How To Turn a Photo into Line Art: Simplifying Complex Visuals

At Sketch Group, our mission is to make complex ideas simple. But let’s be honest—sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Whether we’re developing explainer videos, designing strategy posters, or capturing live events as graphic recorders, we encounter moments where even the most experienced visual communicators need a bit of extra help. One of the ways we simplify our work is by turning a photo into a line drawing. And we’re not shy about sharing this not-so-secret part of our process.

You see, visual communication isn’t about creating art for art’s sake—it’s about communicating effectively. And sometimes, when you’re sketching a scene that involves a figure needing a very specific pose, an unusual inanimate object, or an animal that you haven’t had much experience in drawing before, using a photo as a reference can be a lifesaver.

How We Turn an Image Into Line Art Without Losing Our Style

Picture this: We’re working on an explainer video storyboard and need to illustrate a dancer mid-pirouette. Capturing the elegance of the outstretched arms, the graceful spin of the body, and the perfect alignment of the feet—all while keeping the pose dynamic and fluid—can be incredibly challenging. 

Or consider needing to draw a galloping horse, with its muscles rippling, mane flowing, and hooves suspended mid-air. Unless you’ve spent a lot of time drawing this type of scenario, creating this image from memory can be very difficult, time-consuming, and may end up missing the mark. 

So, we use reference photos. Not just to look at—as a guide for where to put our first lines. And with products like Google Image search being able to serve up almost any composition you can think of, the tools are there to be used.

Here’s the thing though: we don’t aim for photorealism. We’re not copying the image. For example, in our world of visual storytelling, it’s often more powerful to have intentionally skewed figures, where proportions and dimensions are exaggerated to serve the narrative. What we’re after is the essence of the pose or object, not a carbon copy of reality.

Here’s how it works in practice: 

1. We open the photo in our favourite drawing app, such as Procreate, Photoshop, or Illustrator.
2. Next, we’ll set the transparency of the photo to around 30-40% (Note: if you’re working old-school, with pens or markers, you can place a sheet of 80 GSM paper over the top of your image).
3. On a new layer, we trace the basic lines of our shape, so we essentially turn the image into line art. Reducing the transparency of the original image makes it easier to see our lines as we draw. This line art becomes our first rough sketch—a starting point that we can simplify, exaggerate, or transform to fit the style we’re going for (sometimes we’ll even use a “blue pencil” brush to mimic the tools that traditional comic book artists once used).
4. We then hide the photo layer, so that only the line art is visible. Voila!
5. We might then repeat this process again, using the line art as the foundation image, and expand and build upon our sketch on another new layer. Having this second round of “tracing the guides” allows you to massage the image into your own style, rather than have it look like you’ve just traced a photo! (this is especially true for portraits where you want to portray some likeness).

If the anatomy of our hero’s body needs to be a bit wonky, or the expression on their face a touch surreal, we’ll adjust as we go. And when it comes to animals, using a photo as a starting point ensures that our visuals are recognisable, even if we put our own spin on them.

Turning an Image Into a Line Drawing for Objects

This approach isn’t limited to drawing people or animals. Sometimes, it’s useful to have some guidance to nail the angles of a bicycle, capture the silhouette of a tree, or get the proportions of a car just right. Even the most skilled illustrator can struggle to get details like this accurate from memory—especially if it’s not something they’ve ever drawn before. Being able to turn an image into a line drawing gives the illustrator a head start, which they can then refine and make their own.

The beauty of starting with photo-based line art is that it allows us to simplify or stylize our visuals while maintaining enough accuracy to be recognizable. If we need to make the wheels of a bicycle slightly oval or stretch a cat’s tail longer for comedic effect, we can do so confidently because we have a solid foundation.

Turning a Photo Into a Line Drawing Is About Efficiency and Clarity

We don’t see using photos in this way as cheating. In our line of work, efficiency and clarity are crucial. Our clients expect visuals that communicate effectively, and that often means using every tool at our disposal to make that happen. Turning an image into line art with this technique is just one way we ensure our work is polished and professional while still leaving room for creative expression.

In tools like Photoshop, Procreate, and Adobe Illustrator, reducing the opacity of a photo layer is a simple but powerful way to trace key elements. It lets us focus on the storytelling aspect of our visuals without getting bogged down in the details. And because we use this technique thoughtfully, we can adapt it to suit the unique visual style of each project.

Working Smart

The next time you see one of our detailed strategy posters or a perfectly balanced scene in an explainer video, know that there may be more to it than meets the eye. While our team is still pretty good at drawing lines from scratch, sometimes the help of a well-chosen photo can make sure our visuals are as impactful as they can be. 

Whether we’re looking to turn an image into a line drawing, simplify a complex pose, or portray an unusual composition, we believe in using every trick we can to create something meaningful. Our process is built on transparency, and we’re proud to share our trade secrets. 

Let us know in the comments if you find this technique useful!