Hair-Raising Tips on Drawing Wet Hair
Don’t shudder at the thought of drawing wet hair! With practice, you can learn to master capturing this challenging subject matter with ease. Here are some exhilarating tips that will help you out.
Start Simple
Getting started is intimidating. But fear not – start with the basics. Get used to how the pencil slides over the paper and how wet hair behaves differently from dry. Just practice drawing lines and shades. Dip your toes in by picking out parts of a portrait and focusing on them in detail, like the fringe or a few strands of hair.
Who’s That Girl?
Choose your subject wisely. When you’re ready to take the plunge, choose a model with lots of damp hair ripples, curves and textures. Wet hair responds differently to lighting and weather and will give you fascinating outcomes.
Bring On the Brushes
Try out different tools when drawing wet hair. Find brushes with different tips, as well as various pencils and inks. Different tools will create different results, so experiment with various combinations until you find the one that suits your style.
Techniques, Techniques, Techniques!
Ah, the technique. This can make or break your drawing. An easy way to get realistic results is to apply the eraser technique. Use a small piece of eraser to make precise marks. Rub some areas you want to bring out and erase others you want to hide. Get creative with this technique, and alter it to suit your desired outcome.
Wet Hair, Don’t Care
Pay attention to the amount of water present. How accurately you portray the amount of humidity can make the difference between a botched job and an incredible drawing. Look at the effects on the edges – are they curling up? Noting the direction of the waves is also essential. Whether they move downwards or fold forwards, pay attention to the flow. Imagining your painting as a real-life mane is one way to envision the outcome.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Lighting is vital for drawing wet hair. Contrast makes a difference – darken some areas, lighten others and make sure the edges stand out. Concentrate on the texture of the mane then enhance the effect with contrasting light and dark areas.
Choose Your Colours Wisely
To create more depth, use shades and tints of light and dark. Boldness and clarity are key, even if you’re working with graphite pencils. Don’t be afraid to apply multiple layers of shading. Start with a light colour and build on it to get the most out of your work.
The Pitta Pitta Pitfall
Dabbing the pencil can make wet hair look lumpy. Avoid the ‘pitta pitta’ technique and be mindful of your hand movements. Short, soft brush strokes will help you achieve a finer, more satisfying result – and will save your arm from getting too tired, too.
Stay Out Of The Tar Pit
Overdoing the shading can make your drawing look murky and flat. Remember – wet hair takes on light and shines, making it dynamic and alive. Bring out the light areas with highlighting, make waves stand out and don’t forget to leave some areas uncertain and ‘undone’.
The Secret is in the Shadow
Try to capture the shadows correctly and keep them from clumping up. Shadowing adds depth, yet too little or too much can ruin your drawing. Think of shadows like you would highlights in dry hair – spot the parts that need darkening and let the light areas speak for themselves.
Take It One Step At A Time
Wet hair can present many challenges and look much more difficult to draw than dry hair. Mastering the techniques step by step will yield better results, allowing you to capture even the most intimidating subjects with ease.
Effort Pays Off
Drawing wet hair without a template may be tricky, especially in the beginning. But don’t be discouraged. Practice makes perfect! As you progress and hone your skills, you will surprise yourself with beautiful, atmospheric results.
Sweep It Up
Remember that not every drawing needs to be absolutely perfect. Make vintage-style or super-smooth, sharp-edged portraits – truth is, the possibilities are endless! In the end, wet hair drawing should be fun and adventurous. Therefore, don’t be afraid to take risks and get creative!
Don’t shudder at the thought of drawing wet hair! With practice, you can learn to master capturing this challenging subject matter with ease. Here are some exhilarating tips that will help you out.
Start Simple
Getting started is intimidating. But fear not – start with the basics. Get used to how the pencil slides over the paper and how wet hair behaves differently from dry. Just practice drawing lines and shades. Dip your toes in by picking out parts of a portrait and focusing on them in detail, like the fringe or a few strands of hair.
Who’s That Girl?
Choose your subject wisely. When you’re ready to take the plunge, choose a model with lots of damp hair ripples, curves and textures. Wet hair responds differently to lighting and weather and will give you fascinating outcomes.
Bring On the Brushes
Try out different tools when drawing wet hair. Find brushes with different tips, as well as various pencils and inks. Different tools will create different results, so experiment with various combinations until you find the one that suits your style.
Techniques, Techniques, Techniques!
Ah, the technique. This can make or break your drawing. An easy way to get realistic results is to apply the eraser technique. Use a small piece of eraser to make precise marks. Rub some areas you want to bring out and erase others you want to hide. Get creative with this technique, and alter it to suit your desired outcome.
Wet Hair, Don’t Care
Pay attention to the amount of water present. How accurately you portray the amount of humidity can make the difference between a botched job and an incredible drawing. Look at the effects on the edges – are they curling up? Noting the direction of the waves is also essential. Whether they move downwards or fold forwards, pay attention to the flow. Imagining your painting as a real-life mane is one way to envision the outcome.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Lighting is vital for drawing wet hair. Contrast makes a difference – darken some areas, lighten others and make sure the edges stand out. Concentrate on the texture of the mane then enhance the effect with contrasting light and dark areas.
Choose Your Colours Wisely
To create more depth, use shades and tints of light and dark. Boldness and clarity are key, even if you’re working with graphite pencils. Don’t be afraid to apply multiple layers of shading. Start with a light colour and build on it to get the most out of your work.
The Pitta Pitta Pitfall
Dabbing the pencil can make wet hair look lumpy. Avoid the ‘pitta pitta’ technique and be mindful of your hand movements. Short, soft brush strokes will help you achieve a finer, more satisfying result – and will save your arm from getting too tired, too.
Stay Out Of The Tar Pit
Overdoing the shading can make your drawing look murky and flat. Remember – wet hair takes on light and shines, making it dynamic and alive. Bring out the light areas with highlighting, make waves stand out and don’t forget to leave some areas uncertain and ‘undone’.
The Secret is in the Shadow
Try to capture the shadows correctly and keep them from clumping up. Shadowing adds depth, yet too little or too much can ruin your drawing. Think of shadows like you would highlights in dry hair – spot the parts that need darkening and let the light areas speak for themselves.
Take It One Step At A Time
Wet hair can present many challenges and look much more difficult to draw than dry hair. Mastering the techniques step by step will yield better results, allowing you to capture even the most intimidating subjects with ease.
Effort Pays Off
Drawing wet hair without a template may be tricky, especially in the beginning. But don’t be discouraged. Practice makes perfect! As you progress and hone your skills, you will surprise yourself with beautiful, atmospheric results.
Sweep It Up
Remember that not every drawing needs to be absolutely perfect. Make vintage-style or super-smooth, sharp-edged portraits – truth is, the possibilities are endless! In the end, wet hair drawing should be fun and adventurous. Therefore, don’t be afraid to take risks and get creative!
