How to Make a Color Image Look Like a Sketch in Photoshop

This wikiHow teaches you how to make a color image look more like a sketch using Adobe Photoshop.

Part 1
Part 1 of 6:

Preparing the Image

  1. Image titled Make a Color Image Look Like a Sketch in Photoshop Step 1
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    Open an image in Photoshop. To do so, double-click on the blue app icon that contains the letters "Ps," click on File in the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on Open... and select the image.
    • Original images with higher contrasts allow for a more realistic sketch effect.
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    Click on Layers in the menu bar.
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    Click on Duplicate Layer… in the drop-down and click on OK.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 6:

Adding Shadows

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    Click on Background copy in the Layers window on the right side of the screen.
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    Click on Image in the menu bar.
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    Click on Adjustments in the drop-down.
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    Click on Invert in the drop-down.
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    Click on Filter in the menu bar.
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    Click on Convert for Smart Filters in the drop-down and click on OK.
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    Click on Filter in the menu bar.
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    Click on Blur in the drop-down.
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    Click on Gaussian Blur… in the drop-down.
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    Type 30 in the "Radius:" field and click on OK.
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    Click on the "Normal" drop-down in the Layers window.
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    Click on Color Dodge.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 6:

Changing to Black & White

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    Click on the "Create new fill or adjustment layer" icon. It's a half-filled circle at the bottom of the Layers tab.
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    Click on Black & White….
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    Click on ⏩ in the upper-right corner of the dialog box to close it.
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    Click on Select in the menu bar, then click on All.
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    Click on Edit in the menu bar, then click on Copy Merged.
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    Click on Edit in the menu bar, then click on Paste.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 6:

Adding Heavy Lines

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    Click on Filter in the menu bar, then click on Filter Gallery….
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    Click on the "Stylize" folder.
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    Click on Glowing Edges.
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    Slide the "Edge Width" slider all the way to the left. It's on the right side of the window.
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    Slide the "Edge Brightness" to the middle.
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    Slide the "Smoothness" slider all the way to the right.
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    Click on OK.
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    Click on Image in the menu bar.
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    Click on Adjustments in the drop-down.
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    Click on Invert in the drop-down.
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    Click on the "Normal" drop-down in the Layers window.
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    Click on Multiply.
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    Click in the "Opacity:" field in the upper-right of the Layers window.
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    Set the opacity to 60%.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 6:

Adding Detail Lines

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    Click on Select in the menu bar, then click on All.
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    Click on Edit in the menu bar, then click on Copy Merged.
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    Click on Edit in the menu bar, then click on Paste.
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    Click on Filter in the menu bar, then click on Filter Gallery….
    • Do not select the "Filter Gallery" option at the very top of the "Filter" drop-down menu, this re-applies the most recenly used filter from the Filter Gallery.
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    Click on the "Brush Strokes" folder.
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    Click on Sumi-e.
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    Adjust the brush strokes. Set "Stroke Width" to 3; "Stroke Pressure" to 2; and "Contrast" to 2.
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    Click on OK.
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    Click on the "Normal" drop-down in the Layers window.
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    Click on Multiply.
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    Click in the "Opacity:" field in the upper-right of the Layers window.
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    Set the opacity to 50%.
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Part 6
Part 6 of 6:

Adding Paper Texture

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    Click on Layers in the menu bar.
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    Click on New… in the drop-down then click on Layer….
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    Click on the "Mode:" drop-down and click on Multiply.
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    Click on OK.
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    Press Ctrl+← Backspace (PC) or ⌘+Delete (Mac). This fills the layer with a white background color.
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    Click on Filter in the menu bar, then click on Filter Gallery….
    • Do not select the "Filter Gallery" option at the very top of the "Filter" drop-down menu, this re-applies the most recenly used filter from the Filter Gallery.
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    Click on the "Texture" folder.
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    Click on Texturizer.
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    Click on Sandstone in the "Texture:" drop-down. It's on the right side of the window.
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    Change the "Relief" setting to 12 and click on OK.
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    Click in the "Opacity:" field in the upper-right of the Layers window.
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    Set the opacity to 40%.
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    Save your image. Do so by clicking on File in the menu bar and Save As…. Name your file and click on Save.
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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
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Co-authors: 52
Updated: September 15, 2021
Views: 783,893
Categories: Featured Articles | Adobe Photoshop | Photo Craft Projects
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