There are many ways to draw hair, but drawing wavy hair can be a bit tricky. In this tutorial, we will discuss some techniques and tips that will help you to draw realistic-looking wavy hair.
Understanding the Basics of Wavy Hair
Before we start drawing, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of wavy hair. Unlike straight or curly hair, wavy hair has a subtle S-shaped pattern with loose curls and waves. It also tends to have more volume compared to straight hair.
When light falls on wavy hair, it creates highlights and shadows due to its uneven surface. These highlights and shadows are crucial in creating a realistic effect while drawing wavy hair. Keep these characteristics in mind as you begin drawing.
Materials Required
To draw wavy hair, you will need:
- Pencils (HB, 2B, and 4B)
- Eraser
- Blending stump
- Drawing paper with a smooth surface
Reference image of wavy hair (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Wavy Hair
Hair plays a crucial role in character expression, presenting a challenge to draw it as envisioned. To tackle this, think in three dimensions, considering volume and shape. Whether aiming for realistic or anime-style hair, various techniques exist, but understanding the subject is key to avoid confusion midway.
Hair Construction and Hair Volume
Begin by defining the hairline and areas of your character’s hair. Establish a reference point, like at the parting, to guide the direction of each section. For a character with straight hair just over the shoulders, consider no bangs but have hair cover one eye with inward-curled tips. Sketch these lines to visualize ideas, knowing changes can be made later.
Remember the head is spherical, so account for this to prevent flattening. Hair grows from specific points in different directions, eventually falling due to gravity. Locks should wrap around the head’s curves, creating volume. Notice how a flat shape contrasts with a spherical one when depicting these layers.
Hair doesn’t adhere tightly to the head; there’s space between strands, creating volume. Simplify hair using basic shapes to define volume and angles before detailing the surface. Using real-world references can enhance understanding of hair flow and structure.
- Shape
Some styles require more detailing, but understanding hair’s natural characteristics is essential. Hair consists of many locks formed by strands and doesn’t maintain a compact shape. It’s light and influenced by movement and environment
How to Draw Wavy Hair:
Start by sketching the main lock’s outline in an S shape, then fill it in to create its silhouette. Add dynamic little strands in the same general direction and some moving oppositely to enhance composition.
How to Draw Curly Hair:
Curls should form around a cylindrical shape, not straight like a spring. Simplify by drawing a ribbon, thinning towards the tip. Add texture following curve directions, including edge irregularities for realism.
Apply these methods to develop complex, interesting hair silhouettes, ensuring detail without overcomplicating.
I’m going to use a value scale to define details and give a 3D effect to hair shapes. The image below shows hairstyles with irregular layers and overlapping locks. Without the silhouette, these details would be unnoticed, so contrasting different sections is necessary to highlight these shapes. Here’s the step-by-step hair drawing process to help us understand it better:
- I define the edges (1). In step 2, mid-tones appear in the corner; strokes follow a single direction to maintain the shape’s harmony, and illuminated areas are left blank.
- In step 3, strokes are built up to apply darker shades, deepening some areas like overlapping layers as indicated by the arrows. This continues until the drawing is finished.
Trust your intuition when drawing shadows and highlights for hair. Lighting is an extensive and fascinating topic, and I feel this explanation doesn’t cover it all! I recommend researching and practicing as much as possible
Hair Types and Textures:
Textures create unique sensations and enrich our illustrations. Thinking about hair textures might seem overwhelming, but instead of solely using lines, we shouldn’t dismiss other tools that ease tasks and create incredible effects in both digital and traditional art spaces. Experimentation is key to developing drawing methods that emphasize our style’s qualities!
There’s no single answer to which tool to use in each case, but here’s a tip: imagine the feeling of each hair type! I’ve always thought short, almost shaved hair feels like a carpet! When I draw it, I like to give it a prickly, pointy, rough appearance.
For wavy hair, I think about sea waves, with curves meeting each other. There’s life, energy, and movement. On the other hand, straight hair has serene, calm, simple, and maybe elegant lines.
Curly hair, though not too wild, is voluminous, hard to control, and often hard to comb! Fluffy, soft, playful, and gorgeous—these are some adjectives that come to mind for curly hair. Textures save time and add complexity to shapes.
Additional Tips:
- Practice consistently to improve your skills and confidence in drawing hair. Start with simpler styles before tackling more complex ones.
- Refer to reference images for inspiration and guidance on different hair types and styles.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – they are a natural part of the learning process. Embrace them and use them to improve your work.
- Ask for feedback from others, as their perspectives may help you identify areas for improvement.
