This tutorial will show you how to draw manga and anime hair in 3/4 view. This tutorial provides two sets of examples, one for static hairstyles and one for dynamic hairstyles (blowing in wind).
If you don’t have time to look at the tutorial, you might want to:
- Step by step Drawing Male Hair for Anime
It is not difficult to draw hair in a 3/4 view as it is from the side or front. The technique of splitting the hair into basic three sections can be used (explained more in the tutorial linked above). How to Draw an Anime Vampire Girl Step by Step
This tutorial will show you how to split your hair into three parts.
- Front Section
- Side Sections
- Top Section
You will be following along with a pencil and paper. Make sure you draw light lines. As you go from one step to the next, you’ll need to erase some parts.
After you have checked that everything is correct, you can darken the lines by tracing them.
You should also review the instructions for drawing the first hairstyle. They are slightly more detailed. To avoid repetition, the other examples have less detail.
This tutorial will show you how to draw facial features from this angle.
Drawing a Female Anime Face 3/4 View
How to draw natural short hair in 3/4: Step by Step
This is the first example of short, clumpy female hair. It is typical for anime/manga styles.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
It’s a good idea, as in the above example, to draw the basic outline of your hair before you start drawing it. Drawing the head can make it easier to measure the volume and help you avoid making mistakes.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
Draw the hairline after drawing the head (again, as shown in this example). This will allow you to determine the best place for the side and front sections of your hair. The hairline should not extend beyond the splits and clumps of the hair (areas where the skin is visible).
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
Start with the front of your hair. The middle clumps should be drawn more downwards, while the sides should be drawn more towards their respective sides.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
The side section should be merged with the one in the background. After you are done, erase the hairline.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
The final section should be added with the top of your hair slightly tracing the shape and transitioning to the bottom.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
After you’re done drawing your hair, you can remove any parts that are not covered by the hair so you can make a clean drawing. You can trace over the lines if you made very light lines, as suggested at the beginning of this tutorial. You can also use light shading, similar to the one above.
You can add more sophisticated shading and highlights to various hairstyles by looking at:
Step by step Shade your Anime Hair
Step-by-step guide on how to draw natural short hair blowing in the wind in 3/4
This example shows the hairstyle that was previously used. It is drawn in the wind.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Start the drawing again by making a rough outline of the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
Important: When drawing hair in the wind, the base of each section must not move (sorta like it’s taped in).
Draw the front section starting at the same spot as the previous example, but draw the shapes of the clumps that are moving in the direction the wind blows.
This will mean that the hair will be positioned in front and slightly to the right (side facing away to the viewer) relative to the head.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
Similar to the front section, draw the sides of your hair starting at the same spot as the static example but moving in the direction that the wind blows.
You can erase your hairline after you have drawn the sides.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
You can trace the shape of your head and draw the final section of hair around the top.
The lower section of the hair will be swung in the opposite direction, meaning that the area around the visible ear will curve towards the head. A small section of the lower/back hair can be added to the opposite side of your head (below the side lump).
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
End the drawing by erasing any hairs. To make the hair stand out more, you can use light shading like the one in the example.
How to draw ponytail hair in 3/4: Step by step
Although the ponytail is a very common hairstyle, the steps to draw it will differ from the ones shown in the examples above.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw the basic outline of your head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the example, add the hairline to your head drawing.
Step 3: Draw the back/top section of your hair
You can draw a ponytail with your hair’s back, unlike the examples above.
This part of your hair will be pulled close to your head because it won’t have much volume.
After you are done, remove the sections of hair that were covered.
Step 4: Draw the front section of your hair
The front section of hair should be arranged in large clumps. The ones in the middle should point more downwards. The ones at the sides should be pointing towards their respective sides.
Once you are done, remove the hairline and parts of your head that were covered.
Step 5: Draw the ponytail
The ponytail should be shaped somewhat like a question mark, with a few clumps at the ends. Draw accordingly.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
You can finish your hair drawing by adding just one to two more folds to the ponytail, as shown in the example. The hair can also be lightly shaded.
Step-by-step instructions on how to draw ponytail hair blowing in wind in 3/4
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Star the drawing again with the outline for the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the back/top section of your hair
The back/top section of your hair should be the same as the “static” version.
Once you have done this, remove the portion of the head that was covered.
Step 4: Draw the front section of your hair
The hair will again be blown slightly forward, with the view of the viewer to the side.
As in the first example, draw the clumps from the same places as the static hair. To make your hair look natural, lift all the clumps up and curve some downwards and some upwards.
Once you are done, remove the hairline and parts covering the head.
Step 5: Draw the ponytail
Make the ponytail in the same direction as the hair clumps in the form of a section. Then, make random splits at the end.
To make your hair look messy, you can draw some more clumps from behind it.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
Finish the drawing by adding a few more folds to the ponytail. Then, lightly shade the hair.
How to draw Pigtails hair in 3/4: Step by Step
In the way it is drawn, the pigtails hairstyle will look very similar to the ponytail.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw the basic outline of your head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the back/top section of your hair
As with the ponytail, start drawing the hair’s back. Draw two curves so that the hair is pulled in both directions (to each ponytail), and attach them to the top of your head.
Once you are done, remove the hair from the area that was covered.
