Drawing hair is one of the most expressive parts of creating an anime character. It can define their personality, show their mood, and make them instantly recognizable. While it might seem complex with all the flowing strands and dramatic shapes, breaking it down into simple steps makes the process much less intimidating and a lot more fun.
The key is to stop thinking of hair as thousands of individual strands and start seeing it as larger, flowing shapes. This approach allows you to capture the dynamic and gravity-defying style that makes anime hair so unique and captivating.
Start with the Head Shape and Hairline
Before you draw a single strand, sketch a basic head shape. Lightly indicate where the hairline starts—typically at the top and sides of the forehead. This foundation is crucial because it ensures the hair looks like it’s growing from the scalp, rather than just sitting on top of the head like a hat. Remember to account for the hair’s volume; anime hair often has a lot of it, so draw the main shape of the hair extending beyond the head outline.
Thinking in Clumps, Not Strands
Instead of getting lost in details, begin by drawing the hair in large, distinct sections or clumps. Think of these as the main “chunks” of the hairstyle, like the bangs, the sides, and the back. For short hair, these clumps might be sharp and spiky. For long hair, they will be longer and flow together. This method immediately gives the hair structure and a sense of style without any fine details.
Adding Flow and Movement with Lines
Once your main clumps are defined, you can suggest texture and movement. Add some interior lines that follow the direction of each clump. These lines show how the hair flows and connects. Don’t draw lines from one edge to the other; let them start and end at different points within the clump. Vary the length and curvature of these lines to make the hair look more natural and dynamic, even in a still drawing.
Final Touches: Shadows and Highlights
To make the hair really pop, add some simple shading. Decide on a light source and darken the areas that would be in shadow, such as underneath the main clumps and where the hair parts. For a classic anime look, you can also add sharp, bold highlights. These are often placed on the top and most prominent curves of the hair clumps. This contrast between dark shadows and bright highlights is what gives anime hair its shiny, vibrant appearance.
Mastering anime hair takes practice, but by focusing on shapes first and details last, you’ll find it becomes an enjoyable and rewarding part of character design. Grab your pencil and start experimenting with different clumps and flows to create a style all your own.