From Color To Pencil Sketch Line Drawing - Affinity Photo Tutorial

Tony Carretti
8 Dec 202403:33

Summary

TLDRThis Affinity Photo tutorial demonstrates a quick and easy method to transform a full-color image into a pencil sketch. The video guides viewers step-by-step, starting with creating a new canvas and placing the image. It covers essential techniques such as rasterizing, duplicating layers, desaturating, inverting colors, applying color dodge blending, adding minimal blur, and using a threshold adjustment to refine details. The tutorial also explains grouping layers and adding a background gradient to complete the sketch effect. Designed for simplicity and efficiency, this guide allows users to achieve a polished pencil sketch from any image in just a few straightforward steps.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The tutorial demonstrates how to convert a full-color image into a pencil sketch using Affinity Photo.
  • 😀 Start by creating a new file at 1920 x 1080 resolution and placing your color image in the center.
  • 😀 Rasterize and trim the image before making any adjustments.
  • 😀 Duplicate the original layer to preserve it while making edits.
  • 😀 Apply a Saturation and Lightness adjustment to remove all color, turning the image black and white.
  • 😀 Duplicate the black-and-white layer and invert it using Command + I to create a negative effect.
  • 😀 Change the inverted layer's blend mode to Color Dodge, which initially makes the image details disappear.
  • 😀 Apply a minimum Gaussian Blur (around 2 pixels) to the inverted layer to reveal sketch-like details.
  • 😀 Use a Threshold adjustment to enhance the pencil sketch effect, adjusting the percentage to control detail and texture.
  • 😀 Experiment with blend modes like Hard Light or Soft Light to refine the final sketch appearance.
  • 😀 Group the layers to preserve the effect and rasterize/trim the group for final adjustments.
  • 😀 Optional: Add a blank pixel layer behind the sketch for a background, such as a gradient, to complete the composition.

Q & A

  • What is the first step in converting a full-color image to a pencil sketch in Affinity Photo?

    -The first step is to create a new file in Affinity Photo, setting the dimensions to 1920 x 1080.

  • How do you import an image into Affinity Photo for editing?

    -You import an image by going to File → Place, selecting the image file, and placing it in the center of the canvas.

  • Why is it necessary to rasterize and trim the image layer before editing?

    -Rasterizing and trimming converts the image into a pixel-based layer that can be edited directly, ensuring adjustments and filters work properly.

  • How do you remove the color from an image to create a black-and-white base?

    -Duplicate the rasterized layer, then apply a HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) adjustment and pull the Saturation all the way down.

  • What is the purpose of inverting the desaturated layer?

    -Inverting the layer creates a negative image, which is necessary for the Color Dodge blending step that helps produce the pencil sketch effect.

  • Which blend mode is used after inverting the layer and why?

    -The Color Dodge blend mode is used because it enhances highlights and helps generate the line-art appearance of a pencil sketch.

  • What role does the Gaussian Blur filter play in this process?

    -Gaussian Blur softens the inverted layer, controlling the visibility of lines and creating a smooth transition that contributes to the sketch look. A radius of about 2 pixels is recommended.

  • How can you refine the sketch lines and remove unwanted textures?

    -By applying a Threshold adjustment and adjusting the percentage (around 85%), you can control the level of detail and make the lines cleaner. Changing the blend mode to Hard Light can further refine the texture.

  • Why is it important to group the layers after completing the sketch effect?

    -Grouping the layers preserves the effect when moving or modifying layers, ensuring the pencil sketch appearance remains intact.

  • What optional step can be done to enhance the final presentation of the sketch?

    -You can add a blank pixel layer behind the sketch and create a gradient or add another image as a background to improve the overall visual presentation.

  • Can this technique work with any type of image?

    -Yes, this method can be applied to most images, though simpler images with clear lines generally produce cleaner pencil sketch results.

  • What is the main advantage of duplicating layers before applying adjustments?

    -Duplicating layers allows non-destructive editing, so the original image remains intact and changes can be adjusted or reverted easily.

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Related Tags
Affinity PhotoPhoto EditingPencil SketchDigital ArtTutorialBlack and WhiteImage EffectsGraphic DesignCreative ProcessStep-by-Step