How to convert images into sketches in GIMP

Part of the GNU community in the field of free software, GIMP - short for GNU Image Manipulation Program - provides a cost-effective and powerful solution that replaces other expensive photo editing software. like Adobe Photoshop, MacPhun Luminar or Corel PaintShop.

Like those programs, GIMP's tools allow you to cut, manipulate layers, edit colors and modify digital images. These tools include a collection of automatic filters that copy many graphic designs and art styles ranging from cartoons to oil paintings. You can download GIMP completely for free and use it on Windows, Linux and OS X platforms. As of August 2018, the latest version of GIMP is 2.10.6. A huge plus is that GIMP's basic visual interface is not too big on platforms and versions. Therefore, no matter which platform or version you choose, the process of converting images into sketches remains the same. To make a photo look like a sketch drawing with GIMP, you'll have to manipulate the software that comes with the software.

Sketch pictures

Click on the "File" menu of GIMP and the "Open" option to open the image you want to use to create a sketch. GIMP supports digital image file formats including JPEG, GIF, PNG and TIFF.

If you just want a specific part of the image to look like a sketch, select Free Select Tool from the toolbox (click "Tools" and select "New Toolbox" to make the toolbox appear). To use Free Select Tool , click and hold the left mouse button, then drag around the image to create a border. When you create a complete closed loop, the Line Drawing filter will only affect the area inside the border. Close the Free Select Tool and keep the image intact to prepare for the next transition.

Reduce the original color of the image to the basic colors

Click "Colors" (among the options like "File" and "Tools" in GIMP's top toolbar) and select "Posterize". The slider appears that allows you to reduce the total number of colors in the image - from 2 to 200 - finally helping GIMP easily convert visual data into sketched images. Adjust the slider to select fewer colors for less detailed sketches or more colors to increase image detail.

Make sure the "Preview" box is selected so you can see how moving the slider will affect your image and then press "OK" when you're done.

Apply filter

Now your image has been reduced to the basic colors and it looks great. Are you ready to apply sketching effect? Press the menu "Filters", then select "Artistic" and "Cartoon". The Cartoon filter menu gives you two options to adjust: Mask Radius and Percent Black. The lower the Radius mask, the effect on your photo. Increasing the Percent Black slider will create ink-like lines, giving the image a more bold and daring appearance, whereas this slider will create thin lines. than.

When you have adjusted the options to your liking, click "OK" to apply the filter.

Refine the appearance of the image

Although you can use sketching effects through GIMP's Cartoon filter, a few simple edits can help you get really good quality images.

Once again, Posterize can bring a pop-art style like a comic book, after eliminating it. This process is done by clicking "Colors", then selecting "Desaturate", to create a simple, high contrast black and white image. Also in the Colors menu , the "Brightness-Contrast" option opens the brightness and contrast slider. You can make general adjustments to make the final product more visual effects.

Good luck!

See more:

1. 8 best GIMP plugins and how to install them
2. How to use Paintbrush in GIMP
3. Create ghosts in Photoshop or GIMP