Attempts to draw hair (and also lighting). Any tips?

[Giraffe]

I've looked at several hair tutorials, but can never texture it myself, but I've also tried not to draw all the individual strands either.

 

[txomsy]

You do not need to draw all the individual strands, just enough to produce a hint so the brain knows what it is looking at and can complete the image by itself. Other than that, not that bad, seems to me like your are progressing properly.

 

[PaintBoss]

Yes, it’s better to suggest some volume/shape and some lighting with just a hint of what’s there individually. Like a strand in front of the face or that is near the face to suggest movement or curl, etc.. Not only is drawing every strand tedious, but it can be distracting. In art school they do not want you to treat it as every strand, but to do as I suggest. Also make it fade out around the outer edges. And get a little stronger towards the face. You actually want the most contrast and definition in the face, especially the T section of the eyes/nose/mouth. That’s where you want to focus. And that is how our eyes naturally focus. Not everything across our visual plane being crisp, equal detail.

 

[Giraffe]

Thanks everyone! I tried taking the advice into account, how about now?

 

[PaintBoss]

Oh yes, much much better. It has volume and form. It’s not just lines in space. And because you have done more on the hair you can show the sheen on the hair, which looks real and wonderful.Excellent job!

 

[txomsy]

Ditto, much better!

 

[snoball]

Much better. It's always best to sort of block in masses of darks and lights and then just suggest the individual hairs.

 

[Giraffe]