Whether you’re a pro artist or a complete beginner, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment when you create a stunning piece of art. Mastering how to draw long, curly hair is a perfect way to showcase your artistic talents. Doing long curls just right can be tricky, but once you have the right tips and techniques at your fingertips, you’ll be creating stunning locks in no time!
Understanding How Hair Behaves
To drawhair that looks realistic and natural, you need to understand how natural hair behaves. Hair strands generally taper at the end and possess a slight curve that follows the base of the scalp. Each curl should usually contain at least two bends, flowing from one direction to the other. Plus, one strand of hair will never perfectly coil around its self in tight circles like springs, like you see in cartoon characters.
Your Choice of Drawing Mediums
Before you begin, you need to select the right medium for drawing long curls. Pencils are the best option, providing you the control needed when creating a drawing or illustration. For added realism, use a range of pencils, from soft to hard. Dark pencils can create deep shade, while a comple ly different look results when you blend white and grey tones to create a light hair colour.
Using Contour Lines
Contour lines give shape and texture to hair. This can be achieved by following the flow of the curls with the graphite tip of the pencil.Varying the pressure and the angle of the pencil as you draw will create a more realistic look. Make sure to not just tediously fill the entire page with different strands of curls, as naturally hair disperses,creating wider and sometimes narrower sections.
Creating a Textured Look
To enhance the realism of your drawing, you can expertly blend textured areas of your drawing using the tip of the graphite during the sketching stage. After that, use a blending pencil to expertly blend the texture and create a smooth finish.For added texture, use a kneaded eraser to lift higher lights and create a perception of shine and movement. This will make long, curly hair look alive and natural.
Start Practicing Now!
Drawing long, curly hair may seem a challenge at first, but with some patience and practice you’ll be creating extraordinary locks in no time. Remember to take a moment to study your reference material, understand how natural hair behaves, and pick the right medium before you get started. Once you understand the basics and practice a little, you’ll be able to draw realistic looking curlyhair with ease!
