How to draw a braid

Have you ever wondered how to draw a braided hair? The braid goes perfectly well with summer-inspired fashion illustrations and flirty designs, but it seems so hard to draw. This step by step tutorial will show you how to draw a braid the easy way. Once you master the technique you will draw braids of any length and shape: single or double braids, updos with braids…the possibilities are endless! A well-drawn braid will make your model look more girly, sexy and playful, plus they are incredibly fun to draw. Are you ready to start?

How to draw braids step by step tutorial cover – braid, hair, hairstyle – how to draw a braid

Step 1: Draw the braid’s blueprint

Draw a Centerline for your braid with the needed length.
Draw the outer lines that will be the frame of your braid. Consider that braids are thicker in the beginning and get much thinner in the end.

How to draw braid step 1

Step 2: Draw the first strand

Begin with a small semicircle. Its start and end should touch the Centerline. Don’t make it too round or too eclipse.
The outer line is parallel with the inner one. Also the former starts a little higher than the latter.

How to draw braid step 2

Step 3: Here’s the secret

The inner line of the second strand starts at the same point where the previous inner line ends. It closes the first strand forming a nice curve. Stop when you reach the Centerline.
Imagine a horizontal line crossing the last drawn strand right in the middle. From there you will start the outer line of the new strand. Keep it parallel with the inner and finish in the Centerline again.

How to draw braid step 3

Step 4: Play on repeat

The next shape closes the top one with its inner line.
The outer line starts in the middle of the outline of the top shape.

If you push harder or draw a small dot where the inner part starts this will give more dimension to your braid.

How to draw braid step 4

Its corresponding outer line is still parallel, beginning half the size of the previous strand and ending in the Centerline.

Step 5: Drawing more

How to draw braid step 5

Close the previous strand, draw the parallel outer line.

Step 6: Keep on repeating it

How to draw braid step 6

Keep doing it until the braided frame ends. Remember to follow the lines of the frame you have set. Draw an elastic band to hold your braid. Make sure the last strand and the band to have the same width.

Step 7: After it ends

How to draw braid step 7

Draw a diamond overlapping the bottom of the braid. This will be for the rest of the hair.

Step 8: Add some realism

Shape the diamond making it smooth and adding some hairs.
Add fine lines in different sizes to every strand. The fine lines should follow the curve of the strand and be drawn both at the start and at the end of it. Draw some lines from the uppermost strands to help blend them with the rest of the hair.

How to draw braid step 8

Got it? I challenge you!

How to draw braid step 9. 1

Braids look even better when a little life and joy is added. Try to draw a Centerline that is not perfectly straight, but has some movement. Push your imagination!
If it is hard for you to follow the curves, just remember to rotate the paper to position the braid vertically like you are already confident drawing it. From then on just follow the frame of the braid.

How to draw braid step 10. 1

I hope this tutorial was helpful to you and if you still want to learn some more, go check the following tutorials: “How to draw afro hair” and “How to draw glamorous curls“.

Happy drawing!

Love, teya

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