How To Draw African American Hairstyles

In this tutorial, we'll await at drawing multiple hairstyles that tend to be pop choices for natural, afro textured hair: afros, locs, braids, and twists. While these styles could potentially be worn past people with other hair types, we will primarily focus on Type 4 pilus.

We'll take a stylistic approach in this tutorial. Please note that this is non an exhaustive listing; at that place are a myriad of styles and options out there, and no two subjects are exactly alike. People come up in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (equally does their hair!). One of the best means to discover a subject is to do just that: observe. When in doubtfulness, await at properly sourced reference materials.

1. Pilus Types

Pace 1

"Type 4" more often than not refers to the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, a general classification organisation for identifying hair's attributes. It is not a flawless system, nor is it without valid criticisms, but we'll employ information technology equally a general starting indicate in this tutorial.

Blazon 4 is coily pilus—or very tight curls—which are typically quite voluminous. Note, for example, the difference between a ponytail on Type 1 hair (directly) and Type four hair (coily). Denser curls or coils will typically effect in book that you would generally not see in straighter hair types.

Footstep 2

That said, It's important to keep the hair's volume in mind, when observing and visually experimenting with hairstyles. Notation, for case, how the hair varies when parting Blazon ane hair (straight) and Blazon 4 hair (coily). Changing the way the hair is sectioned on the caput tin redistribute its volume.

2. How to Draw Afro Hairstyles

Step one

Let'south brainstorm by looking at afro inspired hairstyles. I have Type 4 hair myself, and it's my favorite style to wear!

Type 4 pilus is generally separated into 4A, 4B, and 4C, but some people may have a combination of more than one type. Mostly speaking, the scale relates to the density or tightness of the coils. This, then, oft affects how the volume is distributed on the head. Again, people come up in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors—these are overall insights and not a representation of every person out in that location (every bit we all vary!).

Here are some basic contours that illustrate unlike ways the volume could be distributed on the skull, inspired past 4A, 4B, and 4C pilus.

Pace 2

Something I like to keep in mind, when cartoon this hair type, is that the hair is coily (or curly). So, this by and large isn't a fourth dimension when I would use directly lines—every bit the hair isn't straight. Instead, varied contours will often brand for a more organic aesthetic.

For more on drawing this hair type, I recommend checking out my How to Draw Natural, Afro Textured Hair tutorial.

Here'southward an example of how we could accept those basic contours and add varied lines to brainstorm to define the hair's shape.

Step three

Now, let'southward explore some different means afros tin exist styled.

These are examples, but by no means an exhaustive listing. Over again, note that when the pilus is pulled back, book is redistributed.

Here are some bones, initial contours that explore three different styles.

Now, utilize varied lines to further define the forms and create an organic look and feel.

3. How to Depict Locs

Pace one

Locs are beautiful, aren't they? Visually, they are typically divers as thick "locks" of hair, permanently leap in strands. That said, when drawing them, I like to approach them as a long, cylindrical shape.

In green, yous'll see a long, cylindrical shape that has some variation to information technology. These are my initial contours, where I've explored the shape I want to draw. And so, I can draw details on acme.

We won't be looking at value or color in this tutorial, just texture and other variations can still be implied with line. Again, I similar to utilise varied, organic lines to establish a more natural look.

Step 2

So, when drawing an unabridged head of hair, I like to work in a serial of layered, cylindrical shapes. In this example, I started at the hairline and connected to build upon it. It's of import to call up about how the lines motion and flow on the skull.

This might sound a little silly, only I like to think about wrapping thick spaghetti around a round surface, similar a bowling ball.

Step iii

Once I've blocked out how I'd like the hair to sit and flow on the caput, I can brainstorm to refine my work. Again, note the varied lines on the outer contours of the strands.

And then, personally, I like to add a piddling unsaid texture with line. Note the purple ovals here; they visually stand for the depth of the loc. Notice how it visually implies the circumference, in comparing to the green line, which does not. The surface of the loc is not direct, so a curved line may exist a better selection for defining depth and texture here.

Pace 4

Allow's effort this with some variations. Below, I've blocked out some other ways ane might wearable locs.

Pace 5

One time you're happy with where your shapes have been placed, you can refine your piece of work with varied lines.

Step 6

And finally, line can be used to further establish volume and texture.

4. How to Depict Braids

Braids and locs take some visual similarities; both are generally cylinder-like, when thinking about bones shapes. There are many, many dissimilar means that braids tin be created and worn. Personally, I've worn braids both layered and affluent confronting my scalp. The divergence is exactly as they sound.

Step ane

In the first way, the hair is sectioned and braided in a layered fashion. This concept is similar to what nosotros explored in the previous section of this tutorial.

I laid out some unproblematic lines to decide how I'd like the hair to menstruation. A large departure hither, in how I like to draw braids, is the outer contour of the braid. Personally, I like to describe them with a more uniform look.

Step two

Braids themselves tend to have a pattern to them, as the hair is braided in a repetitive mode. I like to draw braids via a series of swooping lines, every bit shown in royal. And then, I create the same kind of lines, in the opposite management, as shown in blue.

I like to focus on the general texture and pattern that these lines create, when drawing this style with line.

Step 3

In some styles, the hair is sectioned, but braided in a way that conforms to the head. Styles like this come in a wide variety of patterns and cute, artistic interpretations. Note the visible scalp area.

Similarly to other styles, I like to outset by blocking out basic shapes. And then, I can continue by creating a braid-like pattern on top, keeping the menses that I created in mind as I draw.

Step iv

Now, let'southward explore this further with some additional examples. Keep in mind that hair can likewise be partially braided!

Again, I started with bones contours that assistance found what I want to draw, how the hair will be placed, and how it sits on the head.

Step 5

Then, using the same method of creating patterns, I followed my guidelines. Once again, I don't like to focus too difficult on geometric perfection in my personal, stylistic choices. Translate this the style that works best for your artistic goals.

5. How to Depict Twists

Step 1

Let's likewise take a look at drawing two stranded twists. Y'all'll notice similarities in the basic shapes here—once again, I like to recollect about long, cylindrical shapes when I'm drawing. However, we'll work with a different blueprint.

Instead of 3 braided strands, we're working with ii twisted ones. The bluish line illustrates how I would start the strand, and the pink illustrates how I would "close" it upwards.

Stride ii

Keep in mind, however, that the way the hair sits on the head can vary! Permit's try the same techniques, but with the hair layered on the caput in a unlike style.

Again, I started past blocking out the forms (in green), and then added particular and pattern using the method described in blue and pink.

Stride three

So, when cartoon this type of twist, I would recommend keeping the context of the other styles nosotros've reviewed in mind. Yous volition generally see similarities in layering and volume, but a difference in blueprint.

Allow's try this with some boosted examples.

Over again, start with basic contours and shapes. Recollect well-nigh how you'd like the strands to sit on the head.

Pace 4

So, you lot can refine your initial concept, keeping pattern and variation in mind, in a like fashion to braids.

And There You Have It

We've explored multiple hairstyles that are often popular with Type 4 hair. Again, this is by no means "the finish"—there are so many different means hair tin can be styled! Hopefully, this tutorial provided you with some insight and inspiration to go depict and experiment with your own lovely looks.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, hither are some others that might interest you! Happy drawing!

Source: https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-draw-natural-textured-afro-hairstyles-afros-locs-braids-twists--cms-31686

Posted by: garrendoperelpland.blogspot.com

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