Dramatic pencil drawing effect using Photoshop

Photoshop has some amazing filters available in the Filter Gallery. However, you don't always get the look you want by using these filters.
Let's take a look at how you can quickly turn any photo into a realistic pencil drawing with  just a few steps in Photoshop.  Follow these steps below:

• Open your photo and make a duplicate layer by using CNTRL/CMD J
• Desaturate the new layer with Image>Adjustments>Desaturate
• Consider adjusting the image even more using Image>Adjustments>Black & White
• Duplicate this black and white photo layer with CNTRL/CMD J
• Invert this new black and white layer with CNTRL/CMD I
• Your photo will look like a negative
• At the top of the layer menu change the blend mode to Color Dodge
• The image will appear completely or almost completely white
• Go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur and adjust the slider until you get the desired pencil effect (shown below)

That's it! Enjoy!