Quick Color Sketch in Photoshop

This is quick tip how to convert continious tone image to color sketch in Adobe Photoshop. The beaty is that we will work with Smart Object and conversion will be non-destructive so you can keep experimenting.

First of course open image in Photoshop. Duplicate Background layer and convert it to Smart Object ( right/Cmd + click on layer and choose Convert to Smart Object). Set blend mode for Smart Object to Divide. Your image will become white or almost white.

At this point you can go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and experiment with Radius slider (1-10px) to achieve similar effect. Depend on image you use sometimes Blur filter is better choice and other times Filter Gallery which I will use works just fine. With Smart Object layer selected go to Filter > Filter Gallery. For this example I will use Paint Daubs filter with default settings. You can try any other filter like Crosshatch, Angled Strokes, Colored Pencil, Dry Brush and so on. After choosing filter click OK to confirm and exit Filter Gallery.

That’s it. Here is my result:

To control intensity of applied filter double click two triangles on the right side of filter name below Smart Object. That will open Blending Options dialog where you can lower Opacity slider.

You can keep experimenting with other filters and their settings, just double click on Filter Gallery (letters below Smart Object) to reopen Filter Gallery dialog.

Reference:
Photoshop / Filter basics

Bibliography:
The Hidden Power of Blend Modes in Adobe Photoshop

Product used in this tutorial: Adobe Photoshop CS6