Drawing hair can feel like one of the most challenging parts of creating a portrait. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to draw every single strand, which often leads to a stiff and unnatural look. The secret isn’t to draw the hair itself, but to draw the light and shadow that gives hair its form and texture. When you shift your perspective this way, the whole process becomes much more manageable and a lot more fun.
Start with the Big Shapes First
Before you even think about details, look at the hair as a whole. What is its overall silhouette? Is it a large, fluffy shape, or does it hang close to the head? Lightly sketch this main form. Remember that hair has volume; it isn’t painted directly onto the scalp. Think of it as a three-dimensional object, like a ribbon or a cloud, that wraps around the head. Getting this foundational shape right is the most important step for creating believable hair.
Think in Clumps, Not in Strands
Our eyes don’t see individual hairs from a distance; we see groups and clumps. Instead of drawing thousands of lines, try drawing the hair as a series of larger, flowing sections. These clumps will have light and dark sides, just like any other form. Use your pencil to shade the darker areas where clumps overlap or where shadows are cast. Leave the paper white for the brightest highlights. This contrast between light and dark is what creates the illusion of shine and texture.
Let Your Pencil Strokes Follow the Flow
The direction of your lines is crucial for showing how hair moves. Is it straight and sleek, or curly and springy? Let your pencil strokes follow the natural flow and direction of the hair growth. For long, straight hair, use long, smooth strokes. For curls, use softer, circular or zig-zagging motions. Your lines don’t need to be perfect; a few well-placed, confident strokes that follow the form will look far more realistic than a mess of hesitant, scratchy lines.
Adding the Final Details
Once you have the main shapes, shadows, and flow established, you can add a few strategic details. Take a sharp pencil and draw a few individual strands, focusing on the edges and areas where light catches. These fine lines can help define the ends of the hair or highlight a few flyaways. The goal is to suggest detail, not to render it completely. Most of the texture comes from your earlier shading.
Drawing hair is a skill that improves with practice. Be patient with yourself and focus on seeing the big shapes of light and dark. When you stop worrying about every single hair, you will find that your drawings become more lifelike and full of movement.