Drawing hair is not all that difficult but it does take quite a bit of time to make the result to
look real and natural. In fact, it usually takes two to three times longer to do the hair than it
does to do the rest of the portrait. So, do not get frustrated and know that you will have to spend
the time.
Here are some pointers to help you succeed at drawing the best hair possible:
* Line Drawing - As always, the first step is to produce a line drawing that shows the overall
shape of the hair and maps out some of the main value areas. At this stage, you should look at the
hair as a shape and ignore all details such as strands. Do observe however how the hair flows, i.e.,
take note of the growth directions of the hair.
* Values - Next, using the map you created on your line drawing, start laying in the major
values, i.e., the major darks and lights. Make sure you always follow the growth direction of the
hair. This is very important. Follow the flow.
* Blending - At this stage, you can blend the darks out towards the lights. Then, reapply the
darks and pull them into the light areas using a tortillon or a pencil (if there is not enough
graphite on the paper). Work from the dark areas into the light areas. After that, use a pointed
kneaded eraser as a drawing tool to pull the lights into the darks.
This process should be repeated several times until you reach the desired look of
fullness.
* Curls - If your subject has curls, you should treat each curl as a separate object with its own
darks, lights, and highlights. At the same time, make sure that each curl fits into the overall
layout of the hair. This means, for example, that a particular curl should flawlessly connect to its
neighbors.
* Shadows - Often the hair cast a few shadows onto the forehead. These cast shadows should always
be rendered in the correct value. You will be surprised how much they contribute to the realistic
appearance of the hair and the subject in general. They very much help to show the fullness and
three-dimensionality of the hair.
* Forehead - The forehead, like anything else, has a certain value. When the hair falls over the
forehead, it is important to apply the same forehead value to the areas of the forehead that are
visibly located under the hair. If you leave these areas white, you will loose a lot of
realism.
* Gray Hair - The illusion of gray or white hair is created through using pencil strokes
sparingly and through more blending with a tortillon or a paper tissue. A soft and silky look can be
created by using the kneaded eraser to lift out the appropriate.
Much more can be said about the drawing of hair. This includes such subjects as hairstyles,
men’s versus women’s hair, thin hair, hair color, etc. However, the above remarks will
suffice to set you on the right path. Later, you can always consult an advanced work on hair
drawing.
