Trick Photoshop

Turning an image into a sketch is easy enough in Photoshop. But here I will not turn the entire image into a sketch -- just a part of it. First a photo has to be turned into  sketch. Then we will regain part of the image as it looks. This tutorial can be done in all versions of Photoshop including Photoshop7.

This is the effect I will create.

I will be using this free stock image. You will find it here

It belongs to Giorgiacosplay

Step 1 : Press CTRL+J twice. This will make two copies of the Background layer -- Layer 1 and Layer 1 copy.

Step 2 : Press CTRL+SHIFT+U. This will desaurate Layer copy.

The image is desatuared.

Step 3 : Press CTRL+J. This will duplicate Layer 1 copy to Layer 1 copy 2. Press CTRL+I to invert.

The image looks like a negative.

Step 4 : Change the Blend Mode to Color Dodge.

The image turns completely white. If you are using some other image you might notice some black spots, This is normal.

Step 5 : Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur.

Step 6 : In the Gaussian Blur I have put the Radius at 15. This is not the rule. Anything that pleases you should suffice. It will also vary from image to image.

The image looks like this. It has been turned into a sketch.

Step 7 : With Layer 1 copy 2 highlighted press SHIFT and click on Layer 1.

All three layers are highlighted.

Step 8 : Press CTRL+G. All three Layers are now in Group 1 layer. Click the Add Layer Mask button. A Layer Mask forms on Group 1 Layer. The Blend Mode is set to Pass Through.

Step 9 : Change the Blend Mode to Normal.

Step 10 : Click the Gradient Tool. The Foreground Colors are set to Black/White which is the default. It is not press x and then d on the keyboard. At the top is the Gradient Editor.

Step 11 : In the Gradient Editor click on the Foreground to Background.

Step 12 : Here is the tricky part. I have dragged the Gradient only slightly near the waist. You will have to experiment to see the effect you want.

This is how my image looks.

Other photoshop tutorials are here