Step 4: Draw the front section of your hair
The front section of your hair can be drawn exactly as in the ponytail example. However, you can make large clumps. The ones at the bottom point more towards the sides and those at the ends more towards the center.
After removing the hair, shave the areas that are still visible.
Step 5: Draw the Pigtails
Make the pigtails slightly longer towards the top, and shorter towards the bottom. This will allow you to create smaller hair clumps.
Once you are done, remove the pigtail from the front of your head.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
Finish the drawing by adding a line to the middle of your hair that is being pulled in opposite directions. This can be drawn as a zigzag. Then add folds to your pigtails.
You can add light shading to finish off the drawing.
How to draw Pigtails Hair Blowing In Wind in 3/4 View Step By Step
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw a sketch of the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the back/top section of your hair
As in the previous example, draw the top/back section of your hair in two curves that meet near the top.
Once you are done, remove the hair section that covers the top of your head.
Step 4: Draw the front section of your hair
You can again draw the front part of your hair in the same way as the ponytail example. This involves moving forward and to one side of your head. Make sure that the origins of the clumps start from the same place as the static example.
After removing the hairline and parts covering the head, you can re-do the job.
Step 5: Draw the Pigtails
Draw the pigtails in the direction of the wind. (Again, forward, and slightly to one side of the head.
Once you are done, remove the pigtail from the front of your head.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
To show that hair is being pulled in different directions (to each ponytail), finish by drawing a line at the top of the head. You can add basic shading and folds to each of the pigtails.
Step-by-step guide on how to trim the hair in 3/4
This is a picture of neatly trimmed hair. Combining it with the back section of the “long hair”, you can achieve the “home” look that is popular in many anime.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw a simple outline for the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
This hairstyle can be viewed as a single, solid section with some splits. You can also think of the hair as clumping together from the others, with the ends cut off.
The best way to draw the front of this haircut is by drawing the splits over the top of a lightly curled line. The splits can be erased.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
Draw the side sections in the same way as the one in the first hairstyle, but this time with the ends looking like they have been “chopped off”.
This step can be used to erase your hairline.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
Similar to the previous hairstyle, add this section slightly following the shape near the top of your head and transitioning into some clumps at the bottom (draw these with “chopped-off” ends).
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
To finish the drawing, remove the hair from the top of the head and add light shading.
Step-by-step guide on how to draw trimmed hair blowing in the wind in 3/4
You will need to make more splits when drawing your trimmed hair in the wind.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw a sketch of the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
The hair will again be blown slightly forward.
The front section of the hair should be drawn at an angle that has more splits to show it is blowing in wind. Some longer splits can be drawn with “wavy” lines.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
The sides should be drawn in the same direction as that of the front, with more splits towards the ends.
After you are done with this section of the drawing, you can remove the hairline.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
The upper section of this hair should be drawn the same way as the static one, but the lower portion should be swept closer to the head.
This hairstyle is shorter than the previous one, so the “back hair”, in this example, does not need to show too much.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
You can remove the hair from the areas of the head and add some light shading to finish the drawing.
How to draw long hair in 3/4 view step by step
This static view of “long hair” will not show the lower back because it is hidden behind the shoulders. This example is very similar to the previous hairstyle.
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw a simple outline for the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
The front section of your hair should be drawn the same way as the example in the first hairstyle. (Middle hair clumps pointed downside clumps pointing closer to the sides.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
The side sections should be drawn in small clumps towards the ends. Keep the one at the top of your head hidden.
After you are done, you can remove the hairline.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
The top of your hair should be drawn in a way that follows the shape of your head. It should then become wider towards the neck.
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
Finish the drawing by erasing the hair from the areas that are not covered. Next, add light shading.
How to draw long hair blowing in the wind in 3/4 view Step by step
Step 1 – Draw your Head
Draw a sketch of the head.
Step 2: Draw your hairline
As shown in the illustration, add the hairline.
Step 3: Draw the front section of your hair
Like in the previous example, the hair will be blown forward and slightly to one side.
Be sure to draw the base hair clumps at the same place as the static example, but make the clumps swing in the direction that the wind blows.
Step 4: Draw the side section of your hair
As with the front section, draw the sides of your hair in the same direction as the wind.
After you are done with this section, erase the hairline.
Step 5: Draw the back/top section of your hair
The upper section of your hair should be drawn following the shape of your head. The lower portion should be wavy in the direction that the wind blows. You can add some long, curving clumps to the end.
Another trick is to draw the hair so that the neck is visible. This will ensure that the two halves of your hair are connected properly by the neck and have a constant flow.
This is an example of the sword sheath.
Common Mistakes in Drawing Manga & Anime
Step 6 – Finish the hair drawing
First, remove the hair from the areas of the head. You can then add hair folds (just one here). You can add light shading to your hair that will make it stand out from the rest of your head.
Conclusion
It can be more difficult to draw hair from multiple angles than just the front or side view. Drawing hair can be made easier by thinking of it as a split. Instead of trying to determine what to do with one large clump of hair, you can estimate the location of each section in a specific view of your head.
You can also find more tutorials about drawing hair here:
- Step by step Drawing Wet Anime Head Hair
- How to Draw Highlights in Anime Hair
- How To Draw Manga Hair – Female