There are many different types of hair, hairstyles, and shapes of heads. There are basic steps when you begin to draw hair. This lesson can be used as a guide, for you, when you begin to draw the Portrait you personally chose for class. This post is a recap of Wednesday’s lesson.
Step 1- Draw a basic outline of a face. I chose an oval shaped face.
Step 2- Draw a basic outline on top of the head and down the sides.
Step 3- Draw a diagonal line on top left side of her hair and cross the line over the top of her head extending to her forehead. This line will represent the “part” in the hair. Draw a free flowing line towards the left going down diagonally and stop when you reach the outline of the hair. Since the example is female, with long flowing hair, the neck will be created by her hair.
Step 4- Draw a free flowing diagonal line connecting the right side of the “part” in the females hair down towards the right side of the hair.
Step 5- Erase the line that was originally drawn for the top of the head.
Step 6- Begin to darken the “part” in the hair using a 3B or 4B pencil. Make creases coming out from the “part.” Use lines that curve towards the right and towards the left of the “part.” The lines should vary in weight, size, and length.
Step 7- Draw free flowing lines to imply movement and style of hair.
Step 8- Darken in the lines using feathering strokes with your pencil. Shade in lightly, overlapping to build value that fades as it extends outward. Vary the weight of the lines. Create a shadow on the right side of the hair, closest to the face and neck. Make sure you leave areas untouched in order to see the hair and the highlights created by light hitting the hair.
Step 9- Weave the values with free flowing lines. Pay attention to the hair style. Use a blender to create a little more depth and a brush to soften the lines. It is important to keep the feathered stroke appearance throughout the hair. Pop out some highlights carefully with a kneaded eraser. Pay attention to the “part” in the hair. Make sure strands of hair extend out from that area. Tweek until you have the desired look. *Make sure to remember as a rule- ” Less is Best!”
In Class 14- “Portraits” I will put all the steps together and draw a portrait using a photograph.