How To Draw Anime Hair in Procreate

Drawing anime hair in Procreate offers an opportunity to explore this unique aspect of character design, blending traditional anime styles with the versatility of digital art. 

In anime, hair plays a significant role in defining a character’s look, often using exaggerated shapes and vibrant colors to convey their traits and emotions. 

In this tutorial, we’ll learn about techniques for creating dynamic anime hair, using Procreate’s array of tools to craft styles that range from the wildly dramatic to the subtly realistic. 

_{^{In this tutorial, I’ll teach you how to:}}

• Sketch the basic shape and silhouette of anime hair.
• Refine the outline to achieve sharp, spiky anime-style ends.
• Choose and apply an appropriate base color for the character’s hair.
• Create depth with strategically placed shadows and highlights.
• Add individual strands for realistic texture and movement.
• Make final adjustments for a polished and dynamic anime hair look.

_{^{What equipment do you need:}}

• An iPad, compatible with Procreate.
• The Procreate app, installed on your iPad.
• A stylus, preferably an Apple Pencil, for precise drawing.
• Optional: Custom Procreate hair brushes, tailored for hair detailing.

For more specialized tools, consider exploring how to make a hairbrush in Procreate or how to make a wavy hair brush in Procreate.

_{^{How To Draw Anime Hair in Procreate}}

Here is the full guide on drawing Anime hair in Procreate.

_{^{Step 1 – Basic Shapes and Outline}}

Start by sketching the basic silhouette of the hair. Remember, anime hair often defies gravity and natural hair behavior, so think about the character’s personality and how their hair can reflect that. Use bold, sweeping lines to capture the essence of anime styling.

For additional guidance on capturing different styles, see how to draw cartoon hair in Procreate.

^{_{Step 2 – Refining the Outline}}

Once your basic shape is in place, refine the edges. Anime hair is known for its sharp, spiky ends and smooth curves. Pay special attention to creating those distinct anime-style spikes and tufts.

To further enhance your technique, consider learning how to render hair in Procreate.

Once your basic shape is in place, refine the edges. Anime hair is known for its sharp, spiky ends and smooth curves. Pay special attention to creating those distinct anime-style spikes and tufts.

_{^{Step 3 – Base Color Application}}

Choose a base color that suits your character – from natural tones to more fantastical hues. Fill in the hair with a solid color, ensuring even coverage. This is your foundation, upon which you’ll build shadows and highlights. For tips on selecting colors, check out how to color hair in Procreate.

_{^{Step 4 – Shadows and Highlights}}

Add depth and dimension by applying shadows in areas like under bangs or the inner parts of the hair. Then, add highlights on the hair parts that would naturally catch the light. This contrast is key in anime hair to give it a vibrant, lively look.

For more detailed instructions on this step, see how to shadow hair in Procreate and how to draw shiny hair in Procreate.

^{_{Step 5 – Individual Strand Detailing}}

For added realism, use a finer brush to draw individual strands. This step enhances the texture and gives a sense of movement to the hair. Remember, the strands should flow in the direction of the hair’s overall shape.

To further refine your skills in texturing, explore how to draw fluffy hair in Procreate and how to blend hair in Procreate.

_{^{Step 6 – Final Adjustments}}

Review your drawing for any needed tweaks. You might want to adjust the intensity of the shadows and highlights or refine some of the strand details. This final step ensures your anime hair is both dynamic and harmoniously integrated with your character.

For inspiration on other hair styles, check out how to draw braids in Procreate.

^{_{Find More Procreate Hair Tutorials}}

And there you have it! Drawing anime hair in Procreate might take some practice, but with these steps, you’re well on your way to mastering it. Mastering hair drawing requires learning different techniques, so make sure to check out more of our Procreate hair tutorials.