Pencil Sketch Tutorial

Take any photo or artwork and create a pencil sketch as detailed or shaded as you want with a few simple steps.

If you're going to print the sketch out on an inkjet printer, create a new file the size of your print at 300 ppi with a white background. Create a new layer and import or copy your photo on this layer. Resize the photo to fit into the area of the background size. Elements will automatically adjust the resolution of the photo to print quality.

Change the picture to black and white 'Image | Mode | Greyscale', then duplicate it or drag and drop it into the duplicate layer icon on the layers palette. Then, invert the image to a negative, 'Image | Adjustments | Invert' or just hit ctrl + I.

Now select 'color dodge' on the layer palette under the layer blend mode. Then use 'Filter | Blur | gaussian blur' which will bring up a settings box. Move the slider to a radius of about 5 to see the sketch appear.

Adjust the radius for the quality of the sketch that you want. The higher settings will give you a more polished blended sketch look and the lower settings will give you fewer shades for a quick or rough sketch look.