How To Draw Textured Hair

Drawing textured hair can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re a beginner. Fear not! With a few easy tips, you’ll be able to take your drawings from bland to beautiful. Drawing hair doesn’t have to take an eternity – the key is to study the structure, use shading and blending techniques, and practice, practice, practice!
Firstly, understand the form. Hair has a basic structure that consists of round, oval, and triangular groups of strands. Each group will come together to form a larger group, like a family. As you observe the structure of the hair, you can use a few different types of lines to recreate the hairstyle. Use curved lines to suggest the curves and shapes of the strands and gentle hatching to create the visual texture. You’ll also need to use variations in thickness, but draw each strand in a way that they blend seamlessly.
Secondly, embrace the shadow. When drawing, shadows can let you create depth, movement, and volumes. As you draw the hairs, it’s essential to include shadows so you can make the hair look more realistic. Observe where the light hits the hair and where it creates shade. Use light lines to replicate the shadows, then blend it with a soft eraser. You can also add shadows on the scalp; this will give it a more realistic look.
Thirdly, combine the structure and shadows. Once you understand the structure and are comfortable creating shadows, the next step is to combine the two. Start by drawing the basic shapes and add in the shadows here and there. You should also use the eraser to blend neither the structure nor the shadows. Start with small strokes, between the strands, and gradually build up the texture and layers. You’ll have to play around with the pressure and the materials depending on the type of hairstyle you’re drawing.
Finally, don’t forget the finishing touches. Once you’ve got the structure and shadows down, you should observe the small details that’ll bring your drawing to life. Don’t forget to add the highlights and reflections in the right places to make the hair look more realistic. You can also add some individual strands and texture to your hair; this will really make it pop!
Drawing textured hair doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few tips, guidance, and lots of practice, you’ll be able to achieve a beautiful and realistic result. Take your time and go at your own pace; it’s all about practice, trial and error.
If you’re still having trouble, it can be helpful to watch some tutorials or look for reference photos of the hairstyle you’re trying to draw. You can also try sketching from life or from photographs; this will give you an opportunity to practice different shapes and textures. With enough time and effort, you’ll be able to master the art of textured hair drawing!
When it comes to materials, you’ll want to invest in a few high-quality tools. Quality pencils and other art supplies can make all the difference and will last longer. You’ll want to make sure you have art pencils with varying degrees of hardness – from H to 8B – for the different layers and shades. Other materials you’ll want to consider are erasers, markers, and brush pens.
As you practice drawing textured hair, don’t forget to have fun. Becoming an expert artist will take time and patience, but you’ll be amazed with the results! Experiment with different pencils and techniques, there’s no wrong answer. Before you know it, you’ll create masterpieces that’ll make the hairs on your neck stand up!
Using drawing grids can also be useful when creating textured hair. Drawing grids are great for getting the dimensions of each strand in proportion. Start by sketching the basic structure of the hair and then add the individual strands by using larger grids. Finally, practice blending the textures of the strands using a blending stump or tortillion.
If you want to bring more depth to your drawings, you can use a technique called cross-hatching. Cross-hatching involves the use of overlapping lines and is great for shading and creating texture. To create cross-hatching, draw small parallel lines in one direction and then add small lines in the opposite direction. The more lines you draw, the darker the shade.
Drawing hair can also be enhanced by using freehand strokes. Loose strokes of the pencil can give the hair more volume and can add highlights or lowlights. This technique requires a lot of practice, but with practice, you’ll be able to draw realistic and textured hair with ease.
Finally, the use of layers and highlights can also be helpful when creating textured hair. On the outside layer, use thick outlines to create the shape and structure of the hair, and then add thin layers of pencil in the areas of highlights or dark shadows. This technique is a great way to create an illusion of 3D hair and can really bring your drawings to life!
Drawing textured hair can be an intimidating task, but with a few helpful hints, patience, and practice, you can create realistic and beautiful results. Start by studying the basic structure of the hair, using shadows and blending techniques, and adding details to your drawings. Don’t forget to invest in quality materials and tools, and you’ll be able to master the art of textured hair drawing. Play around with the pressure, use grids and cross-hatching, and practice loose strokes to create dimension and depth. With enough time and effort, you’ll be able to produce amazing results!

Julia is an artist and musician, who grew up in a small town in Ohio, where she played in local bands and painted murals in free time. She moved to NY City to study art at the prestigious Pratt Institute, and then relocated to LA to pursue a music career. Julia loves sharing the knowledge she gathered during the years with others.

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