How to Draw Realistic Hair: A Comprehensive Guide

In this guide, we will teach you how to draw realistic hair. We’ll start with the outline of the hair. You will need different shades of pencils to create a more realistic look. We’ll also add some highlights and shadows to give the hair more volume. Let’s look at this in more detail.

What You Will Need For This Tutorial

A set of pencils in various shades of gray
A sharpener
An eraser

Drawing paper

Getting Started

Now that you have gathered all of the necessary materials, it is time to get started! In this section, we will go over the basic steps for drawing realistic hair. We will start with a brief overview of the different types of hair, followed by a discussion of how to texture hair realistically. Finally, we will talk about how to add depth and realism to your drawings.

Drawing Realistic Long Straight Hair

When it comes to long hair, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make it look realistic. First, you need to make sure that the hair is not too perfect. Real hair is never perfectly straight or perfectly curly. It always has some imperfections, such as flyaways and split ends. Second, you need to make sure that the hair has some volume. Long hair is often very voluminous, so make sure to add some volume to your drawing. Third, you need to make sure that the hair is not too uniform.

Real hair is never perfectly uniform. There are always some strands that are thicker or thinner than others.

1. Sketching the Outline

The first step is to sketch the outline of the hair. Start by drawing a line for the center part of the head. Then, draw two lines on either side of the center line for the length of the hair. Make sure to add some wavy lines to these lines to make the hair look more natural.

2. Adding Volume

Once you have the basic outline of the hair, it is time to start adding some volume. Start by drawing a line above the center line for the hair. Then, draw two lines on either side of this line. Make sure to add some wavy lines to these lines to make the hair look more natural.

3. Texture

Once you have the basic shape of the hair, it is time to start adding some texture. For straight hair, you can simply add some light and dark lines to create the illusion of texture.

For wavy hair, you will need to add more lines to create the illusion of waves. For curly hair, you will need to add even more lines to create the illusion of curls.

4. Depth and Realism

Once you have the basic shape and texture of the hair, it is time to start adding some depth and realism. Start by adding some shadows to the hair. To do this, simply draw some lines that are darker than the surrounding lines. Then, add some highlights to the hair. To do this, simply draw some lines that are lighter than the surrounding lines. Finally, add some fly-aways and split ends to the hair. This will make the hair look more natural and realistic.

Sketching Realistic Short Hair

Short hair is a bit easier to draw than long hair, as it does not have as much volume. It is also easier to add texture to short hair, as there are fewer strands of hair. If you want to draw realistic short hair, simply follow the steps above.

1. Sketch the Outline of the Head

Start by sketching the outline of the head. For short hair, you will want to start with a ball shape.

2. Sketch the Outline of the Hair

Next, sketch the outline of the hair. Short hair is typically shorter than shoulder length and is often styled in a bob or pixie cut. If you are unsure how to sketch the outline of the hair, simply look at pictures of short haircuts for inspiration.

3. Draw the Strands of Hair

To add texture to the hair, start by drawing the strands of hair. For short hair, you will want to use a pencil to draw wavy lines. But, you can also use a pen or marker to draw straight lines.

4. Add Shadows and Highlights

Finally, add shadows and highlights to the hair. Use a dark pencil to add shadows, and a light pencil to add highlights. You can also use an eraser to add highlights.

If you want to add fly-aways or split ends, simply use a pencil to draw some wavy lines.

Drawing Realistic Wavy Hair

Wavy hair is a bit more challenging to draw than straight or short hair, as it has more volume and texture. If you want to add more realism to your drawings, follow these tips.

1. Sketch the General Shape of the Hair

Use a light pencil to sketch out the basic shape of the head and the hair. Start with a simple outline of the hairline and the parting, then add in any layers or curls. If you want your wavy hair to look realistic, it’s important to get the basic shape right.

Look at pictures of wavy hair for inspiration, or take a look in the mirror and observe your own hair.

2. Add in the Details

Once you have the basic shape of the hair, start adding in the smaller details. Use a slightly darker pencil to add in the shadow lines and any individual strands of hair.

3. Erase the Pencil Lines

Once you’re happy with the way your drawing looks, use an eraser to erase any of the pencil lines that are no longer needed. If you want, you can also use a pen or marker to darken any of the lines that you want to keep.

Drawing Realistic Curly Hair

Curly hair is another type of hair that can be tricky to draw. But with a few simple tips, you can soon get the hang of it. We would recommend starting by sketching the general shape of the head and hair with a light pencil. But instead of adding in any details, start by drawing the overall shape of the curls.

Think about how the hair would flow and what type of pattern the curls would form.

1. Start with a Strand

When drawing curly hair, it is best to start with a single strand. This will help you get a feel for the movement and flow of the hair. Use a light pencil to draw a thin, wavy line. You can make the line as long or short as you like.

2. Add More Strands

Once you have a feel for how to draw a single strand of curly hair, you can start adding more. Again, use light pencil strokes to add in additional strands. Make sure to vary the thickness and curl of the strands to create a realistic look.

3. Shade and Add Details

Now it’s time to start adding some shading and details. Use a dark pencil to add shadows along the strands of hair. You can also add highlights by using a lighter pencil. To create a more realistic look, be sure to vary the intensity of the shading and highlights.

If you want, you can also use an eraser to add additional highlights.

Congratulations and Keep It Up!

Your realistic hair drawing is complete! Now that you know the basics, keep practicing and expanding your skills. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create any hairstyle you can imagine. Thanks for reading and happy drawing!