Step-by-Step (5): Drawing Hair
Added 2023-01-12 20:42:44 +0000 UTCI have this very simple animation of me sketching a low ponytail on Natsu in one of my latest commissions. It's very basic but it gives some insight how I map out the different areas of this particular hairstyle.
Every figure has a bald head underneath haha! By having something underneath to place the lines ontop helps following the proper shape. Feel free to add more lines to help navigade hair around (like lines of a basketball).
She is wearing a cap in this case, so I am getting away with only doing the lower half, but additionally I have to consider how the hair get's "squished" by the cap. Which is also why I'm already suggesting its shape in the rough sketch, so I can mold the hair around it.
If you draw a hairstyle that features it being tied in a ponytail or bun, the rule of thumb is to define where it ties and following around the shape of the head concentrating towards it. depending on how tight or loose the hairstyle is the lines would be closer to the initial guideline or more loosely placed around.
In this case the hair is tied quite loosely, so I like to add some strands at the bottom that sit lower and more square. one or two of those already give a good idea of the weight of hair as well as giving it a more interesting shape.
If you plan on coloring your piece, it can be helpful to do one simple flat color first to see if the overall silhouette is working (in this case it's this grey color). it also helps to have something to select, so you can draw within the form and make the coloring process a little easier on yourself.
More to coloring in the next post!
