I thought it might be fun to teach you how to turn one of your photos into a sketch using
Photoshop Elements. We will create both a black & white and colored pencil sketch from the same photo in this tutorial. Not only is this a great way to spread your wings and try something different on one of your layouts…but a blurry or “so-so” photo can be turned into a pretty attractive work or art using this method!
Step 1 – Begin by opening a new document the same dimensions as your photo with a white background at 300 ppi.
Step 2 – Open the photo you will be using. I’m going to use a favorite shot of my niece, the irrepressible Sophie, for our sample image.
Step 3 – Drag your photo into the new document, creating a layer above the white background.
Step 4 – Duplicate the photo layer by right clicking on the layer and choosing “Duplicate Layer” from the pop up menu.
Step 5 – With the “Layer 1 copy” layer selected, choose Enhance>Adjust Color> Remove Color. (Or use the shortcut Shift+Ctrl+U on a PC)
Step 6 – Invert the image to a negative by choosing Filter>Adjustments>Invert. (PC Shortcut Ctrl+I)
Step 7 - select 'Color Dodge' on the layer palette under the layer blend mode.
Step 8 – Choose Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
Step 9 – Adjust the slider until you are pleased with the results.
Here’s my version of a “water colored” Sophie:
Step 10 – You can also create a traditional “pencil sketch” by selecting Layer 1 (the colored photo layer) and changing the blending mode to Luminosity.
And here’s the black and white version of my pencil sketch!
Have fun with your “digital pencil.” Experiment by adjusting the Brightness/Contrast or Levels and see what new looks you might come up with on your own. I hope you enjoy releasing the frustrated sketch artist that may be residing within you!
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