Image to pencil sketch (Photoshop tutorial) - sequence not working

[Mondolini]

Hi all -

I found an interesting (but horribly produced) YouTube video which shows how you can convert a photo into a pencil sketch - but with Photoshop. Because I was recently asked to do something very similar to what is shown in this video with Affinity Photo - but couldn't figure it out - I thought I try to emulate this with AP. Things are still not working for me.

Find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MticYzYkofw

This is the sequence written out - and I'll stop where things no longer work for me:

1. Duplicate image
2. Reduce saturation entirely, which converts the image into black/white (grey scale)
3. Invert the image
4. Set the blend mode to colour dodge (turns the image white)
5. Apply Gaussian Blur (at 1.25 in the video)

At this point the video shows that the image reappears. It doesn't for me. Can anyone tell me what I could do to make it so?

Much appreciated - Raymond

[telemax]

Welcome to the Affinity Forums!

In this short tutorial the most basic steps, maybe it will help:

 

[Ron P.]

4 hours ago, Mondolini said:

Hi all -

I found an interesting (but horribly produced) YouTube video which shows how you can convert a photo into a pencil sketch - but with Photoshop. Because I was recently asked to do something very similar to what is shown in this video with Affinity Photo - but couldn't figure it out - I thought I try to emulate this with AP. Things are still not working for me.

Find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MticYzYkofw

This is the sequence written out - and I'll stop where things no longer work for me:

1. Duplicate image
2. Reduce saturation entirely, which converts the image into black/white (grey scale)
3. Invert the image
4. Set the blend mode to colour dodge (turns the image white)
5. Apply Gaussian Blur (at 1.25 in the video)

At this point the video shows that the image reappears. It doesn't for me. Can anyone tell me what I could do to make it so?

Much appreciated - Raymond

What I found is that the HSL used for reducing the saturation needs to be above the stack, not nested (child layer). The Gaussian Blur Filter must be nested, a child layer for it to work according to the PS tutorial.

That said, you'll have much more luck following the tutorial posted by Telemax.

[Granddaddy]

There are several tutorials on using APhoto to convert a photo to a pencil sketch. There are even macros that do the work automatically.

Five years ago, Affinity Revolution posted 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AesJUS2yO2c

Later they posted this for iPad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmZ8plGOhdg

A pencil effect macro from R C-R based on this video was discussed in the forums.
https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/56560-pencil-effect-macro/

There are several more recent pencil sketch tutorials available:

From Affinity Tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vbAQVppQyo

From Hubert Van den Borre (including links to macros)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbELK6uFHBI

InAffinity shows full color pencil sketch from a photo and conversion to impressionist art
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N37cUi73ZxM

and a water color splash and pencil sketch effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCj1iL_5Ntc

and a colored pencil effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koo6u1ugrQ4

IAMRENSI's Pencil Sketch drawing effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JYk56Dlfyc

Michael Wilson describes five effects used on a photo transformed to a pencil sketch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSN7RW0mlag

Those who want an automated solution might want to download the free FotoSketcher program that produces a wide range of effects from photos.

 

 

[Mondolini]

Thanks to all of you for your help here. Not exactly my style of working but I have a client who would like me to put a few images like this for her together. 

 

You've been super helpful. Cheers - M