Painting Hair : A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Find a reference pic if you need, you can find tons on Pinterest or you can use my Pinterest board if you want or, can continue with the same hairstyle as my drawing. When you are done with the sketch set layer mode to Multiply.

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Step 2: Fill the sketch with the base colour below the Sketch Layer

*For layer arrangement & colour palette you can get access to the Source File on Patreon ; also included in Muzenik Procreate Collection: All Inclusive with Free Lifetime Updates

✏️ Pro Tip

Paint hair in layers — start with the base colour, then add mid-tones, and finish with fine highlight strands on top. Always follow the natural direction of hair flow for a realistic result!

Step 3: Create a new layer above the base color, set the blend mode to Multiply, and apply it as a clipping mask. Use the base color to paint shadows, imagining a front light source, and shade areas without direct light as shown below.

Step 4: Next, add highlights by creating a new layer above the shadow layer. Select a lighter shade of the base color and apply it to the areas where light is most likely to hit, as shown in the image.

Step 5: Next, gently blend the highlights. I also increased the saturation of the layer, but this step is optional and depends entirely on your color preferences. Feel free to experiment with it.

Step 6:  Adding details and modifications! You can keep it simple, or go all out with details; it’s up to you. I like a balanced approach, so I switch between the base, highlight, and shadow colors, painting hair strands and refining the highlights as needed.

If you don’t like something you can modify or change it as you like. You can also save the painting and import it as a new layer and, then make modifications as needed, that way you don’t have to switch between different layers to make modifications and, you are done !

Hope you guys found this helpful, feel free to ask if have any questions. I used the "Charcoal" brush from my Procreate Sketch/Pencil Brushes for the sketch: for coloring "Details" brush and, for blending "Soft Blending" brush from my Procreate Painting Brushes

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Check out more of my blogposts :

Is Art the Right Career for You?

Tutorial : How to make it GLOW

Tutorial : How I Blend Colors in Procreate: A step by step tutorial for beginners 

5 Ways to Grow Your Instagram Followings as an Artist

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1 comment

  • Thank you for this lesson and inspiration:)

    Angel Rivera

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