How To Draw French Braids From The Front

Drawing a braid may seem piece of cake and intimidating at the same fourth dimension—this object has a relatively simple repeating pattern, only the question is how to make it look realistic and iii-dimensional.

We'll create two drawings that illustrate unlike foreshortenings, using just a couple of graphite pencils. Let's attain a complex artistic task and have fun!

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What You lot Volition Need

You'll need the following in order to complete this tutorial:

an HB graphite pencil
a 3B graphite pencil
an eraser
drawing paper

1.How to Draw a Braid in a Forepart View

Step ane

I draw two long lines with the HB pencil. They are the rough borders of the braid.

Step 2

Let'due south apply the principles of creating a existent braid to the drawing. A braid consists of iii long, interlacing segments. I depict two of them (the first on the left-hand side, and the third on the right-manus side) in the upper part of the outline.

The remaining, central element forms automatically—it is located between the segments that you lot've simply fatigued.

Step three

I describe the extension of the second segment; now information technology overlaps the showtime segment.

Step 4

I draw the extension of the 3rd segment of the braid.

Y'all can use a dashed line to visualize the way the elements are following and overlapping one another.

Adding the extension of the first segment

I draw the extension of the kickoff segment of the braid.

Step 5

I repeat the action, continuing the complect downwardly.

At this stage, the pattern becomes predictable and like shooting fish in a barrel to echo.

In the epitome beneath, you can encounter a distinctive zigzag line going through the heart of the complect; I've marked information technology with dark-green just for your reference.

Stride 6

I complete approximately two-thirds of the braid'southward shape, filling it with the familiar pattern.

You can brand your braid perfectly even or slightly irregular; assuasive some imperfections may aid to achieve a more than natural wait.

Filling the shape of the braid with the pattern

Step 7

The braid becomes thinner in its lower part, so I make the remaining elements slightly narrower.

Step 8

The drawing looks like a flat pattern; it's time to transform it into a realistic pencil sketch.

I erase all the unnecessary graphite lines, and then mark the darkest places with authentic hatching, using the HB pencil.

Step ix

I use a layer of theHB hatching to each small element of the braid. The pencil lines should follow the contours, imitating hair.

Please note that each element has a highlight, so don't shade the centre parts too much.

Step 10

I increase the dissimilarity in the cartoon, concealment the shadows and accentuating the zigzag pattern of the complect. A 3B pencil is a perfect tool for that.

I intentionally leave the elevation and lesser parts of the cartoon most untouched, so our braid blends with the background, and the sketch looks harmonious.

Working on the contrast and intencity of shadows

Step 11

With the HB pencil, I soften the highlights, making them more grey than white.

To make the cartoon more apparent, I add some devious hairs with the HB pencil. You tin can too use a sharp betoken of your eraser to brand the calorie-free, wispy hairs.

Adding the stray hairs and completing the drawing

two. How to Draw a Braid in a Side View

Pace 1

This fourth dimension we'll create a more circuitous cartoon and acquire to depict a braid that bends to the side in its middle part.

I depict the rough borders of the braid, using the HB pencil. I've made the upper part of the braid much wider than its end, just to make it look natural.

I also add 2 marks that separate the braid into three segments: the front view part, the angle part, and the side view part.

Step 2

I draw the foundation of the complect, but equally we did in the previous role of the tutorial.

I add more and more elements, creating the distinctive zigzag pattern.

Completing the frontal part of the braid

Footstep iii

To draw the part where the braid bends to the side, I apply the basic principles of perspective. The elements of the complect that are farther from the viewer become smaller and narrower.

Just go on in mind that this part of the braid has some features of the upper function (the front view) and the lower function (the side view).

Drawing the part that is bending to the side

Step 4

I draw the remaining part of the braid.

Pay attention to the blueprint of the elements that are closer to the viewer—they seem big and substantial. Other elements look smaller, but it'southward of import to include them in the drawing.

Step 5

Let'southward apply some shading. With the HB pencil, I mark the darkest areas of the drawing.

Step 6

I use another layer of hatching, using the HB pencil. Now the shading becomes more than intense.

Feel costless to add stray hairs; they volition make your drawing more than organic.

Step 7

With the 3B pencil, I accentuate the shadows at the sides of the braid and in the places of interweaving. Exist sure to go out the central parts of the elements light!