With the mask selected, paint on the image and add the shading where you need it. You will now have a black mask.Ĭhange the brush opacity to 30% in the top tool options. Hold down Alt/Option as you click the new layer mask icon in the layers panel. We want an inverted mask (Hides everything) Select the top layer group and add a Layer Mask, but wait. Let’s target where this effect should go with a layer mask. Move the slider until you see the final shading. Blending the 2 Layer Groups together.Ĭhoose the top Group (not the pixel layer, but the group).Ĭhange the Blending mode to Darken, You can apply blending modes to groups as well as individual layers.ĭuplicate the Top layer blending mode once again for a 3rd group. Move the slider until you see some gentle shading Click on the group in the Layers panel and press Ctrl/Cmd+J. Select both black and white layers and press Ctrl/Cmd+G to place into a layer group.ĭuplicate the group. We now have a nice outline, but we want to add smooth shading, (this is where other tutorials usually stop). Move the amount slider just enough so that we get a nice thin, but clear outline around everything. The image is all white, this is normal and expected. Invert the top Black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+I)Ĭhange the Blending mode to Color Dodge (Click on Normal in the Layers panel) We now have 2 black and white layers Step 4 Step 1Ĭonvert the new layer to Black and White (Ctl/Cmd+Shift+U)ĭuplicate the black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J) How to turn your photo into a pencil drawing in Photoshop, step by step instructions. Link to grab the free Layer Blending mode ebook.Link to the photo I used, (you can use the watermarked version free).I suggest watching the video first, then use the written steps as easy reference so you don’t have ti remember everything.

We are going to create the fine lines of the outline as well as the smoother shading that is characteristic of a pencil drawing. But after many years, I have a much better way of doing it, check out the photo to Pencil Drawing tutorial here. In the past I have made a photoshop tutorial on turning a photo into a sketch.

Pencil sketch action photoshop