Create Perfect
Tracing Outlines

Transform photos into invisible reference guides that disappear completely under your artwork.

Sketchso is a free online photo to sketch converter that transforms your images into light sketch outlines perfect for any art medium. Use our tool to turn any picture into a line drawing guide in seconds – ideal for pencil drawing, colored pencils, markers, watercolor, oil painting, acrylics, charcoal, or any creative medium. Create invisible tracing outlines that completely disappear under your artwork, giving you professional results that look authentically hand-drawn.

Capture

Sketch

Create

Currently Free - No Watermarks

Upload Your Photo

Choose any photo to transform into a perfect tracing outline. Works best with clear subjects and good contrast.

Drag and drop your image here, or click to select

Maximum file size: 5MB

Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP

High Quality

Use clear, well-lit photos for best results

Any Subject

Portraits, pets, objects, landscapes - all work great

Instant Results

Get your tracing outline in seconds

Perfect for Every Artist

Professional Results forEvery Medium

Create invisible tracing guides that disappear completely under your artwork, making it appear you drew everything from scratch.

Pencil & Drawing

12% opacity guides perfect for graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, and all drawing mediums

Paint Mediums

8-10% opacity outlines that vanish under watercolor, acrylic, oil, and gouache

Markers & Ink

12% opacity references ideal for markers, pens, and ink illustrations

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about creating invisible tracing outlines

How is Sketchso different from a photo filter?

Unlike filters that simply apply effects, Sketchso creates true invisible tracing outlines optimized for any art medium. Our outlines are designed to completely disappear under pencil, colored pencils, markers, paint, charcoal, or any creative medium, giving you authentic hand-drawn results rather than digital-looking effects.

Will the outline be visible after painting?

No! Our invisible tracing outlines are specifically calibrated to disappear completely under your chosen medium. Light mediums like watercolor use 8% opacity, medium coverage like oil painting uses 10%, and heavy coverage mediums like pencil, colored pencils, or markers use 12% - all designed to vanish entirely under your artwork.

What's the difference between this and regular photo tracing?

Traditional photo tracing often leaves visible lines or requires erasing. Sketchso creates ultra-light reference guides that act as invisible scaffolding - they guide your hand but disappear completely, leaving only your authentic artwork visible.

Can I use this for commercial artwork?

Yes! All sketches created with Sketchso are yours to use commercially. There are no watermarks, usage restrictions, or licensing fees. Perfect for professional artists, art businesses, and commercial projects.

What file formats can I upload?

Sketchso accepts JPG, PNG, and most common image formats. For best results, use high-resolution photos with good contrast. The tool works with portraits, pets, landscapes, still life, and any subject matter.

What art mediums work with invisible tracing outlines?

Sketchso works with virtually any art medium! Perfect for pencil drawing, colored pencils, graphite, charcoal, pastels, watercolor, acrylic paint, oil paint, gouache, markers, ink pens, and more. The outlines are calibrated to disappear under light mediums (8% opacity), medium coverage (10%), or heavy coverage mediums (12%). Learn more about the technique.

Do I need to create an account?

No account required! Sketchso is completely free to use with no signup, registration, or personal information needed. Simply upload your photo and start creating professional tracing outlines instantly.