Learn How to Draw Hair in 4 Simple Steps
Drawing hair can be one of the more challenging aspects of sketching, but with practice and the right techniques, you can achieve realistic results. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you draw hair in four simple steps.
Step 1: Sketch the Basic Shape
Start by outlining the overall shape of the hair.
- Identify the Hairstyle: Decide on the hairstyle you want to draw. Is it long, short, curly, or straight?
- Create a Silhouette: Lightly sketch the general outline of the hair around the head. Focus on the volume and flow rather than details at this stage. Use soft curves for flowing hair and sharper angles for styles like spikes.
Step 2: Define Sections and Strands
Once you have the basic shape, break the hair down into manageable sections.
- Parting Lines: Draw a line to indicate the parting of the hair. This helps establish the direction the hair flows.
- Sections: Divide the hair into sections based on how it naturally falls. For example, create separate areas for bangs, sides, and back.
- Strands: Add light, curved lines within each section to represent individual strands of hair. Remember that hair tends to clump together, so don’t draw every strand; focus on groups instead.
Step 3: Add Details and Texture
Now it’s time to refine your drawing with details and texture.
- Shading: Use shading to create depth and volume. Determine your light source and add darker shading to areas that would be in shadow. Typically, the underside of hair and the roots are darker.
- Highlights: Leave some areas lighter or add white highlights to represent light reflecting off the hair. This helps create a realistic shine.
- Refine Strands: Go over your lines, making them a bit sharper and more defined to give the hair more texture.
Step 4: Final Touches
Complete your hair drawing with final adjustments.
- Clean Up: Erase any unnecessary guidelines or stray marks from earlier steps.
- Adjust Shading: Make any necessary adjustments to your shading and highlights to ensure balance and contrast.
- Add Flow: If needed, enhance the overall flow of the hair by adding a few additional strands or adjusting the shape to make it feel more dynamic.