Introduction:

Manga has taken the world by storm, and many artists want to learn how to draw the eye-catching characters. One of the most iconic features of manga characters is their hair. In this article, we will discuss three different techniques for drawing manga hair. By mastering these approaches, you will be able to create diverse and unique hairstyles for your characters.

1. Basic Manga Hair Technique:

Step One: Head and Hairline Outline

Start by sketching a rough outline of the character’s head and hairline. Make sure to keep the proportions correct, as this will serve as the foundation for your manga hair drawing.

Step Two: Choose the Hairstyle

Decide which hairstyle you want to draw for your character. Traditional manga hairstyles include straight, wavy, or curly locks; spiky or choppy styles; ponytails; or buns.

Step Three: Draw the Hair Strands

Draw strands of hair cascading from the hairline, following the general direction you outlined for the hairstyle. Keep in mind that manga hair tends to be more exaggerated than real-life hair, so feel free to play with the length and volume.

Step Four: Shading and Details

Add shading and details to make your manga hair look more realistic. Use different shades of your base color to create highlights and shadows on each strand.

2. Spiky Manga Hair Technique:

Step One: Basic Head Outline

Similar to the basic technique, start by drawing a rough outline of your character’s head and hairline.

Step Two: Define Spikes Direction

Decide where you want each spike of hair to point. Sketch some guidelines if necessary, making sure not to overcrowd the area with too many spikes.

Step Three: Draw Individual Spikes

Begin drawing individual spikes following the direction you’ve decided upon in step two. Make sure they stay consistent in thickness and length. Vary the size of the spikes to add more depth and dimension to the hair.

Step Four: Shading and Details

Add shading and details to your spiky hairstyle. Use highlights and shadows to give the illusion of depth, making the hair appear more three-dimensional.

3. Flowing Manga Hair Technique:

Step One: Basic Head Outline

As with other techniques, start by sketching a rough outline of the character’s head and hairline.

Step Two: Determine Hair Flow

Decide on the direction that you want the hair to flow (e.g., windblown, falling forward, etc.). Sketch guidelines for smooth or chaotic movement accordingly.

Step Three: Draw Individual Strands

Create individual strands following your guidelines while maintaining a flowing motion. Focus on giving the impression of movement without overcrowding your drawing with too many lines.

Step Four: Shading and Details

Finish off your flowing manga hair by adding shading and details. Use different tones to create depth, making sure to fade where appropriate for better consistency with movement.

Conclusion:

Drawing manga hair may seem daunting at first, but by practicing these three techniques, you’ll be able to create a diverse range of hairstyles for your characters. Experiment with different styles and textures so you can create the perfect look for each character in your manga creations!