Step By Step Hair Drawing

If you want to learn how to draw hair, I'm hoping the step-by-step tutorials I'm sharing with you will teach you how to do so.
When you sketch, your drawing doesn't have to be perfect. The purpose of your sketches is to get your ideas out quickly.

We'll first look at an easy to follow method that is broken down into 4 distinct processes…

Drawing Hair – The Four-Step Approach (Easy Steps)

I may be defining this process as a four-step approach, however it's more like a three-step approach. The third and fourth steps are combined and are executed at the same time. Before we begin the process of drawing the hair, we need to be sure that the structure of the head is drawn in place. The structure of the head dictates the shape and flow of the hair and should be defined before we begin drawing the hair.

Step 1 – Define the Outer Contour of the Hair

Assuming that the structure of the head is in place, the first step is to define the outer contour or outline of the hair. This includes the lines that are formed as the hair overlaps the forehead, portions of the face, and the shoulders. In many cases, the hair lifts off of the cranium and may overlap much of the face. Of course, every head of hair is different and the contours that are drawn at this stage will be different for every subject.

Step 2 – Draw Shapes For The "Clumps" of Hair

As we draw the contour lines, defining the overall shape of the hair, we'll also draw smaller shapes for clumps of hair. Hair strands naturally collect and create a form (which is what I am referring to as a "clump").

It clearly doesn't make sense to draw every strand of hair. Not only would this take an incredible amount of time to accomplish, but it also would lead to very unnatural looking hair. Instead, we need to consider the hair as a form. We'll define the volume of these forms in the next step, but for now we'll concentrate on defining the shapes.

how to draw hair step by step, how to draw short hair, how to draw braided hair, how to draw cartoon hair, how to draw girl hair, how to draw hair cartoon, how to draw curly hair male, how to draw long hair.

Step 3 – Developing the Volume Through Value

We understand forms because of the manner in which light interacts and behaves on them. We understand light through the use of value. Therefore, we understand forms in a drawing through the use of value. Value is the darkness or lightness of a color. The placement of dark and light values on a subject inform us of the intensity of light and the nature of the form.

We must consider the values and tones that are observed within the hair and include them in our drawing in order to communicate the volume of the hair. In most cases, a full range of value is present. This means that we're likely to find the darkest darks, the lightest lights, and the middle values all within a head of hair.

Because of the nature of light, we can assume a few things…

Locations that recede will be darker in value.
Locations that protrude will be lighter in value.
No matter what the "color" of the hair, there will still be light and dark values.

We know that locations within the hair that are closer to the light source or extend out from the head are likely to "catch" more light. Naturally, this results in an area of lighter value.

We also know that areas that recede or are blocked from receiving light should be darker in value.

All hair colors will feature a full range of value. Blonds have locations of darker tone in their hair, and people that have black hair have areas that are almost white (highlights).

If we keep these things in mind, then we can assume that (in most cases) the parts of the hair and the areas around the face will be darker in value since these areas recede. We also know that highlights are most likely to be found on the top of the head, closest to a light source above.

To control the value fully, we'll start with a harder 2H pencil and develop the locations of darkest value, the mid tones, and the locations of light value. We'll do our best to preserve the areas of strongest highlight, allowing the white of the paper to do the work for us.

how to draw hair, how to draw curly hair, how to draw anime hair, how to draw realistic hair, how to draw hair anime, how to draw hair easy, how to draw male hair, how to draw boy hair.

Step 4 – Draw the Texture of the Hair

The texture of the hair is actually defined as the value is developed. So, the third and fourth steps of this process are addressed concurrently.

Texture, like form, is also defined largely through the use of value. Light values and dark values work together to inform us of the texture of the subject. High contrast between values with little transition or gradation often leads to the illusion of coarse texture.

Smooth transitions between values with even gradations often leads to the illusion of a smoother surface texture.

But there is more to texture than the relationships of tone and value. The surface of the paper, the medium used, and the manner in which it is applied are all contributing factors as to how the texture of the subject may be perceived by the viewer.

How to Drawing a Strand of Hair

As is the case with any subject that you draw, practice is important. The more that we practice with a particular subject, the better we understand it. Drawing a whole head of hair will give you lots of practice. However for some, the thought of doing this may be intimidating. Instead, it may be better to tackle a portion of the hair first. In this case, a single strand of hair will do

You may start by taking a photo of someone's hair – perhaps your own. Try to isolate one portion of the hair. Look for a defined collection hair that forms a shape.

how to draw hair, how to draw curly hair, how to draw anime hair, how to draw realistic hair, how to draw hair anime, how to draw hair easy, how to draw male hair, how to draw boy hair, how to draw hair step by step, how to draw wavy hair, how to draw short hair, how to draw braided hair, how to draw cartoon hair, how to draw girl hair, how to draw hair cartoon, how to draw curly hair male, how to draw long hair, how to draw black hair, how to draw wet hair.

Thanks for reading this article.