Draw braids

A hairstyle can have many functions in a portrait drawing.

Drawing braids can seem really complicated at first but it becomes quite easy once you get into the habit of drawing the basic shapes. Draw boxes that connect at adjacent angles to create a zig-zag pattern in the middle. Use light lines in this step because these will be the guidelines for the next step in the process. Pay attention to the proportions of these boxes, you can keep them all the same size or you can slowly make them smaller to give the braids a tapered shape. These boxes can be thought of as upside-down hearts that are stacked on top of each other.

Draw braids

However, you can use any brushes you want. When you make this line, keep in mind that the zig-zag should be bigger on the top and smaller on the bottom of your braid. Start elongating the lines from the zig-zag to create a longer curved line that touches the one that is on top of it. Turn off the layer where you have the guidelines, and, there you have the basic sketch for a regular braid. Draw more hairs on the edges and in the middle of the braid, saving an area in the center of each hair strand for the highlights. Start making darker hair strands on the edges of each strand of hair in the braid to give it more dimension. To make your braid look more realistic, start adding small hairs coming out of each section of hair. For the loose hairs, I used the " lone strand detail" brush from the hair set of Procreate brushes. The gaps in this zig-zag should be small for it to look like a fishtail braid instead of a regular one. Once you like how this is looking, add soft curved lines where the braid and the lines you did before meet to create the hair tie. Start to add soft shadows where on the edges of the braid and in the center area where the zig-zag is. Extra tip: You can use the same brush like an eraser to tidy up your drawing a bit. Start to make darker hair strands in the areas where there are more shadows, like in the center, and the edges of the braid. Using the hair brush as an eraser, start to add subtle highlights in the center of the hair strands.

Looking at the image below, notice where the cast shadows are located: on the right side of the braid, they are underneath each section of the braid. Yes, draw braids, physically stand up and step back.

Last Updated: August 6, To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed , times. Learn more Braids are a challenge that have frustrated many artists. The good news is that it often becomes easier with practice. Tip: Use the elbow and wrist to keep your strokes loose.

You just need to follow a few simple steps. Only looking for help with one specific area of braids drawing? We start with a quick overview of the different steps you will take. A simple braid is usually made up of three roughly equal sections of hair which are interwoven in an overlapping pattern and tied at the bottom to hold the hair in place. Starting with one of the outer sections, you bring one section of hair over the middle section and pull it tight, therefore the section you started with is now the middle piece of hair. Repeat this step with the strand of hair that is now on the left side and bring it into the middle.

Draw braids

Last Updated: August 6, To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed , times. Learn more

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Notice how sharp they are in the image above: this was necessary for the final stages of the shading process throughout my block-in and initial stages of shading, however, the leads were quite a bit shorter. Popular Categories. I also look for a balance of simplicity and complexity in my drawings, and feel that I have achieved this here: there are more detailed, complex areas, as well as simpler ones. How to draw a braid: first step. Why do this? Download Free Worksheet. Featured Articles How to. Braided hair will be wider on top and narrower towards the bottom. In this case, most of the drawing is darker than the white of the paper. Site Map. Use guidelines when possible, simplifying down the process will make everything much easier. Downloadable Resources.

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Add more lines towards the ends where the hairs fold under and fewer lines over the top. Start making darker hair strands on the edges of each strand of hair in the braid to give it more dimension. The process of shading a realistic braid can be summarized in this way:. Stay loose and relaxed. Just the 'tail' of the braid is left in my second pass of shading notice that it's still looking very general compared to the rest of the drawing. I demonstrate anchoring and the techniques I use to gain the most stability and control of my pencil in this video. I discuss the stages of shading in more detail and demonstrate the process of shading a subject from beginning to end in my video course: Realistic Drawing All Rights Reserved. Where are the most obvious 'sections', or divisions in the hair? However, as you look for the level of detail that you want, it will become easier to see.