How To Draw Anime Hair

Drawing anime hair is an important skill because hair plays a big role in defining an anime character’s personality and style. Anime hair is often exaggerated, flowing and full of sharp or soft shapes that make characters unique and expressive. While it may seem complicated at first, anime hair becomes much easier to draw when you focus on large sections instead of individual strands. By building the hair step by step and adding details gradually, you can create clean and attractive anime hairstyles. This guide explains how to draw anime hair in an easy and clear way.

1. Start with the Head Shape

Before drawing hair, you need a head to build on.

• Draw a simple oval or circle for the head.
• Add a vertical center line and a horizontal eye line.
• Keep the lines light and clean.
• Leave the top and sides open for the hair.

These guidelines help position the hair correctly.

2. Draw the Hairline

The hairline shows where the hair begins.

• Draw a curved line across the forehead.
• Place it slightly above the eye line.
• Shape it gently to follow the head.
• Avoid drawing it too straight.

A natural hairline helps the hairstyle look realistic.

3. Create the Main Hair Shape

Anime hair is drawn in large sections.

• Draw the outer shape of the hair first.
• Use curved or pointed shapes depending on the style.
• Make the hair extend beyond the head shape.
• Keep the silhouette bold and clear.

This main shape defines the hairstyle.

4. Divide the Hair into Sections

Breaking the hair into sections makes it easier to draw.

• Draw several large clumps of hair.
• Let the sections overlap slightly.
• Use sharp tips for spiky hair or rounded tips for soft hair.
• Keep the sections uneven for a natural look.

Large sections are more important than tiny strands.

5. Add Bangs and Front Strands

Bangs frame the face and add expression.

• Draw strands falling over the forehead.
• Let some strands cross the guideline lines.
• Vary the length of the bangs.
• Keep the tips pointed or soft depending on style.

Bangs give anime characters personality and emotion.

6. Add Inner Lines and Texture

Inner lines add depth and movement.

• Draw thin lines inside each hair section.
• Start the lines near the roots and taper them outward.
• Follow the direction of the hair flow.
• Avoid drawing too many lines.

These lines suggest texture without overcrowding the drawing.

7. Add Shading and Highlights

Shading makes anime hair look polished.

• Choose one side to be slightly darker.
• Shade under overlapping sections.
• Leave blank or lightly shaded areas for highlights.
• Keep shading smooth and simple.

Highlights give anime hair its shiny, stylized look.

8. Finalize with Clean Lines

Finish the drawing by refining the hair.

• Darken the final outlines carefully.
• Erase extra guidelines.
• Check that the hair flows naturally.
• Make sure the style matches the character.

Also Read: How To Draw A Tie