How To Draw Hair For Guys
Drawing hair for guys can be tricky. It’s important to get the proportions and details right, or it can end up looking off. You want to keep the hair natural looking and use the right techniques to create dynamic effects.
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a veteran illustrator, these tips can give you the confidence to bring your characters’ hairstyles to life. Let’s dive in and learn how to draw fantastic hair for guys!
Understanding Hair Texture
It all starts with understanding the different types of hair. Everyone’s is unique, and there are various textures, methods of styling, and characteristics that can inform your drawings. Guys tend to have thick, coarse strands that range from straight to wavy. So when you’re drawing, aim for thicker lines that have a sense of movement and depth.
It’s also important to remember that the way you draw the hair should make sense with the character’s hair type and style. A rugged-looking character will likely have shaggy locks, while a dapper guy likely has a tamer ‘do. Look at reference photos and pay attention to the texture of each character’s mane to get it right.
Adding Details
Gentlemen’s hairdos are often full of detail and dimension. To bring those details to life, use feathery strokes and study the hair’s highlights and lowlights. From waves to fringes and even mohawks, it’s essential to understand the underlying structure of the hair to make it look believable.
The direction of the strokes matters too. Depending on which way the hair flows, you’ll want to adjust your approach accordingly. If the hair is carefully swept to one side, for example, you should use longer and lighter strokes. To generate texture and volume, draw wavy lines in the opposite direction of the hair’s natural flow. Doing so will create a dynamic painting of movement and volume.
Adding Color
Once you’ve drawn the base shape and detail of the hair, it’s time to play with colors and shadows. This is where it gets really fun! You can add warmth and depth by blending colors in and out of each other. Think of shadows like stamps – they should be used sparingly and cleverly to add depth without overpowering the artwork.
Adding light colors to create contrast is a great way to make the hair look more realistic and pop. Highlights, particularly on light-colored hairdos, can really bring the whole image to life. Use this technique to emphasize sections of the hair while drawing the viewer’s eyes to the character’s face.
Styling Hairstyles
Drawing hairstyles for guys is all about playing around with different styles. Depending on the length of the hair, you can choose from various options such as sleek buns, flat-top buzz cuts, coifs, fauxhawks, comb overs and more.
Every style has its own nuances and characteristics, so it’s important to do your research. Find images and examples of the desired style to get a better understanding of how it should look. Analyze the proportions, texture, highlights and shadows in order to draw the mane realistically.
Final Touches
When you’re finished with the drawing, give it a final look over. Tweak any lines, shadows and highlights if needed. Use erasers, eraser pens and an occasional smudge tool to add texture and refine details.
At this stage, you should also pay attention to the overall composition. Evaluate the overall balance of the drawing and if needed, adjust the facial features and pose to create a better composition.
With practice and these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to start drawing hair for guys with confidence. Whether you choose a soft and stylish quiff or a spiky mohawk, make sure to put in your best effort and show off your fantastic artwork!
