How do I turn a photo into a pencil sketch online?

Upload your photo to PicTools.AI and generate with the Sketch filter selected. The example above turns a color portrait into a black-and-white drawing with pencil lines and shaded detail.

Is the Sketch filter free?

You can try PicTools.AI with a limited free allowance. Continue in the app to check the allowance available to your account. More edits require a credit pack or subscription.

Does the Sketch filter make a color or black-and-white drawing?

The example above is black and white, with fine pencil lines around the hair, face and clothing. The generated drawing can interpret details differently from the original photo.

Will the pencil sketch look exactly like my photo?

The example keeps the portrait composition, hairstyle and smile, but redraws the features as lines and shading. Compare your result with the source photo before using it.

How is Sketch different from Ugly Drawing?

In the displayed examples, Sketch has detailed black-and-white linework and shading. Ugly Drawing is a rough color cartoon with oversized eyes and teeth.

Sketch AI Filter

Turn your portrait into a pencil sketch

Upload your photo

Drag and drop, or choose a file from your device.

Before & After: Sketch Filter

Example: left, color portrait; right, black-and-white pencil sketch. Drag to compare.

Before

After

Tap to compare

What this filter changes

Turn a portrait into a pencil drawing. In the example above, the photo becomes a black-and-white sketch with fine contours, hatched shading and paper-like texture around the same smiling subject.

Try it for: A pencil-style portrait. Use the black-and-white drawing as a profile image or a reference for a hand-drawn look.

How to use this filter

Upload here, then continue in the editor.

1. Upload a portrait
Start with the photo you want to turn into a drawing.
2. Generate the sketch
The Sketch filter opens already selected in the editor; generate to see the pencil-style result.
3. Review and export
Compare the face, hair and shaded areas with the original, then choose a download option in the app.