Drawing Hair - the basic method

[Mike Sibley]

This is the basic method of drawing a curving lock of hair. Once you are used to working this way, you can use or adapt it to draw many types of hair. The main thing to remember at all times is you draw the gaps or shadows between each hair, not the hair itself.

When you draw lines to represent hairs, you're drawing dark marks on a light background. That's the reverse of what naturally occurs. The only exception is when the hairs are against a light or white background - such as a Border Collie's black hair overlapping its white hair.

This is a test video I made while I was learning to film and edit, and record sound (this is live - no script): HAIR-WAVE-DEMO

[ElaineH]

I found this really helpful Mike, (as I did 'Riley the Video') do you have any more of these short demos??

[Mike Sibley]

The only other video I have on my server is one I made for a past Drawspace student who was having problems with shading.

I used the opportunity to test my new video equipment. And the intro is the one I intend to use for later subject-based videos - using a different locally based scene for each one. Or a scene linked to the subject.

BASIC SHADING - 12:30 in length. Best viewed in fullscreen.

[ElaineH]

Thank you Mike, found that helpful as well. The intro scene is lovely - maybe a landscape drawing one day?

[Mike Sibley]

maybe a landscape drawing one day?

Maybe a landscape drawing one day definitely! It's on my list of future videos - when I've learned enough about video to produce a decent product. Seacscapes and townscapes too... Big scenes down to small detailed drawings.

That scene is across the fields behind my studio. I shot many in anticipation of using them - then I upgraded from my lovely 720p SD Sony to my new Panasonic 1080p HD cameras. So they're usable but I'll have to reshoot at some time. All we need is a decent summer

[LindasPencils]

This is excellent Mike - thank you, clear and a good resource that explains the negative drawing techniques of hair and fur well.

and I look forward to that landscape drawing! I have done a few with w/s graphites and/or tortillons to assist. Still experimenting with different techniques so look forward to that someday definitely video!

[Mike Sibley]

This is excellent Mike - thank you, clear and a good resource that explains the negative drawing techniques of hair and fur well.

You ain't seen nothing yet! (I hate double negatives but it's obligatory here )

You wait until I get into the Drawing Hair flow... I was thinking about that this morning, because it's a HUGE subject.

And it's a sort of "chicken and egg" situation too. Negative drawing first? Or hair first? I think Negative Drawing, because then describing the drawing of hair is easier to understand.

[Laurene]

These videos are very helpful Mike. Thanks for doing these. It's easy to start relying on erasers rather than taking the time to plot out where the paper needs to be preserved. I've taken enough of your workshops to thinks twice (and more) before setting pencil to paper and I still sometimes forget to preserve those precious whites!

[Mike Sibley]

I've taken enough of your workshops to thinks twice (and more) before setting pencil to paper and I still sometimes forget to preserve those precious whites!

You will only ever have that pure white once. As soon as you add graphite, you're unlikely to ever return it to its pristine condition.

I think it's because I've drawn so much hair over the years that the "preserve the white at all cost" method became established. I know a lot of artists erase light hairs, but that never satisfies me - because the edges are always soft. Hard edges require Negative Drawing - drawing around the hairs. And Negative Drawing necessarily promotes the preservation of pristine whites.

Many more videos to come, Laurene. The next in a few days - I take two days off work each year, and they begin tomorrow A little fine-tuning and Video #22 will be launched next week.