Mac)):

Going to Epitome > Adjustments > Invert.

This inverts the image, creating a moving-picture show negative effect:

The image later inverting the brightness.

Pace 5: Change The Blend Mode To Color Dodge

Next, we demand to modify the blend mode of the layer. You'll detect the Alloy Mode option in the upper left of the Layers panel. By default, the alloy mode is set up to Normal. Click on the discussion "Normal" to bring up a menu of other alloy modes and choose Color Dodge from the list:

Changing the blend mode of the layer from Normal to Color Contrivance.

This will turn the document completely white, or at least more often than not white (you may see a few scattered areas of black depending on your prototype):

Irresolute the blend mode to Colour Contrivance turns the certificate temporarily white.

Step 6: Catechumen The Layer Into A Smart Object

In a moment, we're going to create the chief part of our sketch effect past blurring the layer using Photoshop's Gaussian Blur filter. But rather than applying it as a normal filter, permit'southward employ Gaussian Blur as a Smart Filter.

What'due south a Smart Filter, and how is information technology dissimilar from a normal filter? Well, Smart Filters are but similar normal filters in Photoshop, simply smarter! What makes them "smarter" is that while normal filters produce static results (that is, they make permanent changes to the pixels on a layer), Smart Filters are non-destructive and remain fully editable. They allow us to easily go dorsum at any time and make changes to the filter's settings without any loss of image quality. By applying Gaussian Mistiness as a Smart Filter, we're giving ourselves the option to go back and fine-tune our sketch issue later rather than locking ourselves in with our initial filter settings.

So how exercise we apply Gaussian Blur equally a Smart Filter? For that, we first demand to catechumen the layer to a Smart Object. Why do we need to convert it into a Smart Object? Information technology's because, when a filter is practical to a normal layer, it remains a normal, static filter. But when the exact aforementioned filter is practical to a Smart Object, information technology automatically becomes a Smart Filter!

To convert the layer into a Smart Object, click on the minor card icon in the upper right corner of the Layers panel:

Clicking the Layers panel menu icon.

So choose Convert to Smart Object from the carte du jour that appears:

Choosing the "Convert to Smart Object" command.

It may non seem like anything has happened, but if we look again in the Layers panel, we at present see a pocket-sized Smart Object icon in the lower right corner of the layer's preview thumbnail. This tells u.s. that the layer is now a Smart Object:

The Smart Object icon in the layer's preview thumbnail.

Footstep 7: Apply The Gaussian Blur Filter

Now that nosotros've converted the layer into a Smart Object, let's apply the Gaussian Mistiness filter. Go upwards to the Filter menu in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen, choose Mistiness, and then choose Gaussian Mistiness:

Going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.

This opens the Gaussian Blur dialog box. To create our main sketch effect, all we need to practise is utilise some blurring to the layer (the Smart Object). We control the amount of blurring using the Radius slider along the bottom of the dialog box. The farther nosotros drag the slider towards the right, the more we increase the radius value and the stronger the blurring volition appear.

The effect you attain will depend on how much blurring you've applied. Lower radius values will create a sketch with fine, thin lines, while larger values will give you a more photo-realistic result. For example, if I cull a fairly depression radius value of around 10 pixels:

Starting with a lower radius value.

I end upwardly with this effect here with very fine lines:

The sketch consequence using a lower radius value.

If I increment the radius value to something much higher, perhaps somewhere around 45 pixels:

Increasing the radius value for a stronger blur upshot.

I stop upwards with an effect that looks more like the original photo. The exact radius value you cull will depend both on your paradigm and the type of effect you're going for, and then the best thing to do is proceed an centre on your paradigm as y'all elevate the Radius slider and estimate the results. In my case, fifty-fifty though I like both versions, I call back I similar this 2d, more photo-realistic version a bit better, so I'll become with this 1. Click OK when you're done to close out of the Gaussian Blur dialog box:

The sketch effect with a larger radius value.

Nosotros have our main sketch effect, and we created it using a Gaussian Blur Smart Filter. Equally I mentioned earlier, Smart Filters remain fully editable, allowing united states of america to hands go dorsum and change the filter's settings later if needed. How do nosotros do that? Well, if we expect again in the Layers panel, we at present see the Gaussian Blur filter listed as a Smart Filter below the Smart Object we practical it to. If, at any bespeak, you beginning thinking that your sketch could use a bit more fine-tuning, simply double-click straight on the words "Gaussian Blur" to re-open the Gaussian Blur dialog box and drag the Radius slider as needed:

Double-clicking the Gaussian Mistiness Smart Filter volition re-open its dialog box.

Step 8: Add together A Levels Adjustment Layer

We've created our main sketch effect, but depending on how much blurring y'all applied, you may be finding that your sketch is looking besides light. If that'due south the case, we can hands darken it using a Levels adjustment layer. To add a Levels adjustment layer, click on the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

Choose Levels from the list that appears:

Choosing a Levels adjustment layer.

Photoshop adds a Levels aligning layer, names it "Levels i", and places information technology above the other layers in the Layers panel:

The Layers panel showing the new Levels adjustment layer.

