Introduction
Are you an aspiring artist looking to master the art of drawing anime and manga hair? In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating beautiful and intricate hairstyles for female characters. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, these step-by-step instructions will help you achieve stunning results.
Anime hair with different hairstyles drawing examples
The Basics of Drawing Anime & Manga Hair
Anime hair is often based on real hairstyles but is typically drawn in clumps rather than individual strands. This simplification allows for efficient animation and manga creation. To create realistic and visually appealing hair, it is essential to divide it into several distinct parts: the front, sides, and back/top.
For more detailed character drawing tutorials, check out “How to Draw Anime Characters Tutorial.” If you’re interested in learning more about anime hair, explore “How to Draw Anime Male Hair Step by Step” and “How to Draw Anime & Manga Male & Female Hair.”
Drawing Long Anime Hair
Anime long hair drawing breakdown
Long straight hair is one of the most common and easiest hairstyles to draw in anime. Follow these steps to achieve a beautiful long hair look:
Step 1
Start by drawing the head shape and indicating the hairline. Although the hairline may not be visible in this particular hairstyle, it helps determine the overall length and positioning of the front and side hair sections. Keep this initial sketch light to allow for easy erasing later.
Step 2
Draw the hair over the top of the head and hairline, creating small pointed clumps for the front section. The side hair should be longer, with a slightly curved shape. Towards the ends, you can break it into smaller clumps. The back hair should follow the shape of the head, widening until it is hidden behind the shoulders.
Step 3
Erase any parts of the head that are hidden by the hair and add a few lines to show the inner folds of the front and back hair. Position these folds between the clumps, as they naturally form in real hair.
Step 4
To add more definition to the back hair, incorporate some folds. Adding basic shading will also help make the hair stand out.
Drawing Short Anime Hair
Anime short hair drawing breakdown
Short hair is versatile and can be styled in various ways. Let’s explore one example of short hair with the following steps:
Step 1
Begin by drawing the head and hairline. Though less significant in this hairstyle, the hairline can still provide guidance.
Step 2
Draw the front hair section in small clumps, allowing it to protrude slightly from the sides. For a messier look, curve the clumps in different directions. If you prefer a neater appearance, draw them similarly to the first example.
Step 3
Erase any parts of the head that are hidden by the hair. Draw the bottom portion of the back hair. It’s advisable to leave this section for the end as it will be behind most of the other hair parts. Drawing it first may result in overlapping lines, requiring additional erasing.
Step 4
Add inner folds to provide more definition to the back hair. Basic shading can also enhance the overall look of the hair once the line drawing is complete.
Drawing Trimmed Anime Hair (Hime Cut)
Anime “Hime Cut” hair drawing breakdown
The Hime Cut is a popular trimmed hairstyle characterized by flat-ended hair clumps. To achieve this neat look, follow these steps:
Step 1
Begin by drawing the hair and indicating the hairline. In the case of the Hime Cut, the hairline will be covered by the hair.
Step 2
When initially drawing the hair, start with the sides, followed by the back. For the front section, represent only one line.
Step 3
Draw small splits into the front and side parts of the hair to make them look more natural. Erase the lines between the splits and any parts of the head covered by the hair.
Step 4
Add some lines to provide more definition to the back hair, ensuring it doesn’t appear flat. Consider adding basic shading to bring out the hair’s texture.
Drawing Long Messy Anime Hair
Anime long messy hair drawing breakdown
Messy hair adds a touch of spontaneity to a character’s appearance. Follow these steps to create long messy hair:
Step 1
Start by drawing the head and hairline, paying attention to the hairline’s position to prevent the front hair clumps from extending too high.
Step 2
To achieve a messy look, draw the front hair clumps in different directions, with varying shapes and curves. Some clumps can be wavy, while others flow in a single direction.
Draw the central part of the clumps longer, extending further down. The outer clumps on the sides should have a similar effect. This creates the impression of unkempt hair.
