You can doodle in ChatGPT now, and it’ll transform your drawings into polished images – how to try it
Lance Whitney/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways ChatGPT’s Sketch tool can turn your rough drawings into polished images. Just draw your sketch in ChatGPT and submit it to the AI for transformation. You can edit and share the generated image. My mom was an accomplished botanical and watercolor artist.…
Lance Whitney/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways ChatGPT’s Sketch tool can turn your rough drawings into polished images. Just draw your sketch in ChatGPT and submit it to the AI for transformation. You can edit and share the generated image. My mom was an accomplished botanical and watercolor artist. Sadly, I never inherited that particular talent from her. The best I can manage to draw are funny but crude cartoon figures. That’s why I was eager to try a new tool from ChatGPT that promises to transform my rough sketches into professional images. Part of ChatGPT Images 2.5, OpenAI’s latest imaging model, Sketch allows you to draw something directly in the chat window using a palette of different pencils and colors. When you’re done, just submit your sketch along with instructions on what to do with it. ChatGPT will then transform your drawing into something more polished. Also: I used a free, open-source AI tool to build a working app – in two days Sketch is accessible to all ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex users, so anyone can try it. You can access the tool at the ChatGPT website, the desktop apps, and the mobile apps. How to try ChatGPT Sketch Trending Now The most exciting AI wearable at CES 2026 might not be smart glasses after all 01/02/2026 I used a free, open-source AI tool to build a working app – in two days 09/08/2026 Eager to try iOS 27’s cool AI features and upgraded Siri? Get ready for usage limits 09/10/2026 To get started, just open a new chat window and type @Sketch to display the drawing window. From there, begin drawing your sketch using the available tools. If you need a helping hand, choose one of the built-in image templates, such as bobblehead, statue, anime, sticker, and icon. To do that, select Images on the left, choose Templates, pick the template you like, and then start drawing. The templates not only provide a certain look but add a description to flesh out the image and the scene. Also: Your AI vendor could land you in legal hot water – what business experts say you must do Beyond drawing a sketch, you’re able to add text and shapes, erase what you don’t want, and undo your last action. After the image appears, you can mark it up, add comments, erase certain parts of it, remove the background, and resize it. When done, download the image as a PNG file, copy a link to it, or share it on social media. My Sketch experiments Given my lack of artistic skills, I wanted to see what ChatGPT would do with some crude sketches I submitted. I tried a few drawings on my own without any assistance and started a couple using the built-in templates. Also: I asked ChatGPT Images 2.0 to redesign my app UIs – and wow In one drawing, I tried to create a person wearing a hat. ChatGPT interpreted the character as a turkey wearing a Pilgrim hat, which I thought was a great twist (although a sad commentary on my drawing abilities). Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET In another drawing, I created a person with frazzled hair, and ChatGPT turned that one into a fun cartoon character. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET For a third drawing, I started with the bobblehead template and then drew a crude figure, which ChatGPT converted into a bobblehead image of a soccer player, suitable for framing. Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Overall, ChatGPT transformed my amateurish sketches into creative images that I’d be happy to share with other people and even use for professional reasons. Show Comments Log In to Comment Log Out Community Guidelines Please accept cookies to view the comments powered by Disqus. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Lance Whitney Lance Whitney is a technology journalist with an IT background. He's written for TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, and Time, among others, He also teaches classes in AI, cybersecurity, and social media. See full bio The Latest from Lance The latest Windows 11 update may mess with your device’s audio – here’s the workaround Your older iPhone just got free satellite service for another year – here’s why Eager to try iOS 27’s cool AI features and upgraded Siri? Get ready for usage limits / featured I tested 9 vertical mice in my quest to reduce wrist pain – this $27 model beat them all