Sketch, Cartoon, and Watercolor Actions

Descriptions marked with an Image iconimage icon link to a web page, snapshot or rollover of the effect.
Descriptions marked with an Info iconinfo icon link to a PDF or webpage set of instructions.

B&W Sketch, Sharon Lee Core, 7/13/2004 BW Sketch example image

Two sketch actions, one requiring little user intervention, the other offering a bit more tweaking.

Caricature Sketch, Sharon Lee Core, 12/2//2004 Caricature example image

File contains the action and a Word doc explaining how to use Liquefy to create caricature and suggestions for finishing it  caricature image after running the action.

Cartoon Action, Maureen Barberio and Sharon Lee Core, 9/26//2004

Turns a photo into a cartoon or comic.

Colored Sketch, Sharon Lee Core, 7/11//2004 Colored sketch example image

Incorporates advice from Danny Raphael and others. Run it on an appropriate image and follow the steps in the action.

Comic Effect Action, A90Six, 7/28/2007

This comic effect for his son works in CS2+ and must be used on an 8-bit image.

Comix Actions, Andy Purviance, 2/15//2004

Two actions—monochrome and color— turn photos into comic book images with an outline, shadow and a blank layer to paint in solid colors. Image size affects detail level.

Dave's Sketch, Dave Jaseck, 8/11/2004 Dave's sketch example image

Set contains a straight line sketch and a version that adds back some color for a Currier and Ives look.

Flaming Text, Shannon Beauford, 6/22/2008 Flaming Text example image

Creates a flaming effect from text. Difficulty level is intermediate to expert. Good teaching tool if you don't know how to use liquify and magic wand tools.

Kent's Sketch and Charcoal Smudge, Kent Christiansen, 9/6/2007 Kent's Sketch & Charcoal Smudge example

Sketch and charcoal smudge action set with separate versions for CS3, CS/CS2 and PS7, which do not. Archive contains a PSD file that contains the texture and a readme file with instructions. Mike Warren provided workflow help.

Mitch's Sketch Action, Mitchell Weitz, 2/17//2004 Mitch's sketch action

Good basic sketch action.

Painting Action, Ben Morales-Correa, 6/23/2007 Painting Action example

Combination of filters and blend modes quickly turns a photo into a fine work of art. PS7+. Follow the tutorial. Tutorial at BMC PhotoArt website

Pen & Ink, Tom Bennett, 9/26/2004 Pen & Ink example image

Turns a photograph into a pen and ink drawing.

Photosketch, Shannon Beauford, 7/23/2008 Photosketch example rollover

Adds a sketch layer to a photo, while retaining the properties of both. Great portrait effect.

Rough Pastels, Sharon Lee Core and Isabel Cutler, 11/15//2004 Link to Sharon Lee Core's web page

Applies a rough pastels technique to an image in an action Sharon and Isabel worked on together. Further examples

Sewn Body Parts, Shannon Beauford, 10/5/2009 Travolta examole inage

Just in time for Hallowe'en, this action allows you to conduct Dr. Frankentstein's surgery on any image in your collection. Spooky!

Sheri's Sketch Action (PS) 2.1 Sheri's sketch action example
Sheri's Sketch (PSE) 2.1, Sheri Pierce, 2/3/2004

Sketch actions in CS+, PS6+ and PSE versions. PS set contains three versions. Archive includes readme file.

Twirling Abstract Art, Shannon Beauford, 6/21/2008 Twiirling abstract art example

Turns an image into abstract art. Try it in on "not so good photos you would normally dump."

Watercolor, Shannon Beauford, 6/21/2008 Shannon's watercolor example

Designed for a high resolution image, this action allows you to render your file as a watercolor.

Watercolor, Erick Nguyen, March 1, 2005  Watercolor example
Watercolor for PSE 3.0, Erick Nguyen, Conchita, and Bob Jones

Helps you to create a beautiful watercolor effect from any image. dpreview tutorial provides instructions.

Watercolor Tint Action, Ben Morales-Correa, 1/6/2008 Watercolor tint example

Converts a photo into a tinted illustration, class watercolor technique used to brush hues and values over an ink drawing. PS 7+. Archive contains instructions. BMC Photo Art website link

Back to Top