Creat an artsy sketch effect with Photoshop

Ever wondered how they apply that sketch/painting effect on a photo? Check it out.

Open a picture you want to "paintinize".

I'm going to use a picture of the lovely Claire Forlani.

Press Ctrl + J 3 times, to create 3 copies of the original layer.

Select the upper most layer, if it not already selected.

In the menu click Image, Adjustements and choose Desaturate.

The layer turned black and white.

Press Ctrl + J to duplicate the black and white layer.

In the menu click Image, Adjustements and choose Invert.

Select the Color Dodge as a blending mode (see picture).

If you followed the steps correctly your picture should now be white.

In the menu click Filter, Blur and choose Gaussian Blur...

In the new settings window play around with the Radius, when you're satisfied with the result, click OK.

I've set it to 11.1 pixels.

Now select the second layer from top (see picture).

Set the Opacity to 60% (see picture).

This is how it should like at this point.

Now select the third layer from the top (see picture).

In the menu click Filter, Brush Strokes in izberite Angled Strokes...

Set the settings like I did and click OK.

Set the blending mode of the layer to Multiply (see picture).

Now select the next layer.

In the menu click Filter, Sketch and choose Chalk & Charcoal.

Choose the same or similar settings as I did and click OK.

Set the layer's blending mode to Color (see picture).

Now select the third layer from top.

In the menu click Image, Adjustment and choose Brightness/Contrast.

Choose the appropriate settings for your picture and click OK.

That's it, you like?