Anime hair is one of the most expressive and fun parts of drawing a character. It can tell you about their personality, their mood, and even their powers before you know anything else about them. While it might look complex with all its spikes and flowing locks, it’s actually built on a few simple principles that anyone can learn.
You don’t need to be a master artist to start. By breaking down the process into manageable steps, you can begin to create hairstyles that look dynamic and full of life, moving beyond a simple, flat shape on the head.
Start with the Head Shape and Hairline
Before you draw a single strand, it’s important to sketch the head. Anime hair sits on top of the skull, so having that basic shape as a guide is essential. Lightly draw a circle for the cranium and a jawline. Then, mark a simple hairline. This helps you visualize where the hair will sprout from, preventing it from looking like a flat wig placed on top.
Thinking in Clumps, Not Strands
The biggest secret to drawing anime hair is to stop thinking about individual hairs. Instead, think of the hair as being made of larger clumps or shapes. These clumps are what give anime hair its distinctive, graphic look. A spiky style is just a series of sharp, triangular clumps. Wavy hair is made of flowing, S-shaped clumps. Start by blocking in the overall silhouette of the hairstyle with these big, simple shapes.
Adding Flow and Movement
To make hair look natural, it needs a sense of flow and direction. Imagine a wind is blowing or the character is moving. Your clumps should follow this implied motion. Hair doesn’t just stick out randomly; it grows from the scalp and falls with gravity. For ponytails and long hair, use flowing lines that curve gracefully. This sense of movement is what separates stiff hair from hair that has energy and bounce.
Bringing it to Life with Shadows
Once you’re happy with your line art, you can add depth. The simplest way is to choose a light source and add shadows. Typically, you would shade the areas where the hair clumps overlap or the parts that are furthest from the light. Don’t be afraid to use bold, solid areas of shadow instead of trying to blend softly. This cel-shading style is very common in anime and adds a lot of volume and polish to your drawing.
Remember, practice is your best tool. Start by trying to recreate hairstyles from your favorite characters, then begin to experiment with your own original designs. With these basics in mind, you’re well on your way to drawing fantastic anime hair.