Pace 9: Modify The Layer Alloy Mode To Multiply

The options and controls for the Levels adjustment layer appear in Photoshop's Properties panel, but there's nil here that we need to practice with them. Instead, to darken the sketch, all we need to do is change the blend mode for the Levels aligning layer from Normal to Multiply:

Irresolute the blend way of the adjustment layer to Multiply.

The Multiply blend mode is 1 of a group of blend modes in Photoshop that darken the epitome, and right away, we see that my sketch now appears much darker:

The effect after changing the Levels alloy mode to Multiply.

If you lot detect, as I do, that your sketch now appears too dark, you lot can fine-tune the amount of concealment by adjusting the opacity of the Levels adjustment layer. Y'all'll find the Opacity pick straight across from the blend way pick at the top of the Layers panel.

The more you lower the opacity value below its default 100%, the more the layers beneath the Levels adjustment layer will bear witness through, brightening the sketch back up. I'll lower mine downward to around 40%, but proceed an eye on your epitome every bit you adapt the opacity to find the value that works best:

Lowering the opacity of the Levels adjustment layer.

After lowering the opacity, the overall brightness is now looking ameliorate:

Lowering the opacity brought back some of the brightness.

Step 10: Indistinguishable The Background Layer Again

At this point, we have our main sketch effect, just currently information technology'due south in black and white. Let's look at a few different ways to colorize information technology. We'll start past using the photo's own original colors. For that, we need to make some other re-create of the Groundwork layer, so click on the Background layer (the original Background layer that's sitting below the other layers) and, just every bit nosotros've done a couple of times already, elevate it down onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Making some other copy of the Background layer.

Photoshop makes a copy of the layer, names it "Background copy 3" and places it directly higher up the original Groundwork layer:

The "Groundwork copy three" layer appears above the original Background layer.

Step 11: Rename The New Layer

We've created then many copies of our Background layer at this signal that our Layers panel is becoming cluttered with them, and they all have names ("Background re-create", "Background re-create 2", "Groundwork copy 3") that don't tell us annihilation virtually what the layer is being used for. Let'due south intermission the bike and rename the layer we just created.

We're going to exist using the "Groundwork copy 3" layer to colorize our sketch, so permit'south requite it more descriptive proper name. To rename a layer, double-click directly on its name to highlight it:

Highlighting the current name by double-clicking on information technology.

With the proper name highlighted, type in the new name. Let'south proper name it "Color". Printing Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) on your keyboard when you're done to accept the name alter:

Changing the layer'due south name to "Color".

Stride 12: Move The "Color" Layer To The Summit Of The Layer Stack

To utilise this layer to colorize the sketch, we need to motion it upwards to the peak of the layer stack; in other words, move it higher up all the other layers. Ane way to practice that would be to click on it and simply drag it upward above the other layers, just at that place's a faster way. To jump a layer directly to the top of the layer stack, commencement make certain it's selected in the Layers panel. Then, press and agree Shift+Ctrl (Win) / Shift+Command (Mac) on your keyboard and press your right bracket key ( ] ). This will instantly jump the selected layer straight to the pinnacle:

The "Color" layer now sits at the summit of the layer stack.

Stride 13: Modify The Blend Mode To "Colour"

With the "Colour" layer now the summit-nigh layer in the certificate, your original image will re-appear, blocking the other layers beneath it from view, which is plainly not what we desire. We want to blend the color from the original paradigm in with our sketch. To do that, only change the blend mode of the "Color" layer from Normal to Color:

Changing the blend mode of the layer to Colour.

The Color blend mode tells Photoshop to blend simply the color from this layer and ignore everything else, and just similar that, the sketch is now colorized:

The sketch colorized with the photograph's original colors.

If the color appears too strong, you can reduce information technology by lowering the opacity of the "Color" layer. I'll lower mine downward to fifty%:

Lowering the opacity of the "Color" layer.

And now, the color appears more subtle:

The effect after lowering the opacity of the "Color" layer.

Learn More: The 5 Layer Blend Modes You Need To Know

Step 14: Plough Off The "Color" Layer

If yous like the mode your sketch consequence looks using the photograph's original colors, you can end here. Otherwise, permit'southward wait at a second style to colorize information technology, this time using a single color. Before we do, let's plough off the "Colour" layer past clicking its visibility icon (the "eyeball" icon) in the Layers panel. This will bring back the black and white version of the sketch:

Turning off the "Color" layer by clicking its visibility icon.

Step 15: Add together A Solid Color Fill Layer

To colorize the sketch with a single color, we'll use 1 of Photoshop's Solid Color fill up layers. Click over again on the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

And so choose Solid Color from the top of the list that appears:

Choosing a Solid Color fill layer.

Every bit shortly every bit you select the Solid Colour make full layer, Photoshop volition popular open the Color Picker, asking you to choose your color. Don't worry about choosing the wrong colour hither because, as we'll see in a moment, nosotros can easily come dorsum and pick a different 1. I'll choose a shade of blueish to see what that looks similar:

Choosing blue from the Color Picker.

