Effects — Art
Pencil sketch effect
Convert a photo into a pencil drawing with adjustable detail and darkness.
- Status
- Live
- Category
- Art
- Settings
- 2
What is the Pencil sketch effect?
Pencil sketch filters mimic graphite drawing: they pick out edges and shading in a photo and render them as soft strokes on pale paper. Detail decides how many fine lines appear, and Darkness sets how heavy the pencil feels.
Pencil sketches suit portraits, buildings and still lifes, and make a good base for adding colour or text later.
Pencil sketch settings
- Detail
- Darkness
Best photos for it
- Portraits
- Buildings and street scenes
- Still lifes and pets
Tips for better results
- Tip 01
Use photos with sharp focus for crisp lines.
- Tip 02
Lower detail for a loose sketch and raise it for a finished drawing.
- Tip 03
Increase darkness for a charcoal look.
Common questions
What photos make good sketches?
Sharp, well-lit photos with clear edges give the cleanest lines.
Similar effects
- Cross-hatchShade your photo with pen-and-ink cross-hatching. Adjust spacing, line width and angle for sketchbook and engraving styles.Available
- Linocut / engravingCarve your photo into engraved lines. Control line spacing, wave, wavelength and angle for linocut and engraving looks.Available
- StippleBuild your photo from thousands of tiny dots, like a pointillist ink drawing. Set density and dot size, and choose ink and paper.Available
Also searched as: Sketch filter, Pencil drawing effect, Photo to sketch.