Step 3
Incorporate additional hair clumps randomly sticking out from the back sections of the hair to give it a messy appearance. Add a few clumps to the inner parts of the side hair as well. Erase the outlines of the hair where you want to draw these additional clumps or erase any overlapping outlines afterwards. Erase any parts of the head’s face covered by the hair.
Step 4
As this hairstyle also involves long back hair, draw inner folds to make the back hair more realistic. These folds can be slightly wavier than in the previous examples to enhance the messy hair effect.
For a more detailed tutorial on drawing a messy hairstyle, check out “How to Draw Messy Anime Hair.”
Drawing Anime Ponytail /Tied Back Hair
Anime ponytail hair drawing breakdown
The ponytail is a classic and elegant anime hairstyle. Follow these steps to create a beautiful ponytail:
Step 1
Draw the head and indicate the hairline, which is slightly more important in this hairstyle as it will be partially visible.
Step 2
Frame the front hair with three curves: two for the sides and one for the bottom. Unlike other hairstyles, this one includes minimal side hair, as the hair is pulled back and reveals parts of the hairline.
Draw the back hair slightly over the top of the head, allowing it to blend into the sides. While ponytails usually face straight back, drawing it slightly to one side will make its shape more visible. Consider adding a small split at the end of the ponytail.
Step 3
Erase the parts of the head that are hidden by the hair. Add some lines to show the inner curves and folds of the front and back hair. Erase any overlapping lines to achieve a clean look.
Step 4
To complete the drawing, consider adding light shading to enhance the hair’s dimension. You can also optionally draw a few more lines to create more splits and curves, giving the hair a layered appearance.
Drawing Anime Hair Over One Eye
Anime hair over one eye drawing
For a trendy and mysterious look, try drawing hair that partially covers one eye. Follow these steps to achieve this style:
Step 1
Draw the head and hairline, just like in previous examples.
Step 2
Draw the front hair clumps, ensuring they extend far enough down the face to fully cover one eye. For the side hair, draw the section next to the covered eye, allowing it to blend into the front hair.
Draw the back hair with two curves that hug the shape of the head, then branch out into clumps on each side.
Step 3
Draw a few small clumps of hair hanging down from the bottom section of the front hair, adding a touch of realism and interest. Erase any overlapping lines from the head that are hidden by the hair.
Step 4
Add a few lines to indicate the folds and curves of the hair, giving it a more natural appearance.
For a more detailed tutorial on drawing this hairstyle, check out “How to Draw Anime Hair Over One Eye.”
Drawing Anime Pigtails
Anime pigtails hair drawing breakdown
Pigtails are a classic and versatile anime hairstyle. Let’s explore how to draw them:
Step 1
Start by drawing the head and hairline, just like in previous examples.
Step 2
Draw the front hair section, allowing it to extend outward and overlap the side sections. Draw the side sections of hair with light curves that follow the face’s contours. The back hair should follow the shape of the head.
For the pigtails, draw two shapes resembling question marks, one flipped over. Position them at the bottom of the head. Consider adding a small split at the end of each pigtail.
Step 3
Erase any parts of the head that are hidden by the hair. Add inner curves to the hair buns, following the outer curve of each bun to create a “ball of yarn” look.
Additional Hairstyle Tutorials
Curious about other hairstyles? Explore these additional tutorials to expand your artistic repertoire:
- “How to Draw Curly Anime Hair”: Curly hair can be challenging, but with the right techniques, you can create stunning results.
- “How to Draw Anime Hair Buns”: Hair buns are a less common but still popular choice for anime characters. Learn how to draw them effectively.
Conclusion
Drawing anime hair becomes much easier when you organize it into separate sections. By dividing the hair into front, side, and back sections, you gain more control over the hairstyle and can easily modify its various parts. Don’t be afraid to experiment by mixing different elements from this tutorial or adding your own unique designs.
For shading techniques specific to anime hair, check out “How to Shade Anime Hair Step by Step.” If you’re interested in learning more about drawing anime hair blowing in different directions, in 3/4 view, or when wet, explore the respective tutorials.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Embrace your creativity and enjoy the process of bringing your characters to life through their unique hairstyles.
