Drawing male anime hair can seem tricky at first, with all those wild spikes and flowing locks. It’s one of the most expressive features of a character, telling you a lot about their personality before they even speak. But once you break it down into simple shapes and lines, you’ll find it’s a fun and rewarding part of character design that adds life and style to your artwork.
Starting with the Head Shape and Hairline
Before you draw a single strand, start with a basic head shape. The hair needs to sit naturally on the head, not just float on top. Lightly sketch the hairline, which is typically a bit above the forehead and curves around the sides. Remember, hair has volume, so draw the overall shape of the hairstyle slightly away from the skull. This simple step prevents your character from looking like they’re wearing a tight hat.
Thinking in Clumps, Not Strands
The biggest secret to anime hair is to avoid drawing every single hair. Instead, think of the hairstyle as being made of larger clumps or sections. These clumps are what create the iconic spiky, messy, or smooth looks. For a spiky style, draw sharp, triangular shapes pointing outward. For longer, calmer hair, use softer, flowing clumps that follow gravity. This method keeps your drawing clean and stylistically accurate.
Adding Movement and Personality
Hair in anime is rarely perfectly still. To make it look dynamic, consider what the character is doing. Is there a breeze? Did they just turn their head? Use your clumps to show this movement. If the character is in action, draw the clumps streaming backward. For a more dramatic, moody look, you might have clumps falling over the face or eyes. The direction and flow of these sections are what inject emotion and energy into your character.
Final Lines and Simple Shadows
Once you’re happy with the pencil sketch, go over it with cleaner, confident lines. Vary the line weight—make lines thicker where clumps overlap or at the roots to suggest depth. For shading, you often only need one simple shadow color. Imagine a light source and add a darker tone to the underside of the main clumps and where the hair casts a shadow on the forehead. This immediately creates a sense of form.
With these basic principles, you have a strong foundation for drawing any male anime hairstyle. The best way to improve is to practice by looking at characters you like and breaking down their hair into these simple shapes and clumps. Happy drawing!