13 Easy Hair Drawing Ideas for Beginners
If you want to improve your sketches, exploring easy hair drawing ideas will help you add life and personality to your art.
Drawing hair can seem tricky, but simple techniques make it approachable for beginners and experienced artists. You only need a pencil, paper, and a few minutes to start practicing these styles.
You will find that each hair idea focuses on a different shape, texture, or angle. This variety helps you build confidence and understand how hair behaves in real life.
You can try each idea in your sketchbook, so you can see which styles suit your characters best.
These ideas work for portraits, comics, or even quick doodles. You should use them as warm-ups or to add detail to your finished drawings.
The tips below in each section will help you avoid common mistakes and make your hair sketches stand out. So let’s get started.
Note: Some links in this article are affiliate links.
Supplies You Need for Hair Drawing
You do not need many tools to start drawing hair. Focus on a few basics so you can practice line control and shading.
You can start with simple materials. This keeps your process fast and helps you improve faster.
Here are some supplies:
• Pencils: Use HB for sketching and light outlines. Use 2B or 4B for darker lines and shading.
• Eraser: A regular eraser works for cleaning lines. A kneaded eraser helps you lift graphite and create soft highlights in hair.
• Paper: Use smooth paper for clean lines. Printer paper works fine when you start.
• Sharpener: Keep your pencil sharp. Fine tips help you draw thin hair strands.
• Blending tool: Use a tissue or blending stump to soften shading and create smooth transitions.
• Reference image: Pick a simple hairstyle like a ponytail. This helps you understand hair flow and direction. But we have many images in this blog post list, you can pick one.
I recommend that you start with these tools and practice often. You will gain control over lines and shading with each drawing.
Related blog post: 15 Line Art Drawing Ideas for Beginners.
13 Easy Hair Drawing Ideas to Try Today
These easy hair drawing ideas cover a range of styles, textures, and angles. As you can see below, each one includes tips so that you can practice and improve your skills right away.
Here are some of the hair drawing ideas:
1. Easy Short Bob Hair Drawing Idea
A short bob is one of the easiest hairstyles to draw because it has a clear shape and minimal layers.
You should start with the outline of the head, then sketch the curved line of the bob just below the chin. Add a few lines for texture, following the hair's curve.
You should keep the lines loose and avoid overworking the details. Focus on the overall silhouette, so the style looks natural and balanced.
Make sure to use light shading to show where the hair tucks behind the ear or curves under the chin.
This style works well for portraits and character sketches. If you want to practice, draw the bob from different angles to see how the shape changes.
2. Easy Wavy Hair Drawing Idea For Beginners
Wavy hair adds movement and interest to your sketches. You can begin by drawing the head, then sketch loose S-shaped lines to form the waves. Keep the waves uneven for a more natural look.
You need to avoid making the waves too uniform, because real hair falls in random patterns. Add a few lines inside the waves to suggest strands and texture. Lightly shade the areas between the waves for depth.
This style is great for casual portraits or characters with a relaxed vibe. Try drawing the waves at different lengths to see what works best.
3. Easy Ponytail Hair Drawing Idea
A ponytail is a classic and easy hair drawing idea that works for many characters. Draw the head, then sketch the hair pulled back tightly from the forehead.
Make sure to show the ponytail band, then let the hair flow down or to the side.
I recommend adding a few loose strands around the face for a more natural appearance. Use long, sweeping lines for the ponytail itself, so it looks full and dynamic.
You can shade lightly where the hair bunches at the band.
This style is quick to draw and perfect for action poses or sporty characters. Experiment with ponytail height and direction to add variety.
4. Easy Curly Hair Drawing Idea
Curly hair can look complex, but you can simplify it by focusing on basic shapes. You need to start by outlining the head, then sketch small, overlapping circles or spirals to represent curls.
Make sure to vary the size and direction for a natural effect.
You should use short, curved lines to add texture and volume. Shade lightly between the curls, so the hair looks full but not flat. Avoid drawing every single curl, because suggestion works better than detail.
This idea is useful for drawing kids, playful characters, or anyone with lots of personality. Practice different curl sizes to see which style you prefer.
5. Easy Side Braid Hair Drawing
A side braid is a fun way to practice drawing woven textures. You can begin by sketching the head and the path of the braid over the shoulder. Draw the braid as a series of overlapping loops or teardrop shapes.
You need to keep the braid loose and add a few stray hairs for realism. Lightly shade the inside of each loop to show where the hair overlaps. Use a few curved lines to suggest the direction of the strands.
This style is great for fantasy characters or everyday portraits. Try changing the braid’s thickness or adding hair ties for variety.
Related blog post: How to Draw Braids Step by Step?
