How to Draw Curly Hair

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Here is a tutorial demonstrating how to draw curly hair. Let's begin!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Short Curly Hair

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
    Decide on what type of curl you wish for your drawing and which direction the curls fall.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
    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.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.13-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.13-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.13-PM.png\/728px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.13-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":288,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":455,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    7
    Add 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.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.15-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.15-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.15-PM.png\/728px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.23.15-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    8
    Add 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.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.25.51-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.25.51-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.25.51-PM.png\/717px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.25.51-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":359,"bigWidth":718,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    9
    Lighten 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.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Long Curly Hair

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
    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.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
    Make sure to make the strands look soft.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Draw Curly Hair
    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.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.35.15-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.35.15-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.35.15-PM.png\/676px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.35.15-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":381,"bigWidth":677,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    7
    Add 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.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.37.00-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.37.00-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.37.00-PM.png\/657px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.37.00-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":391,"bigWidth":658,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    8
    Add 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.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.40.54-PM.png\/460px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.40.54-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.40.54-PM.png\/627px-Screen-Shot-2016-07-02-at-1.40.54-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":411,"bigWidth":627,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    9
    Lighten 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.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I make the hair look thick?
    Community Answer
    Use shadowing and put light and dark colors right next to each other. When you're finished, blend it out.
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  • Question
    What kind of pencil works best?
    Community Answer
    Preferably an art pencil, but any kind will do.
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    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 22
  • Question
    How do I draw curly hair on males? Not just frizzy or messy, actual natural curls.
    Community Answer
    Use the first method and a reference photo to give you the best idea.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      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!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Katelin

        Sep 3, 2019

        "I definitely needed help drawing hair, and the best artist I know is 2 states away. I found this article, and it ..." more
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