Learn to capture the wild twists and turns of male curly hair with these drawing tips, helping you achieve lifelike texture and volume in your sketches.
Use S-shaped Curves
S-shaped curves mimic the natural flow of curls, creating a lively and dynamic look for male curly hair in your drawing.
Add Spiral Twists
Spiral twists give the hair bounce and movement, simulating the natural spring of curls.
Draw Zigzag Patterns
Zigzag patterns mimic the unpredictability of natural curls, creating a dynamic and realistic texture.
Sketch Loose Corkscrews
Capture each curl’s bounce by drawing relaxed spiral shapes reminiscent of a corkscrew toy.
Layer Shadows for Depth
Strategically placed darker tones around the curls make the hairstyle look more three-dimensional and realistic.
Illustrate Clumps Not Strands
Focusing on groupings of hair adds realism, since curls often clump together rather than falling individually.
Vary Curls’ Thickness
Curls of different widths convey natural hair movement and realism.
Employ Hatching for Texture
Hatching adds realism by simulating the varied textures in curly hair.
Define the Hairline First
Establishing the hairline sets a clear boundary for where the curls begin and frames the character’s face.
Build Volume With Circles
Circles act as a foundation, guiding the placement and fullness of each curl for a realistic three-dimensional effect.
Introduce Flyaway Strands
Sprinkle in a few rebellious strands to inject realism into your curls, breaking up the uniformity.
Apply Varying Pressure for Waves
Adjusting your pencil’s pressure captures the dynamic nature of curls through subtle shifts in the wave’s intensity.
Highlight for Shine and Shape
Strategically placed lighter tones can mimic the lustrous effect of light hitting the curls, accentuating their voluminous form.
Detail With Fine, Squiggly Lines
Precision with tiny, wavy lines adds realism to each curl.
Start With Basic Shapes, Refine Later
Begin your illustration with broad, geometric forms to establish the structure; you can infuse it with intricacies as your drawing progresses.
