In this lesson we will learn how to easily turn a photo into a pencil drawing, both in black and white and in color using Smart filters, correction layers and blending modes. First, we will learn how to convert a photo into a black and white sketch and how to save the fully editable effect using Smart filters. Then we learn how to color our drawing with the help of the color from the original image.
The lesson is done in Photoshop CS6, but earlier versions will do.
In this tutorial I will use the paid image.
This is how a black – white picture will look like.
And the same effect after adding color from the original photo.
Let’s start!
Step 1. Add a Hue / Saturation layer.
Open your photo in Photoshop. In the layers panel we see that this is the only layer.
To create our effect, the first thing we need to do is remove all the colors from our image without disturbing the image itself. For this panel Adjustments (Correction) click on the icon Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation).
A new adjustment layer will appear above the background layer. Hue / Saturation (Hue / Saturation).
Step 2. Color bleach image
To remove color from an image, simply drag the slider. Saturation (Saturation) to a value of -100.
As a result, the image will be black and white.
In the layers panel, click on the background layer to select it.
Step 4. Duplicate Background Layer
We need to create a copy of the background layer. To do this, go to the menu Layer> New> Layer via Copy (Layers – New – Copy to new layer). The second faster way is to use the keyboard shortcut. Ctrl +J.
A copy of the background layer appeared in the layers panel.
Step 5. Invert the image
In order to invert the created copy of the background layer, go to the menu Image> Adjustments> Invert (Image – Correction – Inversion). Or press Ctrl + I.
The image will take the form of a negative.
Change the blending mode of this layer to Color dodge (Lightening the basics).
As a result, the image will become white. In my case, you see a few small black areas – the way it should be.
For further work, we need to apply a Smart Filter that does not affect the image itself and is available for editing settings at any time. To do this, we first need to convert the layer to Smart – Object.
Standing on a duplicate background layer, in the upper right corner of the layers panel, click on the menu icon.
In the list, select Convert to Smart Object (Convert to Smart – Object).
The smart object icon will appear on the layer thumbnail in the lower right corner.
To apply the filter to the layer with a smart object, go to the menu Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur (Filter – Blur – Gaussian Blur).
In the filter dialog box that opens, change the value Radius (Radius) to blur the image a little. In my case, about 12 px. Settings for your photo may differ from mine.
Click OK to apply the settings.
Here is my result.
One of the main advantages of using the filter as a Smart Filter is that if you don’t like the result, you can adjust the filter settings at any time. To do this, double click on the filter name to open the dialog box and adjust the settings.
We have created a basic sketch, but it is too light and needs to be darkened a little. For this panel Adjustments (Correction) click on the correction icon Levels (Levels).
A new adjustment layer will appear above the layer with the Smart Object.
Step 10. Change the blend mode
We do not need the parameters of the adjustment layer – we leave them by default. To darken our sketch, all we need is to change the blending mode of this layer to Multiply (Multiplication).
This blending mode is one of the five most commonly used modes in Photoshop. And just by choosing this blending mode, we quickly and easily managed to darken our drawing without changing the correction parameters.
If your image seems too dark, you can change Opacity (Opacity) Adjustment Layer Levels. In my case, I set about 60%.
Here’s what I got.
At the moment, the main effect of the picture is complete. Let’s return to our drawing a little color from the original image. To do this, select the Background layer in the layers panel.
Then, just like you did in step 4, duplicate the layer through the menu Layer> New> Layer via Copy (Layers – New – Copy to a new layer), or press the key combination Ctrl + J.
The second copy will appear directly above the original.
We are going to use this layer to color our drawing. To avoid confusion, we will rename it. To do this, double-click the layer name in the layers panel and rename it to Color. Press Enter to accept the change.
Move this layer above all layers. To do this, click on the layer and with the mouse button held down, drag the layer up until a white horizontal bar appears above the adjustment layer, then release the mouse button.
Step 15. Change the blending mode
Change the blending mode of this layer to Color (Chromaticity).
Step 16. Change the opacity
Finally, if the color looks too saturated, then you can mute the portrait photo in a pencil drawing in Photoshop by lowering it. Opacity (Opacity) layer. I will set to 65%.
The final result.
