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royl34809159
Participant
August 14, 2025
Question

I still use Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 - need clear instructions converting a photo to a sketch

  • August 14, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 700 views

I'm having difficulty tranferring a photo to a sketch using Photoshop Elements 2022, my attempts using on line help and you tube have been disapointing,   need help moving forward

 

[Mod: Moved to the Photoshop Elements forum]

 

3 replies

Glenn 8675309
Legend
August 14, 2025

In pse 2022 there is a line drawing guided edit. 




HAve you tried FILTER>FILTERY GALLERY?  lots of options there.



Not sure what "online help" you were using- but this is a 100% google response: and it's pretty accurate. 

1. Prepare your image
  • Open your image in Photoshop Elements.
  • Duplicate the background layer by pressing Ctrl+J (Windows) or Cmd+J (Mac). This keeps your original image safe.
  • Hide the original background layer (by clicking the eye icon next to it in the Layers panel). 
 
2. Convert to black and white
  • Select the duplicated layer.
  • Go to Enhance > Convert to Black and White.
  • Choose a preset or manually adjust the sliders to get the desired black and white look, then click OK. 
 
3. Invert and blend
  • Duplicate the black and white layer again (Ctrl/Cmd+J).
  • Invert the colors of this new top layer by going to Filter > Adjustments > Invert or pressing Ctrl/Cmd+I. The image will appear like a photographic negative.
  • Change the blending mode of this inverted layer to Color Dodge in the Layers panel. The image should now appear mostly white. 
 
4. Apply Gaussian blur
  • With the top layer still selected, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
  • Adjust the Radius slider to achieve the desired sketch effect. A radius between 25 and 35 is often a good starting point. A higher radius results in a softer, more charcoal-like sketch, while a lower radius gives a sharper, fine-lined look. 
 
5. Refine with levels
  • Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels.
  • Click OK without checking the "Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask" checkbox.
  • Move the middle slider (gamma) to the right in the Levels adjustment panel to darken the blacks and increase the contrast of your sketch. Adjust until you achieve a good range of tones. 
 
6. Optional: Clean up and add texture
  • Create a new layer above your levels adjustment layer.
  • Select the Brush tool (B) and, while holding Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac), click on a white area of your sketch to sample that color.
  • Use the brush to paint over any unwanted details or areas you want to soften. You can also use a soft-edged brush to clean up edges.
  • To add a paper texture, you can explore the Filter Gallery or use a texture image and blend it with your sketch layers, according to Adobe Community. 
These steps will help you create a beautiful pencil sketch effect from your photos in Photoshop Elements 2022. 
barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 14, 2025

This link has instructions for transferring a photo to a sketch using LPhotoshop Elements.

https://www.google.com/search?q=photoshop+elements+turn+photo+into+sketch&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS980US980&oq=photoshop+elements+turn+photo+into+sketch&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBwgFEAAY7wUyCggGEAAYgAQYogTSAQg4NjY0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

If you are not satisfied with the results, it might be because the photo you're using is not a good candidate for transferring to sketch.

Legend
August 14, 2025

I found plenty of tutorials on the web when I searched for "convert photo to sketch in pse."

Try this one: How to turn photos into pencil sketches using Photoshop.

 

Larry