How to Draw Hair (or Animal Fur) in Pencil

Some Tips for Beginners Drawing from Photos

How to draw hair (or animal fur) using graphite pencil - or at least, this is how I do it.  I am a self taught published artist and I learned most of my techniques by  experimenting.

Start by using a heavy enough paper. Regular typing paper or the student grade drawing paper isn't very good for this - you want a Bristol paper, at least 2 ply, so it can hold up with the erasing
 technique.

Looking at the photo or the person - look for the darkest areas of the hair. Try not to obsess over the fact that it's hair, if that intimidates you. Try to ignore that it's hair, and just focus your eyes on what areas are dark and what parts are light. I draw in the darkest areas first, then use the side of the pencil to fill in the rest of it. If you have trouble seeing the dark and light areas, then try turning your reference photo sideways or upside down. Look for shapes in the hair that are dark. Just copy those shapes.

On top of that, draw in the lines - not too heavy, use flowing movements, following the lines of the hair in the reference photo (or the live sitting, whichever the case). Don't feel pressure to match every line exactly, you just want to get the feel and direction of the hairs going at this point.

Use kneaded rubber eraser to bring out the large areas that will appear the lightest. Don't go too rough with the eraser or the paper will get too rubbed. If you look closely at the person or the reference photograph, you will see there is a curved band of light on the hair - you want to portray this so the hair will look more realistic and the head shape will become apparent.
Blend to soften, using facial tissue (the kind without lotion added), or chamois.

Then use a Pentel Click Eraser (I either cut or break off the tip of it to create a fine edge of eraser I can use). Use this fine edge for the fine highlights in the hair, drawing down and away from the light area made with the kneaded rubber eraser previously.

I use the erasers in a similar fashion as I use the pencil...use soft flowing movements, don't be too straight or apply too much pressure...have a light touch. Let yourself relax and draw with the eraser.

Related information
  • Drawing is something you can teach yourself.
  • Similar techniques can be used for drawing both human and animal hair.
  • It's important to spend a good amount of time practicing to achieve results.
 
Comments 1 - 4 of 4  
Comments
Type in Your Comments Below

Wow,really enjoyed your article. Fascinating!

Posted on 07/24/2006 at 8:07:00 PM

Makes me want to reach for the pencils and sketch block - thanks Darla.

Posted on 07/24/2006 at 8:07:00 AM

Congratulations on your first published article on AC. Fantastic article, Darla! AND, your art site is awesome, too. Great artwork! Naomi (-:

Posted on 07/23/2006 at 11:07:00 PM

awesome article!!

Posted on 07/12/2006 at 10:07:00 AM

Comments 1 - 4 of 4