Unfortunately the Poster Edges filter also brings out some nasty texturing in the detailed areas of the photograph, so we’ll add a couple of filters to remedy them. This filter adds some dark outlines similar to sketch lines. Find the Poster Edges effect under the Artistic category and set the values to 0 Edge Thickness, 1 Edge Intensity and 6 Posterization. Go to the Filter menu, then choose Filter Gallery. Apply it under the Filter > Stylize > Oil Paint menu, then set the parameters to 2.0 Stylization, maximum Cleanliness at 10, 0 Scale and Bristle Detail, then no Lighting effects. The Oil Paint filter is a great tool for smoothing out the details. Go to Image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights and increase the shadows value to around 35% to brighten the darkest areas. To allow the subsequent filters to define the edges of the subject, it first needs brightening. Before making any changes, convert the image into a Smart Object so all the edits are applied non-destructively. I’ll be using this photograph of “Beautiful Woman” by Daniel Dash on Shutterstock as an example for this tutorial, but the effect will work with any image. All the Photoshop filters that are used each play an important role in smoothing out the details, outlining edges and creating colourful shading effects to achieve a bold art style. This effect can be applied to any image to transform a real photograph into an illustrated cartoon graphic.

Cartoon filters for photos