Table of Contents
Use the Filter Library to quickly generate line drafts
Use channels to extract high contrast lines
Combined with "overlapping mode" to enhance details (tricks)
Home Web Front-end PS Tutorial How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop

How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop

Jul 17, 2025 am 02:24 AM
Line drawing

To convert photos into line drawings and operate in Photoshop, the key is to select the right tool and adjust the parameters. First, use the "Drawing Pen" or "Watercolor Paper" in the "Filter Library" to generate line drafts with one click, which is suitable for quick results; secondly, extract high contrast lines through "channel", copy the channel with the strongest contrast, and use "color level" or "curve" to enhance the contrast, and then invert the phase to obtain a finer line draft; finally, you can combine the "overlay mode" to add gray tone or texture to improve texture, pay attention to controlling the intensity to avoid covering the line draft. Select the appropriate method according to the photo type, recommend the channel method for portraits, and use the filter method for landscape photos. Pay attention to adjusting the brightness comparison in advance during the process to improve clarity.

How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop

It is actually not difficult to convert photos into line drawings in Photoshop. The key is to choose the right tools and adjust the parameters. As long as you master the basic process, even beginners can quickly create clean and textured line effects.

How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop

Use the Filter Library to quickly generate line drafts

This is the most direct method, suitable for people who don’t want to adjust too many parameters. Photoshop comes with some filters that can produce line drawings with one click.

How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop
  • After opening the photo, go to "Image" > "Adjust" > "Desaturation" to make the picture black and white
  • Then click "Drawing Pen" or "Watercolor Paper" in "Filter" > "Filter Library" > "Art Effect"
  • Adjust the options "Stroke Length" and "Light and Dark Contrast" until you see a clear sense of line

Although this method is fast, the lines may not be fine enough and require manual repair in the future.


Use channels to extract high contrast lines

If you want cleaner and professional line drafts, it is recommended to use channels to operate. This approach takes advantage of the contrast differences between different color channels in the image.

How to turn a photo into a line drawing in Photoshop
  1. Open the Channel panel and see which channel has the strongest black and white contrast in red, green, and blue.
  2. Copy that channel as a new document
  3. Then use "color level" or "curve" to strengthen the contrast to make the lines more obvious
  4. Finally, I got a line draft similar to a pencil sketch.

This step is a little more complicated, but the effect will be more controllable than the filter.


Combined with "overlapping mode" to enhance details (tricks)

Many people feel that they look too peaceful and have no levels after finishing the line draft. At this time, you can use the overlay mode to add a little gray tone or texture.

  • Copy the processed line draft one layer
  • Change layer blending mode to "overlay" or "soft light"
  • You can add a little more "variety" or import a piece of paper texture material to make the picture more textured

Be careful not to overdo it, otherwise the line draft will be covered and you will not be able to see clearly.


Basically these steps. You can choose the appropriate method according to the type of photo, such as portraits are more suitable for the channel method, and the use of landscape filters is also good. The whole process is not too complicated, but there are several details that are easy to be ignored. For example, it is best to adjust the brightness comparison before desaturation, so that the subsequent line draft will be clearer.

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