Rendering Hair

Patricia Joyce · 03-16-2004, 12:10 PM

I am currently working on a portrait drawing in graphite, of my eight year old nephew. He has typical, short hair and I have such a difficult time rendering short straight hair. Should I create the tonal range of the roundness of the skull and then add in "hairs", pull out highlights with kneaded erasure? I know I've read somewhere not to "draw" every hair.

If anyone knows where this has already been addressed on the forum, please point me in that direction. Or if you could give me some pointers. I want to learn the right way to "draw" hair!

Thank you

Richard Huante · 03-16-2004, 02:50 PM

Hi Pat,

A method works for me (when working in graphite), is to render the form using the pencil strokes. That is, make sure the pencil strokes are drawn the same direction as the hair stokes. Don't blend too much; you might get a "helmet" appearance.

Also, rather than pull the highlights with an eraser, leave that area blank, and adjust the value with strokes as required. This seems to give it a fresher look.

I know Lon Haverly or Jimmie Arroyo could give you a better example, but I did a quick sketch to show you what I mean:

Richard Budig · 03-17-2004, 09:35 AM

I was taught that hair should be treated as a mass, especially in the dark and shadow parts. Squint, and then draw (or mass in) what you see. Usually near the face and in the some of the more highly lighted areas, a few hairs can be indicated. This will read as a full headof hair to the viewer. In quick sketches of people with curly hair, I'll squint, mass in all the tones, dark as well as lights, and then come back with quickly laid in squigly lines to indicate the hair. I paint portraits, mostly, so to keep my hand and eye in the game, I often go to local stores and do quick 5-10 minute sketches of people for free. I don't have time to draw hairs. I lay in masses and then grab a few details.

Patricia Joyce · 03-17-2004, 10:32 AM

Thank you Richard and Richard!!

I have posted my nephew in Drawing Critiques. As I worked on the hair last night I found I needed to mass in the tonal range and then draw some hair and I did use the kneaded erasure to pull out some highlights. It is still a frustrating and intimidating process but I suppose the more I do the better it will get.

Chris Saper · 03-17-2004, 04:47 PM

HI Pat,

I realized today that my mini-demo Painting blond hair in oil lost its images during the Forum upgrade. I just reposted the demo. It's more applicable when ou are working in oil or pastel.

Jimmie Arroyo · 03-18-2004, 10:39 AM

Don't know if I'm allowed to link from a different site, but I have this hair wip showing my procedure. Graphite, especially with straight hair, is easier than it looks.

Patricia Joyce · 03-18-2004, 11:14 AM

Thank you Chris and Jimmie,

I went to both reference sights and printed your demos, yours for later Chris, when I start painting, which I hope will be soon. Jimmie, I think your approach is right on and I realize it takes time to master the ability to make good strokes using the correct pressure to taper and putting the lines where you intend. I am beginning to notice, the more I draw that my line quality is slowly improving. Somewhat encouraging!!

I've received good lessons here this week!! I feel so grateful to you all!!