Footstep 16: Alter The Blend Fashion To Color

In one case you've chosen a colour, click OK to close out of the Colour Picker. Your certificate volition temporarily be filled with that colour, and if you look in the Layers panel, you lot'll see the new make full layer, named "Color Fill 1", sitting at the top.

To blend the colour in with the sketch, simply change the fill layer's blend mode from Normal to Color:

Changing the fill up layer's blend mode to Colour.

And now, the sketch appears colorized, in my case with blue:

The sketch colorized with blue.

If you want to try a different color, double-click on the make full layer's color swatch in the Layers panel:

Double-clicking the fill up layer's color swatch.

This re-opens the Color Picker, assuasive you to choose something different. I'll try a pinkish-purple this fourth dimension:

Choosing a different color from the Color Picker.

I'll click OK to shut out of the Color Picker, and now my sketch appears with my new color. You can become back and try as many different colors every bit you like until you find the one that works all-time:

The sketch colorized with purple.

To reduce the intensity of the color, just lower the make full layer's opacity, keeping an eye on the results as you lot drag the slider:

Lowering the opacity of the fill up layer.

Pace 17: Turn Off The Fill Layer

Let's look at one more way to colorize the sketch, this fourth dimension using a gradient. Outset, turn off the fill layer by clicking on its visibility icon in the Layers console. This volition one time once more return y'all to the black and white version of the sketch:

Clicking the fill layer's visibility icon.

Step eighteen: Add A Gradient Fill Layer

To colorize the sketch with a gradient, we'll use a Gradient fill up layer. Click once again on the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon at the lesser of the Layers console:

Clicking the New Fill or Adjustment Layer icon.

This fourth dimension, choose Gradient from the list:

Choosing a Gradient fill layer.

This opens the Gradient Fill dialog box. I covered everything you demand to know about drawing and editing gradients in Photoshop in our How To Draw Gradients With The Gradient Tool and How To Utilize The Gradient Editor tutorials and then I won't go into detail here. Instead, let's await at how to quickly select 1 of Photoshop's preset gradients and how to apply it to our sketch.

To cull a gradient, click on the small pointer to the right of the gradient color swatch at the tiptop of the dialog box. Don't click on the color swatch itself or you'll open the Gradient Editor which is across the scope of this tutorial. Make sure you click on the pointer to the right of the color swatch:

Clicking the arrow to the correct of the slope color swatch.

This opens the Gradient Picker, showing us thumbnails of preset gradients we tin choose from. To select a gradient, double-click on its thumbnail. This will both select the gradient and close the Gradient picker. For this tutorial, I'll choose the Spectrum slope (get-go thumbnail on the left, bottom row):

Selecting the Spectrum gradient.

Back in the Gradient Fill dialog box, I'll change the Angle of the gradient from its default ninety° to 135°, which will cause information technology to run diagonally across the image, creating a bit more interest:

Changing the angle of the gradient.

Click OK to close out of the dialog box when yous're done. Your document will temporarily exist filled with the gradient:

The gradient temporarily blocks the sketch from view.

Step 19: Change The Blend Fashion To Colour

If we look in the Layers panel, we see the Slope fill layer ("Slope Fill one") sitting at the meridian. Just every bit nosotros've done a couple of times already, to alloy the gradient in with the sketch, just change the blend mode of the Gradient Fill layer from Normal to Color:

Changing the blend manner of the Gradient Fill layer to Color.

Then, accommodate the intensity of the colors if needed by lowering the layer's opacity:

Lowering the opacity of the Slope Fill layer.

Hither'south what my sketch looks similar colorized with the Spectrum gradient:

The final colorized sketch outcome.

Choosing One Of The Previous Color Furnishings

At present that we've colorized the sketch with a gradient, what if yous like one of the previous colorized versions ameliorate (the ane using the photo's original colors or the i using the single color)? Or, what if you don't like any of the colorized versions and desire to get back to the black and white version? How practise you switch back?

Information technology'south piece of cake. First, to hibernate the slope, click on the Gradient Fill layer's visibility icon in the Layers panel. With all iii colorizing layers (the "Color" layer, the Solid Color fill layer and the Gradient Fill layer) at present turned off, y'all'll be back to your black and white version:

Clicking the Gradient Fill up layer's visibility icon.

Then, to bring back the single color version, click on the Solid Color fill layer'due south visibility icon (the empty square where the eyeball used to be) to turn information technology back on. Or, to bring back the photo's original colors, click the "Colour" layer's visibility icon. I'll turn my "Color" layer dorsum on:

Clicking the "Color" layer's visibility icon.

And at present I'k back to my sketch being colorized with the photograph's original colors:

The original colors return.

And in that location nosotros accept information technology! That'southward how to hands turn a photo into a black and white pencil sketch, along with a few different ways to colorize information technology, in Photoshop! If you found this tutorial helpful, delight consider supporting Photoshop Essentials by downloading the PDF version! Cheque out our Photo Furnishings section for more Photoshop furnishings tutorials!

Source: https://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/photo-to-color-pencil-sketch-with-photoshop-cc/

Posted by: raygozaegesecun46.blogspot.com

Share this post