There are many different types and styles of hair—thick and thin; long and short; curly, straight, and wavy; and even braided! And because hair is often one of an individual’s most distinguishing features, knowing how to render different types and textures is essential. When drawing hair, don’t try to draw every strand; just create the overall impression and allow the viewer’s eye and imagination to fill in the rest.
STEP 1 I use an HB pencil to sketch the shape of the head and place the features. Then I use loose strokes to block in the general outline of the hair. Starting at the part on the left side of the head, I lightly draw the hair in the direction of growth on either side of the part. At this stage, I merely indicate the shape of the hair; I don’t worry about the individual ringlets yet.
STEP 2 Switching to a 2B pencil, I start refining the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth. Then I define the neckline of her shirt with curved lines that follow the shape of her body. Returning to the hair, I lightly sketch in sections of ringlets, working from top to bottom. I start adding dark values underneath and behind certain sections of hair, creating contrast and depth. (See “Creating Ringlets” sidebar.)
CREATING RINGLETS
Step 1
STEP 1 First I sketch the shapes of the ringlets using curved, S-shaped lines. I make sure that the ringlets are not too similar in shape; some are thick and some are thin.
Step 2
STEP 2 To give the ringlets form, I squint my eyes to find the dark and light values. I leave the top of the ringlets (the hair closest to the head) lighter and add a bit more shading as I move down the strands, indicating that the light is coming from above.
Step 3
STEP 3 To create the darkest values underneath the hair, I place the strokes closer together.
Step 4
STEP 4 I add even darker values, making sure that my transitions in value are smooth and that there are no abrupt changes in direction.
STEP 3 I shade the face, neck, and chest using linear strokes that reach across the width of the body. Then I define the eyes, lips, and teeth, and I add her shoulder and the sleeve of her shirt. Next I continue working in darker values within the ringlets, leaving some areas of hair white to suggest blond highlights. Although the hair is much more detailed at this final stage, I am still simply indicating the general mass, allowing the viewer’s eye to complete the scene. Finally I draw some loose strands along the edges of the hair, leaving the lightest values at the top of the subject’s head.
RENDERING BRAIDS
Step 1
STEP 1 First I sketch the outline of each braid. I taper the ends a bit, adding a line across the bottom of each to indicate the ties that hold the braids together.
Step 2
STEP 2 Now I start shading each section, indicating the overlapping hair in each braid. I add some wispy hair “escaping” from the braids to add realism.
Step 3
STEP 3 I continue shading the braids using heavier strokes. I add even more “escaped” strands of hair. Then I use a kneaded eraser to pull out highlights at the bottom of each braid, emphasizing the ties. I also pull out some highlights in the braids themselves.