![](https://photo-techniques.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-30.png)
HOW TO USE THE NEW AND IMPROVED SKETCH EFFECT IN PHOTOSHOP TO TRANSFORM A PHOTO INTO A PENCIL DRAWING
![](https://photo-techniques.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-30.png)
THIS WORKS IN ALL PHOTOSHOP VERSIONS.
STEP 1
Duplicate the Layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J)
![duplicate layer](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_02.jpg)
STEP 2
Convert the new layer to Black and White (Ctl/Cmd+Shift+U)
![Black and white photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_03.jpg)
STEP 3
Duplicate the black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+J)
![Duplicate layers](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_04.jpg)
We now have 2 black and white layers
STEP 4
Invert the top Black and white layer (Ctrl/Cmd+I)
![Invert top layer](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_05.jpg)
STEP 5
Change the Blending mode to Color Dodge (Click on Normal in the Layers panel)
![Applying the blending mode](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_06.jpg)
The image is all white, this is normal and expected.
STEP 6
Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
Move the amount slider just enough so that we get a nice thin, but clear outline around everything.
We now have an etched effect
![blur to create a thin pencil outline from photo](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_07.jpg)
STEP 7. ADDING THE SHADING
We now have a nice outline, but we want to add smooth shading, (this is where other tutorials usually stop).
Select both black and white layers and press Ctrl/Cmd+G to place into a layer group.
![Stacking photoshop layers](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_08.jpg)
![create a later group in Photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_09.jpg)
STEP 8
Duplicate the group. Click on the group in the Layers panel and press Ctrl/Cmd+J.
![duplicate layer group in photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_11.jpg)
STEP 9
Choose the top layer in the top group
![open layer group](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_10.jpg)
Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
Move the slider until you see some gentle shading
![adding shading to out sketch effect](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_12.jpg)
STEP 10. BLENDING THE 2 LAYER GROUPS TOGETHER.
Choose the top Group (not the pixel layer, but the group).
![choose a later group in photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_13.jpg)
Change the Blending mode to Darken, You can apply blending modes to groups as well as individual layers.
![choose layer group](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_15.jpg)
Adjust the opacity for a nice match.
![adjust opacity](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_16.jpg)
STEP 11
Duplicate the Top layer blending mode once again for a 3rd group. (Ctrl/Cmd+J)
![choose layer group](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_15.jpg)
STEP 12
Choose the top layer in the top group
![open layer group, grab top layer](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_17.jpg)
Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur
Move the slider until you see the final shading.
![adding shading for pencil drawing from photo effect](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_18.jpg)
STEP 13. MASKING THE EFFECT
Let’s target where this effect should go with a layer mask.
Select the top layer group and add a Layer Mask, but wait. We want an inverted mask (Hides everything)
Hold down Alt/Option as you click the new layer mask icon in the layers panel. You will now have a black mask.
![Choosing top layer, to adjust opacity](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_19.jpg)
![](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_20-1.jpg)
STEP 14
Choose a soft edged brush (B key)
Select white as the foreground color
Change the brush opacity to 30% in the top tool options.
![choose a soft brush](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_22.jpg)
STEP 15
With the mask selected, paint on the image and add the shading where you need it. It’s fun painting in the shading.
![Paint in the effect](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_21.jpg)
![using layer masks in Photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_23.jpg)
This completes the basic effect. Lets enhance it
![final painted result](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_24.jpg)
XTRA CREDIT. ADDING EDGE SHARPENING.
a/ Select all the layers and Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E (Windows) Cmd+Option+Shift+E (Mac) to create a new composite layer on top
![stamp visible layer](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_25.jpg)
b/ Change the Layer Blending mode to overlay on the top layer
![Overlay Blending mode](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_26.jpg)
c/ Choose Filter>Other>High Pass
![High pass edge sharpening in photoshop](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_27.jpg)
d/ Adjust the amount until you are happy with the nice sharp Edges.
![photoshop pencil sketch final](https://photoshopcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/photo-pencil-drawing-photoshop_28.jpg)
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