Photo to Pencil Sketch

Convert a photo into a hand-drawn look. Choose pencil, charcoal, colour pencil or cartoon, adjust the strength, and save the result.

Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded Free, no sign-up Works on mobile
Choose a photo to turn into a sketch
or drag and drop, or paste with Ctrl+V

How to turn a photo into a sketch

  1. Choose a photo.
  2. Pick a style and adjust stroke width and darkness.
  3. Download the sketch as a JPG or PNG.

Features

  • Pencil sketch with the classic colour-dodge method
  • Charcoal with shading and paper grain
  • Colour pencil with adjustable colour
  • Cartoon with flat colours and outlines
  • Hold to compare with the original photo

Frequently asked questions

How does the pencil sketch effect work?

The photo is turned grey, a blurred negative is made, and the two are blended with a “colour dodge”. Flat areas turn white and edges stay dark, which looks like pencil lines.

Which photos make the best sketches?

Sharp, well-lit photos with a clear subject, such as portraits or buildings. Very dark or blurry photos give faint, patchy sketches; try raising Darkness.

Is the sketch saved at full size?

Yes, up to 4000 pixels on the long side. Larger photos are scaled down to that size so the browser does not run out of memory.

Are my photos uploaded?

No. Everything happens in your browser, so your photos never leave your phone or computer.

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