✏️ How to Create a Realistic Pencil Sketch Effect in Photoshop

[Claire H.]

Looking for a fun way to give your photos a hand-crafted feel? Try turning them into pencil sketches using just a few tools in Photoshop. This simple technique is great for portraits, architecture, or even still life — and it works with any photo you already have. No tablet or drawing skills required.

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Adobe Photoshop

This step-by-step guide walks you through how to create a pencil sketch effect that mimics real graphite lines and paper texture. Once you’ve tried it, share your results here in the community — we’d love to see your take on it.

Step-by-Step: Photo to Pencil Sketch

1. Duplicate Your Image: Duplicate your image layer and select the top layer and go to Image > Adjustments > Desaturate or use Command + Shift + U to make it black and white.

2. Invert Your Second Layer: Duplicate the desaturated layer. Then invert it using Command + I (or Control + I on Windows). Change the blend mode of the inverted layer to Color Dodge. Your image will probably turn white — don’t worry, that’s expected.

3. Add Gaussian Blur: Add a Gaussian Blur by going to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Adjust the radius until the lines start to resemble a pencil sketch. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast for more definition.

4. Combine Layers: Create a merged copy of the visible layers using Command + Shift + Option + E (or Control + Shift + Alt + E on Windows). Group and hide the original layers if needed. Convert the merged layer into a Smart Object.

5. Add Texture: Create a more realistic pencil texture with filters. Go to Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Try around 11% to simulate a realistic pencil texture. Then go to Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen and fine-tune the settings to bring out more detail.

6. Add a Paper Background: Add a paper texture from Adobe Stock or your own image. Set the texture layer’s blend mode to Multiply to give your sketch a realistic background.

Bonus Tip
To create a colored pencil effect, add the saturated photo under the pencil layer, change your pencil sketch layer’s blend mode to Luminosity and increase the saturation underneath it.

Give it a try and share your results here. Did you make any adjustments to get your perfect sketch effect? Let us know what worked for you.

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[creative explorer]

@Claire H. ohhh, this is going to be a cool tutorial with my classes!