Drawing hair can feel like one of the biggest challenges for an artist. The thought of sketching thousands of individual strands is enough to make anyone pause. But what if you could approach it differently? Instead of focusing on every single hair, the secret lies in thinking about hair as larger, flowing shapes. This shift in perspective makes the process much more manageable and a lot more fun.
Start with the Shape, Not the Strands
Before you put pencil to paper, look at your reference or imagine the overall form of the hairstyle. Is it a big, fluffy cloud of curls? A sleek, straight bob? Begin by lightly sketching this basic shape as a solid mass. Think of it as drawing a silhouette. This initial shape acts as your guide and ensures the hair has volume and sits correctly on the head, rather than looking like a flat, painted-on layer.
Building Volume with Value and Texture
Once you have your basic shape, you can start to suggest texture. Identify the darkest shadow areas within your hair shape—often underneath layers, at the part, or where hair clumps together. Use a soft pencil or build up layers of shading to block in these dark values. Then, instead of drawing every light hair, use an eraser to gently “draw” the highlights by lifting graphite from the page. This technique creates a natural, luminous effect. For straight hair, your pencil strokes and erased highlights can follow long, flowing lines. For curly hair, use smaller, overlapping curved shapes to build the texture.
Defining the Details Last
The final step is to add a few strategic details to make the hair feel real. With your base of shadows and highlights established, you can now go in and draw a few individual strands. Focus on the edges, flyaways, and a few defining lines that follow the flow of the hair. The key is to be selective; just a few well-placed lines will trick the eye into seeing more detail than is actually there. This keeps your drawing from looking overworked and maintains that soft, natural appearance.
Remember, drawing hair is a process of building up from general shapes to specific details. By focusing on the big forms first, you create a foundation of volume and movement that makes adding the final textures feel effortless. With a little practice, you’ll be drawing beautiful, believable hair in no time.