You may be thinking, "I’m skilled at drawing people, but what about the hair?" These simple steps will guide you in creating the most realistic hair for your character.
Steps

After sketching the head and shoulders, think about the hairstyle, then the structure and thickness/thinness of the hair you want for your character.

Start with the parting line if the character has loose hair, or the hairline if they have their hair tied back or combed back.
Draw freely, don’t be too stiff, or the hair will look rigid—just relax your hand.
Avoid drawing thick lines unless you want the hair to look tightly braided. Instead, use small strokes, but don’t try to draw every single strand—you won’t be able to.
To make the hair appear more realistic, add a few spontaneous strokes, highlights, and shading to create depth.
Add details like hats, hairpins, ribbons, and color them in.
Tips
- Make sure you're relaxed and have enough time to focus on your drawing.
- It's important not to use a pencil that's too dull or too sharp.
- Take it step by step, varying the line thickness; leave some space between the strands of hair for a smooth, glossy look.
- Don’t rush! Take your time and draw carefully.
- Avoid making both sides of the hair identical—this would look unnatural. Instead, keep them slightly uneven. This asymmetry should be subtle, not overly noticeable!
- Use a high-quality eraser to avoid smudging your sketch.
- Place a clean sheet of paper under your hand to prevent dirt from getting on your drawing.
- If you want to check whether the face is symmetrical, try flipping the drawing upside down.
- Always sharpen your pencil before you start drawing for fine, precise lines.
- Only refer to your reference image once, then let your creativity take over.
Warnings
- Keep your workspace tidy and clean to make your artwork appear clearer.
