Need help drawing realistic hair

Hey guys it's me again

I am a self taught artist currently having a lot of problems with drawing realistic hair.I have tried really hard copying from models but I simply can't understand hair.I am frustrated :/

I would like a tutorial for newbies or some explanation about drawing realistic hair without using like 20 different pencils (lol) nor in anime style.(I don't draw anime at all)

Here is my Da http://mythicsonofgod.deviantart.com/gallery/ page thanks!

edited 30th Jan '11 9:04:45 PM by FallenLegend

My advice is to stroke it, pet it like a cat.

When I draw hair, my pencil is going back and forth in the direction the hair runs.

I never actually "draw" hair (the way I would draw a box or mold of clay), I only shade it. I do so by layering down my back-and-forth strokes. It's a time-consuming process, but very, very fun and satisfying.

To create shadows and highlights, layer down more where it's supposed to be dark, and layer less where it's supposed to be light. And don't be afraid of contrast, it's better to have BLACK SHADOWS and WHITE HIGHLIGHTS then to barely be able to see any change in value at all.

(2183x3200 pix image)◊ This is both a large scale picture (rare for me) and unfinished, so you can observe the strokes and layering in progress. I do not recommend making "loops" at the hairline like I did, but simply starting and ending your strokes there. (had I finished the picture, I would have erased the loops). Check out his eyebrows and his goatee as well.

(2129x2370 pix image)◊ Excellent example of shading and highlights on the hair. Note that highlights tend to run across the strokes than along them. When hair lies flat on the head like this guy, the highlights create a "crown" or "halo" shape.)

Both pictures were done with an ordinary HB (no. 2) pencil.

edited 1st Feb '11 9:02:11 PM by annebeeche

I will do my best thanks !!

I always have two guidelines with hair: Lines and Gravity. hair is basically a bazillion of tiny little lines you have to put in certain directions, and unless you have the hair gel excuse, hair is going to work the way gravity intends it to.

^ Actually, I think it's important for people to remember that hair can take forms and create shapes as well, and learn to figure out the general silhouette of a hairstyle before going crazy with individual strands.

Also, while gravity is always important, it is important to remember that hair has bounce too. Hair will almost never lie completely flat against the skull or other things, and has volume and curves. Elsewise it may look like the hair is wet (wet hair is much flatter) or make the character look unhealthy somehow. Even the straightest hair should be drawn with a few slightest of slight curves and waves.

<3 ali

Essentially, hair is many single strands bunched together into one form. It must be treated as such.

^ That. Drawing every hair on someone's head is like drawing every leaf on a tree — not only is it excessive and time consuming, but it also goes against the intended effect of making the person as a whole look decent.

Though from your DA, I don't think that's currently the issue here. Its more the fact that you're outlining the shape of the hair instead of shaping it with the strands, which isn't what you want to do if you're going strictly for realism. It might be better if you started with a light and rough outline to get a general shape, and then fill that in with the strands before covering up/erasing the guidelines for the finished piece.

Also, don't discount using your eraser as a tool — its often rather useful to define highlights, especially if you're having problems making a smooth gradient into the lightest areas. Like a pencil, pushing down equals a larger effect, while a lighter touch will have less. It might be worth experimenting with.

edited 9th Feb '11 9:29:20 PM by Dec

Got it. I will post my results later. Thanks for the advice it helped alot. And trust meI read it all.

edited 6th Mar '11 2:01:05 PM by FallenLegend