Turn a Photo into a Cartoon Effect in Photoshop
You’ll mask your subject, add a simple graphic background, and convert the setup to a Smart Object for non-destructive edits. Then you’ll stack Poster Edges, Oil Paint, and sharpening passes, add overlay outlines and High Pass detail, and finish with Levels, Vibrance, and a Color Lookup for a polished cartoon effect.
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare and size your image
Go to Image → Image Size; set the larger of Width/Height to about 2000 px; click OK.
Duplicate the layer: Ctrl/Cmd+J.
Select the subject and refine the mask
Select the Quick Selection Tool (W). Paint to add; hold Alt/Option to subtract; adjust with [ and ].
Click Add Layer Mask to mask the subject.
Right-click the mask → Select and Mask (Refine Mask).
Set View: On Black; increase Smooth and Contrast; slightly increase Radius; click OK.
Add background color and a wavy shape
Select the Background layer → Add Adjustment Layer → Solid Color → set to white → OK.
Select the Pen Tool (P). Options: Shape; Fill: #ffff29; Stroke: None.
Draw a wavy shape behind the subject.
Convert to Smart Object and duplicate
Select the subject, background, and shape layers.
Right-click → Convert to Smart Object.
Duplicate the Smart Object twice (Ctrl/Cmd+J) for three total copies.
Hide the top two; work on the bottom copy first.
Stylize the base layer (bottom copy)
Filter → Filter Gallery → Artistic → Poster Edges: 0, 0, 2 → OK.
Filter → Sharpen → Unsharp Mask: Amount 90%, Radius 5 px, Threshold 10 → OK.
Filter → Stylize → Oil Paint (or Filter → Oil Paint): Stylization 4, Cleanliness 3, Scale 0.1, others 0 → OK.
Filter → Sharpen → Unsharp Mask: Amount 60%, Radius 5 px, Threshold 5 → OK.
Rename to Base.
Add extra outlines (middle copy)
Show and select the middle copy.
Filter → Filter Gallery → Artistic → Poster Edges: 0, 3, 6 → OK.
Filter → Oil Paint with the same settings → OK.
Set Blend Mode: Overlay; Opacity: 25%.
Rename to Outlines.
Enhance detail with High Pass (top copy)
Show and select the top copy.
Filter → Other → High Pass: Radius 2 px → OK.
Set Blend Mode: Overlay.
Rename to High Pass.
Fine-tune with adjustments
Add Adjustment Layer → Levels; adjust sliders for contrast.
Add Adjustment Layer → Vibrance; increase Vibrance/Saturation to taste.
Add Adjustment Layer → Color Lookup; choose 3Strip.look; reduce Opacity to ~50%.
Group layers and toggle visibility to compare before/after.
