Do You Draw Hair on the Sketch Layer?

Introduction

When it comes to drawing hair, there are many different schools of thought. Some artists believe that hair should be drawn on the sketch layer, while others believe that it should be drawn on a separate layer. There is no right or wrong answer, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to each method.

Drawing Hair on the Sketch Layer

One of the main advantages of drawing hair on the sketch layer is that it can help you to create a more cohesive drawing. When the hair is drawn on the same layer as the rest of the sketch, it can help to blend the hair into the rest of the drawing and create a more realistic look. Additionally, drawing hair on the sketch layer can help you to avoid creating a lot of extra layers, which can slow down your workflow. However, there are also some disadvantages to drawing hair on the sketch layer. One of the biggest disadvantages is that it can be difficult to erase mistakes. If you make a mistake while drawing hair on the sketch layer, you may have to erase the entire sketch, which can be frustrating. Additionally, drawing hair on the sketch layer can make it difficult to add highlights and shadows, which can make the hair look flat and unrealistic.

Drawing Hair on a Separate Layer

Drawing hair on a separate layer can help you to avoid some of the disadvantages of drawing hair on the sketch layer. When the hair is drawn on a separate layer, it can be easier to erase mistakes and add highlights and shadows. Additionally, drawing hair on a separate layer can help you to experiment with different hairstyles and colors without having to redraw the entire sketch. However, there are also some disadvantages to drawing hair on a separate layer. One of the biggest disadvantages is that it can be difficult to blend the hair into the rest of the drawing. If the hair is drawn on a separate layer, it can be difficult to create a smooth transition between the hair and the rest of the drawing. Additionally, drawing hair on a separate layer can slow down your workflow, as you will need to create a new layer for each hairstyle or color that you want to use.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether to draw hair on the sketch layer or on a separate layer is a personal one. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods, so you will need to decide which method works best for you. If you are new to drawing hair, you may want to start by drawing hair on the sketch layer. This can help you to get a feel for how to draw hair and to avoid some of the common mistakes that beginners make. Once you have more experience, you can experiment with drawing hair on a separate layer if you want more control over the hair's appearance.