How to Draw Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks have no real shape. They are just a mass of twisted hair that goes at every angle. But if you take each dread lock as one shape, you can begin to define a whole head of realistic looking dreads. Each one is tubular in shape and begins at the scalp, then falls along the head. They aren't one single mass, but a mass of many thicker pieces of hair.
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Instructions
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How to Draw Dreadlocks
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1
Sketch the lines to define each individual dreadlock on your character's head. These lines can intersect, and weave across the head, flowing back wards at odd angles. The lines are simple arcs, with a very shallow curve.
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2
Cross hatch along the lines to shade in the dreadlocks. Keep in mind your light source. The dread locks will have the same shadow patterns as any other solid object, except in some cases, the light will go through the dreadlock, and the shading will not be completely even. So leave a few gaps in your cross hatching for texture.
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3
Define the darkest areas of your dreadlocks with a hard, solid line. This is done only in the areas with the most shade, underneath larger dreads. Just draw short lines, do not draw them all the way across the head.
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4
Add some shape to the dreadlocks by drawing another line on the top of each one. This is a sharper line, broken by patches of light. Scatter these lines throughout your dreadlocks, adding them only where you think they will strengthen the drawing.
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5
Add cross hatching and shading inside each dreadlock for texture. Dreads have patches of shadow along them, and the texture can be shown with shading and very small areas of dark pencil marks.
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Tips & Warnings
Dreadlocks look like fingers, with a crumply shape that is sometimes hard to depict. Think of them as real forms with a shape like a sock stuffed with hair, and draw each one individually for the best results. Dreads can be long, short, pointy and they can bush-out from the head, or be pulled back in a braid. Try drawing them in a few different styles. Study pictures of dreads to see what they look like.
