To draw anime hair effectively, follow these key steps and tips based on expert tutorials:
Basic Approach to Drawing Anime Hair
- Start with the Head and Hairline
Begin by sketching the head shape and lightly marking the hairline. This helps in positioning the hair and judging its length and flow
- Think of Hair in Sections
Divide the hair into parts such as front, side, and back/top hair. This segmentation makes drawing complex hairstyles more manageable
- Draw Hair in Clumps or Strands
Anime hair is often stylized in large clumps or strands rather than individual hairs. Sketch these clumps flowing naturally from the scalp, considering the hair’s volume and direction
- Add Details and Texture
Add splits, folds, and smaller strands within the clumps to create a more natural and dynamic look. Avoid making these lines too uniform; randomness adds realism
- Erase Overlapping Lines
Clean up the drawing by erasing parts of the head or hairline hidden by hair and any unnecessary sketch lines
- Shade and Highlight
Use shading to add depth and highlights to give the hair a shiny, three- dimensional appearance. Highlights usually follow the hair’s flow and are placed on the clumps where light would naturally hit
Tips for Different Hairstyles
- Long Straight Hair : Draw the hair following the head’s shape, with the front hair in smaller clumps and the back hair widening toward the shoulders. Add inner folds for volume
- Trimmed Hair (e.g., Hime Cut) : Use flat ends on hair clumps to indicate a cut look. Keep clumps pointing in the same direction with gradual shifts
- Ponytail : Frame the front hair with simple curves, draw the back hair merging into the ponytail, which can be drawn with a flowing, question-mark shape
- Curly Hair : Use wavy lines for the front hair and draw curls as cone-shaped spirals, adding splits at the ends for detail
- Short Messy Hair : Draw hair clumps sticking out in different directions, with splits and wavy clumps to create a messy effect
Additional Advice
- Use references to understand hair flow and styles
- Experiment to find your own style; there are no strict rules
- Watch tutorials for visual guidance and practice regularly
This approach will help you create varied and appealing anime hairstyles with a professional look
