15 Female Curly Hair Drawing Ideas to Try
Fifteen female curly hair ideas, built around the job the hair is doing in a portrait — framing the face. Where the mass sits relative to the jaw changes the whole read of a character.
In this article · 22
- Where the Mass Sits
- The Shoulder Transition
- The 15 Ideas
- 1. Volume at the Cheekbone
- 2. Volume at the Shoulders
- 3. Curls Over One Shoulder
- 4. Face-Framing Front Pieces
- 5. All Hair Behind
- 6. Half-Up with Loose Length
- 7. High Volume Afro
- 8. Curly Bob
- 9. Long Curls Past the Shoulders
- 10. Curly Ponytail
- 11. Curls with a Deep Side Part
- 12. Windblown Framing
- 13. Curls with a Fringe
- 14. Backlit Framing
- 15. Same Face, Three Hair Masses
- Hair Changes the Face
- Mistakes to Avoid
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
In a portrait, curly hair is doing a compositional job as much as a descriptive one. It surrounds the face, and where its mass sits changes how the face itself reads.
That makes the first decision a placement one rather than a curl one: where is the widest part of the hair, relative to the jaw?
Where the Mass Sits
Above the jaw — volume at cheekbone or temple level. Draws the eye upward and lengthens the face.
Below the jaw — volume at the shoulders. Broadens the lower half and gives the portrait weight.
Level with the jaw — usually the weakest choice. The hair's widest point competes with the face's widest point, and both flatten.
This is a drawing decision rather than a hairstyling one — you are placing mass in a composition. Deciding it deliberately, before any curls, is what separates a portrait that works from one where the hair simply sits there.
The Shoulder Transition
The most commonly botched moment in portrait drawing, and it is specific.
Hair reaching the shoulders does not continue past them. It breaks, compresses and changes direction — some clumps sit on top of the shoulder, some fall in front, some go behind. There is a visible interruption.
Drawing hair that passes the shoulder as though the shoulder were not there is instantly recognisable as wrong even to viewers who cannot say why.
Break at least two clumps at the shoulder line. Send one forward, one behind. That alone fixes most of it.
The 15 Ideas
1. Volume at the Cheekbone
Widest point high. Lengthens the face.
2. Volume at the Shoulders
Widest point low. Grounds the portrait.
3. Curls Over One Shoulder
Asymmetric mass. The most dynamic framing here.
4. Face-Framing Front Pieces
Two clumps in front of the shoulders, rest behind.
5. All Hair Behind
Face fully exposed, mass entirely behind the shoulders.
6. Half-Up with Loose Length
Two textures — gathered above, loose below.
7. High Volume Afro
Rounded mass well above the jaw.
8. Curly Bob
Mass at jaw level, handled by keeping it asymmetric.
9. Long Curls Past the Shoulders
Length beyond the frame, with a clear shoulder break.
10. Curly Ponytail
Mass moved entirely to the back of the head.
11. Curls with a Deep Side Part
Asymmetric from the crown down.
12. Windblown Framing
Mass pulled to one side, silhouette stretched.
13. Curls with a Fringe
Hair framing above the eyes as well as around them.
14. Backlit Framing
Rim light around the whole silhouette, face in shadow.
15. Same Face, Three Hair Masses
One portrait, three placements. The clearest demonstration of the principle.
Hair Changes the Face
Worth testing once, because it is more dramatic than most people expect.
Draw the same face three times and change only the hair mass placement. High volume, jaw-level volume, shoulder-level volume.
The face will read as three different shapes — longer, wider, and heavier respectively — despite being identical in every drawing. The eye judges face shape partly by what surrounds it.
This is the lever to use when a portrait is not working and you cannot say why. Before redrawing features, move the hair mass.
Mistakes to Avoid
Volume level with the jaw. It competes with the face's widest point.
Hair passing through the shoulder. It must break and change direction.
Symmetrical mass on both sides. Real hair is rarely even, and asymmetry reads as alive.
Drawing curls before deciding placement. Placement is the compositional decision.
Equal detail everywhere. Concentrate it near the face, where the eye goes.
FAQ
How do you draw female curly hair? Decide where the mass sits relative to the jaw first.
Where should the widest part be? Above or below the jaw, not level with it.
How does hair meet shoulders? It breaks and changes direction — some in front, some behind.
Final Thoughts
Draw the same face three times with the hair mass in three positions. It takes twenty minutes and it will change how you approach every portrait afterwards — the hair is doing more work than the features are.
For shorter hair see 20 male curly hair drawing ideas, and for the method see 20 steps to draw curly hair like a pro. More in Hair Drawing & Art.
