Turn low quality jpgs into sketches/art using PS?

[NoobwithaD20]

Hi there!


Sorry this might be the incorrect forum to post in, I was not sure. The Photography ART section seems to imply you can go take your own photos. In the case I am looking to do, it will be using pictures I have scanned into my computer already. I want to change them into looking like they are sketches or paintings.

Is this possible when starting out from medium-low quality pictures?

Thank you very much for your time,
- Noob

[byRo]

Hi Noob, welcome to RetouchPRO

(that username us going to look a bit queer after you've raked up a couple of thousand posts!)

Besides being possible it is actually a very good idea.
Instead of trying to get a low-quality photo to "look good" it is more more rewarding to turn this into good Art.


However...
If you start with a "good" photo, the Art part is usually acheived by simplifying the image.
If you start with a "bad" photo then you've got to put more in (and not take out)

So you will have to word a bit harder.

Hope that made sense,

Rô

[NoobwithaD20]

Originally Posted by byRo

Besides being possible it is actually a very good idea.
Instead of trying to get a low-quality photo to "look good" it is more more rewarding to turn this into good Art.


However...
If you start with a "good" photo, the Art part is usually acheived by simplifying the image.
If you start with a "bad" photo then you've got to put more in (and not take out)

Hmmm I didn't think about that one. I guess my next upgrade to my name would be Novicewitha20D?

The pictures I'll be working with will usually be about 640x480 or a little bit bigger.

I am using Photoshop 9 CS2 and I would like to learn how to do this.


What forum/tutorial would be the best to start with?

[Gary Richardson]

There's a few examples of how to create a sketch from a photo here

I find the second method allows you the most control.

[Swampy]

Noob... I have a couple video tutorials on my home page or in the tutorial forum of RTP. Just search the tutes on my name or see the link in my signature.

[plugsnpixels]

The nice thing about doing such photo art is the original pixels are so mushed around, it doesn't matter how lo-res the original is! And software such as the just-released GMX - PhotoPainter can nicely up-rez its own output.