How To Draw Black Girl Braids

In this tutorial, we'll look at drawing multiple hairstyles that tend to be popular choices for natural, afro textured hair: afros, locs, braids, and twists. While these styles could potentially be worn by people with other hair types, nosotros will primarily focus on Type iv hair.

We'll take a stylistic arroyo in this tutorial. Please annotation that this is not an exhaustive list; there are a myriad of styles and options out there, and no 2 subjects are exactly alike. People come in a diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors (every bit does their hair!). 1 of the all-time ways to observe a subject is to practise but that: observe. When in doubt, look at properly sourced reference materials.

1. Pilus Types

Step 1

"Type iv" by and large refers to the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, a general classification organization for identifying hair'south attributes. It is not a flawless system, nor is it without valid criticisms, but nosotros'll use it as a full general starting bespeak in this tutorial.

Type 4 is coily hair—or very tight curls—which are typically quite voluminous. Note, for example, the difference between a ponytail on Type 1 hair (straight) and Blazon 4 pilus (coily). Denser curls or coils will typically consequence in volume that you would by and large non come across in straighter hair types.

Step 2

That said, It's important to continue the pilus's volume in heed, when observing and visually experimenting with hairstyles. Note, for example, how the hair varies when departing Type 1 hair (straight) and Type 4 hair (coily). Irresolute the fashion the hair is sectioned on the head tin can redistribute its volume.

2. How to Draw Afro Hairstyles

Stride 1

Let'due south begin by looking at afro inspired hairstyles. I take Type four hair myself, and it'southward my favorite style to wear!

Type four pilus is generally separated into 4A, 4B, and 4C, only some people may accept a combination of more than than one blazon. Generally speaking, the scale relates to the density or tightness of the coils. This, so, often affects how the volume is distributed on the head. Over again, people come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors—these are overall insights and not a representation of every person out at that place (as nosotros all vary!).

Hither are some basic contours that illustrate different ways the volume could exist distributed on the skull, inspired by 4A, 4B, and 4C hair.

Step 2

Something I like to continue in listen, when drawing this hair type, is that the hair is coily (or curly). And so, this more often than not isn't a time when I would use straight lines—as the hair isn't straight. Instead, varied contours will often make for a more organic aesthetic.

For more on drawing this hair type, I recommend checking out my How to Depict Natural, Afro Textured Pilus tutorial.

Here'south an instance of how nosotros could have those basic contours and add varied lines to begin to ascertain the hair's shape.

Step three

Now, let'due south explore some different ways afros can be styled.

These are examples, only past no means an exhaustive list. Once again, annotation that when the hair is pulled back, book is redistributed.

Here are some basic, initial contours that explore three different styles.

At present, use varied lines to further ascertain the forms and create an organic await and feel.

3. How to Draw Locs

Step 1

Locs are beautiful, aren't they? Visually, they are typically defined every bit thick "locks" of hair, permanently bound in strands. That said, when cartoon them, I like to approach them as a long, cylindrical shape.

In greenish, you lot'll encounter a long, cylindrical shape that has some variation to it. These are my initial contours, where I've explored the shape I want to draw. Then, I can draw details on peak.

We won't be looking at value or color in this tutorial, but texture and other variations can still be unsaid with line. Again, I like to use varied, organic lines to constitute a more than natural wait.

Stride 2

So, when drawing an entire caput of pilus, I similar to work in a series of layered, cylindrical shapes. In this case, I started at the hairline and connected to build upon information technology. It'south of import to think most how the lines move and menstruation on the skull.

This might sound a little airheaded, but I similar to think well-nigh wrapping thick spaghetti around a circular surface, like a bowling brawl.

Step 3

Once I've blocked out how I'd like the hair to sit down and flow on the head, I can brainstorm to refine my work. Again, note the varied lines on the outer contours of the strands.

Then, personally, I like to add together a little implied texture with line. Note the majestic ovals hither; they visually correspond the depth of the loc. Observe how it visually implies the circumference, in comparison to the green line, which does not. The surface of the loc is not straight, and so a curved line may be a better choice for defining depth and texture hither.

Stride 4

Let's try this with some variations. Below, I've blocked out some other ways i might clothing locs.

Step v

One time you lot're happy with where your shapes have been placed, you lot tin can refine your piece of work with varied lines.

Step six

And finally, line can be used to further establish book and texture.

4. How to Draw Braids

Braids and locs have some visual similarities; both are generally cylinder-similar, when thinking about basic shapes. At that place are many, many dissimilar ways that braids can be created and worn. Personally, I've worn braids both layered and affluent against my scalp. The difference is exactly every bit they sound.

Step 1

In the first fashion, the pilus is sectioned and braided in a layered manner. This concept is similar to what we explored in the previous department of this tutorial.

I laid out some elementary lines to decide how I'd similar the hair to flow. A large departure here, in how I like to draw braids, is the outer profile of the complect. Personally, I like to draw them with a more compatible await.

Pace 2

Braids themselves tend to have a pattern to them, every bit the hair is braided in a repetitive fashion. I like to draw braids via a series of swooping lines, as shown in purple. Then, I create the same kind of lines, in the contrary direction, as shown in blue.

I like to focus on the general texture and design that these lines create, when drawing this way with line.

Step 3

In some styles, the hair is sectioned, but braided in a manner that conforms to the head. Styles similar this come in a wide variety of patterns and beautiful, artistic interpretations. Note the visible scalp area.

Similarly to other styles, I like to start by blocking out basic shapes. Then, I can continue by creating a braid-like pattern on superlative, keeping the menstruum that I created in mind every bit I depict.

Visual break down of how to draw braids that conform to the head

Step 4

Now, let'south explore this further with some boosted examples. Keep in heed that hair can also be partially braided!

Again, I started with basic contours that help establish what I want to draw, how the pilus will be placed, and how it sits on the caput.

Basic contours illustrating different braided styles

Step five

Then, using the same method of creating patterns, I followed my guidelines. Once more, I don't similar to focus too hard on geometric perfection in my personal, stylistic choices. Interpret this the mode that works best for your artistic goals.

five. How to Depict Twists

Step 1

Let'due south also take a look at cartoon ii stranded twists. You'll discover similarities in the bones shapes here—again, I similar to think near long, cylindrical shapes when I'yard cartoon. Yet, we'll work with a different pattern.

Instead of 3 braided strands, we're working with 2 twisted ones. The bluish line illustrates how I would start the strand, and the pink illustrates how I would "close" it up.

Visual break down of how to draw simple twists

Step 2

Keep in mind, however, that the way the hair sits on the caput tin vary! Let'southward endeavor the same techniques, only with the hair layered on the head in a different way.

Over again, I started by blocking out the forms (in greenish), and then added detail and pattern using the method described in blue and pink.

Visual break down of how to draw varied twists

Step 3

So, when drawing this type of twist, I would recommend keeping the context of the other styles we've reviewed in mind. You volition mostly see similarities in layering and volume, but a deviation in blueprint.

Let's try this with some boosted examples.

Again, offset with bones contours and shapes. Think well-nigh how y'all'd like the strands to sit on the head.

Basic contours illustrating different twist styles

Pace 4

Then, you tin can refine your initial concept, keeping pattern and variation in mind, in a similar manner to braids.

And There You Have It

We've explored multiple hairstyles that are often pop with Type 4 pilus. Again, this is by no means "the end"—there are so many different means hair tin can be styled! Hopefully, this tutorial provided you with some insight and inspiration to go depict and experiment with your own lovely looks.