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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Its corresponding outer line is still parallel, beginning half the size of the previous strand and ending in the Centerline.
Step 5: Drawing more
Close the previous strand, draw the parallel outer line.
Step 6: Keep on repeating it
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
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.
Got it? I challenge you!
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.
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!
Valeria
Omg I can’t take my ? off of this it’s amazing
THANKS A LOT ??
katie
this was rely helpful for my self port rate
tajean,brooks
It was not i found il easy
Katherine
I love this tutorial so much! this helped me a lot for my drawing
Kaitlyn Gillard
It didn’t really help me and I don’t think it even looks real it looks fake and not real
Becka
This was really helpful! No other methods worked for me, but this one was so clear and concise that I was able to get it in no time! Thank you so much!
Anonymous
i think i did mine right i just don’t know?
Anonymous
I did my but I think I did my wrong
Anonymous
I can’t do mind
Jenna
Same with mine
Emily forshwa
Thanks so much this helped me a lot I had no trouble drawing this at all!
Jean V Pugh
I love your tutorials. The example of drawing an Afro was really helpful. Would like to see one showing how to draw cornrows.
amelie bygott
mine was good too thanks for the tutorial;)
taylor
mine worked out just fine
Hello
So hard needs to be simpler
Maya
Don’t be mean to this person! They spent a lot of time, and hard work on this, I have tried to make a website, its hard. It also takes time to draw, they worked hard on everything put into this, and I personally think that its great for helping. You may think otherwise, but don’t be mean about it, just say:
“This was not very helpful for me, but it was probably for other people. *add why it was hard for you* Thank you for spending your time on this to help me and others around me. If you have another method of doing this that may be easier, please tell me. I would be very grateful!”
But around somewhere in the middle, add why it was so hard for you. Please don’t show hate, there is already too much in the world. Thank you.
Cammy
This was not easy for me
Scarlett
Great tutorial. I never thought of drawing it this way. Although the zig zag method is quicker (and often easier), this method went into more detail about where the strand of hair cross over ect.
Laila Bateman
This is impossible I hate this web it makes me sooooo frustrated and angry!!!!!!!!:(
Please no more!!!!!
Omofolahan
It is helpful but my one doesn’t look like too
Emily
thanks helped me a lot none looks nothing like the picture dough
Emily
this tutorial was helpful but mine looks way worse than the example lol :3
Cerys
My braid turned out perfect thank you!!!!! X
Emilia Carsons
This is so easy and helpful! I love it!
Mariyah
That’s cool that who ever did it can do it but I can’t do it so that was a waste of time
Amberrose
Hey,
Can you do a fishtail braid tutorial??
——Amberrose
J. Richardson
This is a good tutorial, and it helped me a lot.
I use the zigzag method instead cause it’s easier.
Em
Yea lol
Em
It was pretty good… mine looks nothing like the example though… lol ^_^
susan
i know how to do it now to help u, you have to do the zigzag to help u make the braids
❤
This is a PLAIT not a BRAID still gd tho :sigh:
Anushka
Hi,
This tutorial certainly helped! Could you put up a tutorial on how to draw an updo or a messy bun ?
marnika
Its hard to draw this but I guess it takes time :zzz
nicky
I really really love this site! It’s so helpful :lol: :lol: :D 8) ;-)
lily
Its a nice. I love this site. It helps me alot with my fashions. :roll: :roll: :roll: :-) :lol:
bernadette
:oops: :cry: :sigh: :-| its so hard i cant draw it
bernadette
:oops: :sigh: i cant draw it its so hard
lily
[quote name=”john”]i do not draw it so i do not like it :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz[/quote]
Well then there is a easy solution, don’t view it. People have feelings, even though i care less of what anyone thinks of this post.
john
i do not draw it so i do not like it :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz :zzz
abby
Thanks for helping me :-) I thought braids be be super hard, but you made it easier and fun for me and everyone else
#paddy
Omg its amazing and serprisingly easy :o
lilacdesigner
[quote name=”lucyloose”]hi.. good. i can do better[/quote]
can you show me your amazing braid?
Katie
Thanks! This will help my drawing of Princess Leia (Star Wars)! I find it impossible to draw braids and this helped me ALOT! :lol:
Tori
This really helped me, since I’ve never been good at drawing hair :lol:
jillian
I typed in how to draw an easy braid but that was not easy that was the hardets thing ever
lucyloose
hi.. good. i can do better
Yara
that is so cool
because of you i now can draw really well and evryone in my class wants me to draw for them
you are the best
i love you
good luck :D keep on your good work
anonymous
This really helped me with my drawing skills! I love drawing and desinging outfits!
emily
hey yall i need a braid drawing asap because its a art project and your not much help anyone else a good drawer because apparently this girl or guy doesnt know anything and its not even that good of a drawing
emily
i didnt understand therefore i dont like it :D :lol: :-) 8) :lol: :D :lol: just kidding AMAZING :lol:
MB 4 LIFE
Omg thanks soooooooooo much I can’t draw but now I can draw this 8) :-) :lol: :roll: :P :lol:
Phylicia Kahn
i have NEVER been able to draw braids this is amazing and totally helped! 8)
Anynomynous
I’m not such a great artist, (I’m in 6th grade) but this was super easy, and turned out better than I expected. I didn’t try to draw the details, so it’s not as good as yours, but it really helped a ton on a school project I’m working on. Thank you sooooo much!!! :D
pahtoenfisn
Sucked. :-x Lmfao. Just kidding! It was amazing! :lol:
pretty good!
:D ur not a genius i’ll tell u tht but it is pretty good :)
Erica
This helped! :D :lol: :-) ;-) 8) :-| :-* :oops: :sad: :o :-? :-x :zzz :sigh:
Erica
This helped! :D :lol: :-) ;-) 8) :-| :-* :oops: :sad: :cry: :o :-? :-x :eek: :zzz :P :roll: :sigh:
Great!
Thanks! :D This will really help me
NellieAJ
omg this is soo informative and helpful… im not a great drawer, but i love to draw fashion, and this helped me soooo much… can u show how to draw fringes, and other hair styles to plzzz???
thnx :lol: ps :o … U R A GENIUS!!!
lovin
:zzz :sigh: This helped, but elaborate more.
Natalie
:o You… are a genius!!!!!!!!!!!!
takeyah
LOVE IT :-) ;-) :lol: :D
sukie parr
i love your figure templates and you helped me with my fashion designs :) Your step by step tutorials describe drawing templates in an understandable way. Can you please make a tutorial on drawing templates from behind please :)
hollyholly
Thank you soooooo much i love this website!!!! can you show me how to make headbands and show me how to make earings too? THANKS!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Jessssss
LOVE IT!