How to Draw Curly Hair
Draw a portrait with curly hair using step by step spiral strokes, layering, and shading. Practice creating texture, volume, and natural curls.
About this tutorial
Draw a portrait with curly hair using step by step spiral strokes, layering, and shading. Practice creating texture, volume, and natural curls.
What you need
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Lightly draw the head shape with an oval and a simple neck.
- 2
Step 2
Mark a soft hairline and draw one part or direction line to show how the hair will flow.
- 3
Step 3
Block in the hair volume using large fluffy cloud shapes around the head.
- 4
Step 4
Draw long curved lines inside each cloud to show the main curl directions.
- 5
Step 5
Add spiral or loop shapes inside the cloud masses to suggest individual curls.
- 6
Step 6
Draw overlapping curl edges where one curl sits over another to create layers.
- 7
Step 7
Erase stray construction lines outside the hair shapes to tidy the drawing.
- 8
Step 8
Shade the underside of each curl with light pencil strokes to create shadows.
- 9
Step 9
Darken the deepest shadow areas where curls overlap or meet the scalp.
- 10
Step 10
Add midtone shading across the curl bodies with softer strokes.
- 11
Step 11
Gently blend the midtones with a tissue or cotton swab for smooth texture.
- 12
Step 12
Use the eraser to lift thin highlights along the tops and edges of curls.
- 13
Step 13
Add short texture strokes and tiny curl details for a lively finish.
- 14
Step 14
Step back and look from a little distance to spot any areas that need more contrast.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished curly hair drawing on DIY.org.
Get inspired
Fun facts
How do I draw curly hair step by step for a child?
Start with a simple head shape and mark the hairline and part. Block in big shapes to show volume using loose curved lines. Add curl groups by drawing S- and spiral-shaped lines, varying size and direction. Erase construction lines, then add short overlapping strokes and gentle shading along the roots and underside for depth. Finish with highlights by leaving light areas and refining stray hairs for a natural look.
What materials do I need to draw curly hair with a pencil and eraser?
You’ll need basic drawing paper, a range of pencils (HB for guidelines, 2B–4B for darker curls), a soft eraser and a kneaded eraser, and a sharpener. Optional extras: a blending stump or cotton swab for smooth shading, a reference photo, and a ruler for head proportions. Keep materials simple and child-friendly to build confidence and focus on technique rather than tools.
What ages is learning to draw curly hair suitable for?
This activity suits children aged about 6–12, with adaptations. Younger kids (6–8) can follow simplified shapes and bold curls, while older children (9–12) can practice finer line work and shading for volume. Supervise very young children when using sharp tools. Progress at the child’s pace, celebrating attempts and gradually introducing texture and light concepts as their fine motor skills improve.
What are the benefits and variations of drawing curly hair for portrait practice?
Drawing curly hair builds observation, fine motor control, and understanding of texture, volume, and light. It teaches kids to break complex forms into simple shapes and improves shading skills. Variations include practicing tight coils, loose waves, ringlets, or using charcoal or colored pencils to explore contrast and color. These exercises boost confidence for more advanced portrait features like eyes and noses.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have a tissue or cotton swabs for blending—what can I use instead?
For 'Gently blend the midtones with a tissue or cotton swab,' substitute a folded tissue, a clean fingertip, a corner of a paper towel, or a pencil blending stump to smooth the pencil strokes.
My curls look flat—what should I fix in the steps to make them look 3D?
Make the drawing pop by following 'Shade the underside of each curl with light pencil strokes,' 'Darken the deepest shadow areas where curls overlap or meet the scalp,' and then 'Use the eraser to lift thin highlights along the tops and edges of curls.'
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or older kids?
For younger children simplify to 'Lightly draw the head shape,' 'Mark a soft hairline,' and 'Block in the hair volume using large fluffy cloud shapes' with big curved lines, while older kids can add spiral or loop shapes, overlapping curl edges, layered midtone shading, and blending for realism.
How can we extend or personalize the finished curly hair drawing?
Personalize it by changing the 'one part or direction line' to try different hair flows, varying spiral sizes and overlap patterns, adding accessories or color after blending midtones, and then share your finished curly hair drawing on DIY.org.