Photoshop: Create a pencil drawing - how it works

This practical tip explains how you can add a pencil effect to an image in the "Photoshop" image editing program.

Create a pencil effect in Photoshop

The professional image processing software "Photoshop" has various tools and filters to give original photos an authentic pencil effect. We'll show you how to do this:

1. Start "Photoshop" and open your desired image, which should be transformed into a pencil drawing.
2. Duplicate your level with the key combination "CTRL" + "J". Hide the lower level and continue working on the upper level.
3. Convert your motif into a grayscale image using "Image", "Corrections" and "Black and White ..." (see step 1). In contrast to normal "saturation", you can use the individual color controls to better control the color of your picture. Confirm your setting with "OK".
4. Then merge all levels into one level using the "Shift" + "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "E" key handle. A new layer is created. Convert the layer into a smart object with a "right click" + "convert to smart object" and then duplicate this layer (see step 2). You can use the "Rasterize layer" command to cancel the smart object conversion.
5. Set the top-level mode from "Normal" to "Divide". An almost white picture appears. Switch back to the underlying smart object level.
6. As shown in step 3, set certain values ​​under "Filters", "Sharpening Filters" and "Unsharp Mask". Orient yourself roughly according to the information on the screenshot and check your input via the preview window. Confirm your setting with "OK". You can change your filter settings at any time afterwards because your level has been converted into a smart object.
7. Go back to the upper smart object level and open the "Gaussian blur" under "Filters", "Blur filters". Enter a value around the number 8 and confirm your entry.
8. Stay at this level and click again in the filter selection on "Noise filter" and "Reduce noise". Set the values ​​roughly as shown in step 4. Before you confirm, check "Remove JPEG artifacts".
9. Combine all levels with the key combination "Shift" + "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "E" in one level. Set the layer mode of the layer from "Normal" to "Color exposure", convert the layer into a smart object and then duplicate it. Hide the top layer for now and apply the "Gaussian blur" with a value of about 9 for the layer below.
10. Show the top layer again and switch the layer mode from "Normal" to "Multiply". Also use the "Gaussian blur" with a value of 4 for this level. Finally, go once again under "Filter", "Noise filter" to "Reduce noise" and apply the values ​​already set for this level. Put all layers together with "Shift" + "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "E" on one layer before you save your photo in a realistic pencil effect.

In other practical tips, you will learn how to create a credible oil paint effect or a retro effect in "Photoshop".

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Step 1: convert image to grayscale image

Step 2: convert layer to smart object

Step 3: Mask the grayscale image out of focus

Step 4: Settings "Gaussian soft focus" for pencil drawing