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Here is a tutorial demonstrating how to draw curly hair. Let's begin!
Steps
Short Curly Hair
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1Draw an outline of the head and shoulders.
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2Visualize the type of hairstyle you like. Decide on what type of curl you wish for your drawing and which direction the curls fall.Advertisement
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3Draw an outline of the hair using curly lines.
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4Add more curly lines to fill up the outline you have drawn.
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5Erase unwanted lines from your outline and you can also add other details to your drawing like the face.
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6Color your drawing. If you aren't working with materials you can easily layer lighter colors on top, leave the highest points of the hair without color. These areas would be the top of the head and any major curls.
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7Add light colored strands of hair where the most light would hit the hair. This would be at the highest points of the curls, especially at the top of the head.
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8Add shadows to the hair around the part and by the neck. You can also put shadow where the hair overlaps and on any skin next to the hair.
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9Lighten the hair as a whole where the most light would hit. This again is the top of the hair and some of the larger curls.
Long Curly Hair
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1Draw an outline of the head and shoulders.
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2Visualize the type of hairstyle you like. Decide on what type of curl you wish for your drawing and which direction the curls fall. Usually, long curled hair is a bit straightened near the roots while curls are more prominent near the tips.
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3Draw an outline of the hair using long curved lines. Make sure to make the strands look soft.
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4Add more curved lines to fill up the outline you have drawn to emphasize the curves of the hair.
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5Add other details to the drawing like the face and erase unnecessary lines.
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6Color your drawing. If you aren't working with materials you can easily layer lighter colors on top, leave the highest points of the hair without color. These areas would be the top of the head and any major curls.
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7Add light colored strands of hair where the most light would hit the hair. This would be at the highest points of the curls, especially at the top of the head.
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8Add shadows to the hair around the part and by the neck. You can also put shadow where the hair overlaps and on any skin next to the hair.
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9Lighten the hair as a whole where the most light would hit. This again is the top of the hair and some of the larger curls.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I make the hair look thick?
Community AnswerUse shadowing and put light and dark colors right next to each other. When you're finished, blend it out. -
QuestionWhat kind of pencil works best?
Community AnswerPreferably an art pencil, but any kind will do. -
QuestionHow do I draw curly hair on males? Not just frizzy or messy, actual natural curls.Community AnswerUse the first method and a reference photo to give you the best idea.
About This Article
To draw curly hair, start by drawing an outline of the character's head and shoulders, then visualize the hairstyle you want to create. Next, draw an outline of the hairstyle you envisioned by using curly lines. Then, add more curly lines to fill up the outline. Erase unwanted lines from your outline, then add other details to your drawing, like facial features and hair color! If you want to learn the differences between drawing curly hair that's long or short, keep reading!
