In this tutorial we propose a technique to transform a photo into a high detail colored pencils drawing.

It is particularly
useful for architectural illustrations or for still life images.

- See the Sample Gallery

- Download the Free "Colored Pencils " Photoshop Actions Collection

Original image

Final image (click to enlarge)

1. Open the original photo.

2. Adjust the brightness and the contrast to achieve a well-

contrasted image.

You can also use the Hue/saturation control to obtain vivid

colors.

3. If the original resolution is not large enough, resize the image

to the desired dimension. For example, use a width of about
1000-1200 pixels.

5. To define the edges of the drawing, make a copy of the layer,

rename it 'Pen Edges' and apply the Smart Blur filter (Filter >
Blur > Smart Blur) with the following settings:

- Radius: 35
- Threshold: 80
- Quality: High
- Mode: Edge Only

Change the radius and Threshold parameter depending on your

picture.

6. Invert this layer (Ctrl + 'I') and apply a Gaussian Blur filter
(Radius = 1.1 pixel) to smooth the black edges. Change the layer
blending mode to 'Multiply' and set it to invisible.

6. Duplicate this layer ('Pen Edges'), rename this copy 'Pencil

Edges', go to Filter Gallery and apply these filters in sequence
(from the below to the above):

Smudge Stick (Filter > Artistic > Smudge Stick)

- Stroke Lenght: 0
- Highlight Area: 0
- Intensity: 0

Film Grain (Filter > Artistic > Film Grain)

- Grain: 2
- Highlight Area: 0
- Intensity: 0

Use the Auto Levels tool (Ctrl + Shift + 'L') and set the layer
blending mode to multiply.
Now set it to invisible.
7. Now we need to crfeate the colored base layer: go back to the
original layer, duplicate it, make sure it is below the other two
layers and apply the following filters:

Paint Daubs (Filter > Artistic > Paint Daubs)

- Size: 10
- Sharpness: 0
- Brush Type: Wide Blurry

Film Grain (Filter > Artistic > Film Grain)

- Grain: 9
- Highlight Area: 3
- Intensity: 1

Smudge Stick (Filter > Artistic > Smudge Stick)

- Stroke Lenght: 8
- Highlight Area: 0
- Intensity: 0

Film Grain (Filter > Artistic > Film Grain)

- Grain: 2
- Highlight Area: 0
- Intensity: 0

You should obtain something like the picture on the right.

8. Now use the Hue/Saturation and Brightness/Contrast tools to

change the general color range (see example on the right).

9. Set the other two layers to visible make sure they're above
the colored layer and you should obtain something like the final
picture on the right.

Click here to see the high-res final image.