Apply Pastel to images and videos online
Make a photograph feel softened and worked into a textured surface. Pastel combines uneven blur with layered texture and sharpening for a drawing-inspired finish that keeps some edges crisp.
Before
After
Ideas for using the effect
Soft portrait illustrations
Use gentle lighting and a close crop for a portrait with a tactile, drawing-like surface.
Floral artwork
Translate petals and broad leaves into soft color areas with visible texture.
Stationery graphics
Create image treatments for illustrated cards, journal covers, and personal invitations.
Painterly motion
Apply the same material-inspired finish to slow footage or a moving still-life study.
Made with this effect
More inspiration on Instagram @effect_app
Use Pastel in Photoshop, Figma or on your desktop
One account, the same effect everywhere.
In Photoshop
Apply it to a layer in Photoshop 2022 and later, on macOS or Windows. The plugin renders on your own GPU and hands the result back as pixels on a new layer.
get the Photoshop plugin →In Figma
Run it on images and frames without leaving the canvas. The Figma plugin is this same editor, pointed at whatever you have selected.
get the Figma plugin →On desktop
Install the macOS or Windows app when you want a window of its own, with your account and your presets already there.
download the desktop app →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply Pastel online?
Open the Pastel preset, add your image or video, and adjust the loaded effect layers to suit your source. Preview the result before exporting.
Does Pastel simply tint the photo with pale colors?
Its main treatment is structural: Texture Blur, two Layer Mix surfaces, and sharpening. The input colors still matter, so a bright photograph and a muted one can produce quite different results.
How do I make the finish softer?
Increase Texture Blur carefully or lower sharpening. Reduce the texture overlay opacity if the surface becomes too heavy, especially across smooth skin or a pale background.
What helps the image read as a drawing?
Choose clear shapes and a limited number of competing details. Broad areas of light and color leave room for the texture to show; a busy scene may still look busy after treatment.
How is it different from Pencil Drawing?
Pastel emphasizes soft, uneven color areas and surface texture. Pencil Drawing uses a more restrained print palette and grain to create a pencil-like finish. Compare both on the same crop.