Photo to Sketch

There are a variety of ways to convert a photograph into a pencil sketch. And here's yet another, using the Difference blending mode, an Invert adjustment layer, and the Median filter. We'll demonstrate using PhotoSpin's image #0880017.

STEP 1
Open a copy of the image in Photoshop. If it has multiple layers, use the menu command Layer> Flatten Image. Convert to Grayscale. The simplest method is the menu command Image> Mode> Grayscale. For greater control of the image's grayscale appearance, you can use the Channel Mixer adjustment first, checking the Monochrome box and balancing the sliders. (For more on this technique, see "Photoshop User" magazine, October/November 2002, page 62.)

STEP 2
In the Layers Palette, drag the layer "Background" to the New Layer button to duplicate it. Change the upper layer's blending mode from Normal to Difference. The image will turn completely black because the pixels on the two layers are identical.

STEP 3
Add an Invert adjustment layer by clicking on the fourth button at the bottom of the Layers Palette and selecting Invert. (The button's icon is a half-black/half-white circle.) After adding the adjustment layer, click again on the layer "Background copy" (just below the adjustment layer).

STEP 4
Apply the filter Noise> Median. As you drag the slider, the "pencil sketch" will appear. After applying Median, you can again flatten the file and save.