I've just become interested in drawing as well as photography. Does anyone know of some decent software (preferably Freeware) that converts a photo to a good resemblance of a drawing. I've tried several with filters, the edge ones usually come nearest, but haven't found a really good one yet.

Dear Doug,

Prior to starting I got some tracing paper put an edge of masking tape round it on both sides, this stiffens it, then get a soft pencil and rub it all over. Then some lighter fuel on cotton wool and spread the graphite around the tracing paper. This makes very good 'carbon' paper that can be erased.

Then I print the photograph onto plain paper at the size I want to draw it, and draw around the outline with the 'carbon' paper between the pic and the drawing paper.

It works very well indeed 'all' you have to then is the shading or hatching. You may like to try Fabriano 5 to draw on it's slightly softer than Bristol board but will take a lot of erasing. You can buy it from Heaton Cooper in the Lake District.

Regards - Jim Read