6. Easy Spiky Hair Drawing
Spiky hair is popular in cartoons and comics because it’s bold and expressive. Start with the head shape, then sketch sharp, pointed spikes radiating from the crown. Vary the length and angle of each spike for interest.
I recommend using strong, confident lines to define each spike. Shade the base of the spikes to show where they overlap. Keep the spikes uneven, so the style looks dynamic instead of stiff.
This idea works well for energetic or rebellious characters. Try experimenting with spike size and direction for different personalities.
7. Easy Messy Bun Hair Drawing Idea
A messy bun is quick to draw and adds a relaxed feel to your sketches. Draw the head, then sketch a loose, round bun on top. Let a few strands escape from the bun and around the face.
You should use short, curved lines to suggest the bun’s texture. Lightly shade the inside of the bun and under the loose strands for depth. Avoid making the bun too perfect, because the charm is in its messiness.
This style is perfect for casual portraits or characters at home. Practice different bun sizes and placements to see what looks best.
8. Easy Long Straight Hair Drawing
Long straight hair is simple but elegant. Start by drawing the head and the center part. Use long, straight lines to show the hair falling past the shoulders.
You need to keep your lines parallel and avoid making the hair too stiff. Add a few curved lines to suggest movement and volume. Lightly shade under the hair and near the part for depth.
This style suits formal portraits or characters with a classic look. Try different part placements or hair lengths for variety.
9. Easy Short Spiky Pixie Hair Drawing
A short spiky pixie cut is bold and easy to sketch. Draw the head shape, then outline the hairline close to the scalp. Add short, choppy spikes along the top and sides.
I recommend using quick, flicking strokes for the spikes. Vary the length and direction to keep the style lively. Shade lightly at the roots for extra dimension.
This idea works for modern, edgy characters or quick fashion sketches. Try different angles to see how the spikes change with the head’s tilt.
10. Easy Pigtails Hair Drawing Idea
Pigtails are playful and easy to draw for all ages. You should start with the head and the center part, then sketch two sections of hair pulled to each side.
Make sure to draw the pigtails tied with bands and let them hang down or stick out.
You should add a few loose strands around the face and at the ends of the pigtails. Use curved lines for a soft, bouncy look. Lightly shade under the pigtails for depth.
This style is great for kids, whimsical characters, or retro looks. Try different pigtail heights and thicknesses for variety.
11. Easy Layered Shag Hair Drawing
A layered shag haircut adds texture and volume to your hair drawings. Start by outlining the head, then sketch the basic shape of the hair. Add choppy, uneven layers using short, quick strokes.
You need to show the direction of each layer by following the head’s curve. Shade lightly between layers to emphasize the texture. Avoid making the layers too uniform, so the style looks natural.
This idea works for trendy characters or anyone who needs a bit of edge. Practice different layer lengths and angles to master the look.
12. Easy Bangs And Fringe Hair Drawing Idea
Bangs or fringe can change a character’s look instantly. Draw the head and sketch a straight or slightly curved line across the forehead for the bangs.
After that, make sure to let the rest of the hair fall naturally around the face.
I recommend using short, vertical strokes for the bangs to show the direction of the hair. Add a few stray strands for realism. Shade lightly under the bangs to separate them from the forehead.
This style works for cute, youthful characters or anyone who wants a soft look. Experiment with different bang lengths and shapes for variety.
13. Easy High Bun Hair Drawing Idea
A high bun is elegant and simple to draw. You need to start by sketching the head and the hair pulled tightly upward.
Make sure to draw a round bun on top, using curved lines to show the hair wrapping around itself.
You should keep the bun smooth and add a few lines for texture. Shade lightly under the bun and where the hair meets the scalp for depth. Avoid making the bun too large, so it stays realistic.
This style is perfect for formal portraits or dancers. Try different bun sizes and positions to fit your character’s personality.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, practicing these easy hair drawing ideas will help you build confidence and add variety to your sketches. Each style teaches you something new about shape, texture, or movement.
I recommend that you try drawing each idea several times, so you can see your progress and develop your own favorite techniques.
More blog posts:
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about hair drawings:
What tools do I need for easy hair drawing ideas?
You only need a pencil, eraser, and paper to start. You can also use colored pencils or pens for extra detail, but simple tools work best for practice.
How do I make hair look more realistic in my drawings?
Focus on the overall shape first, then add lines for texture and shading for depth. Avoid drawing every strand and instead suggest the flow and volume of the hair.
How can I improve at drawing different hairstyles?
Practice drawing from reference photos and try each style from different angles. You should also experiment with line weight and shading to see what looks best.
Should I draw the head before adding hair?
Yes, you should always sketch the head shape first. This helps you place the hair correctly and keeps your proportions accurate.
How do I avoid making hair look flat in my sketches?
Add shading where the hair overlaps or bunches together. Use curved lines to show volume and avoid making all the lines parallel or straight.
