Learn How to Draw Dreadlocks Step by Step

Understanding Dreadlock Basics and Hair Structure

Dreadlocks are a hairstyle where strands of hair are matted together into rope-like sections. The word "dreadlock" comes from the Rastafarian culture, though locked hairstyles have existed across many cultures for thousands of years, including among ancient Egyptians, Hindu sadhus, and Germanic tribes. Understanding how hair naturally locks is the foundation for learning to draw them accurately.

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Human hair has a natural texture that allows it to bond and mat together over time. Hair consists of three layers: the cuticle (outer protective layer), the cortex (middle layer containing proteins), and the medulla (inner core). When hair strands are twisted, rubbed, or encouraged to tangle, the cuticles catch on each other, creating the locked appearance. This is why different hair textures lock at different rates—coarser, curlier hair locks more readily than straight hair.

When drawing dreadlocks, you need to understand their cylindrical shape. Each lock is essentially a three-dimensional rope made of twisted or matted hair. Locks vary in thickness from thin pencil-like strands to thick chunks that can be as wide as a finger. Real dreadlocks also have texture—they're not smooth cylinders but show wrapping patterns, slight irregularities, and variations in thickness along their length.

The way locks hang depends on their weight, length, and the person's head shape. Shorter locks tend to stick up more, while longer locks may curve, bend, or drape based on gravity and hair density. Understanding these physical properties helps you render dreadlocks that look believable rather than like simple rope or yarn.

Practical takeaway: Study real photographs of people with dreadlocks from various angles and hair types. Notice how individual locks vary in thickness, how they cluster together, and how they respond to gravity and movement. Create a reference folder with at least 10 different images showing dreadlocks from front, side, and back views.

Gathering Reference Materials and Tools

Successful drawing begins with reference material. Before you start sketching dreadlocks, collect photographs showing diverse dreadlock styles. Look for images that show dreadlocks at different lengths—from shoulder-length to back-length to waist-length. Also seek out images showing different densities, from tightly packed locks covering the entire head to loosely spaced locks with visible scalp between them. The internet contains thousands of such images on social media, hair websites, and cultural documentation sites.

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When gathering references, pay attention to how dreadlocks appear in different lighting. Side lighting reveals the cylindrical form and shadows on each lock. Front lighting shows how locks overlap and cluster. Back lighting reveals the overall silhouette and how light passes through the hair. Having references with varied lighting conditions helps you understand how to show three-dimensional form through shading.

For drawing tools, you have options depending on your preferred medium. If drawing with graphite pencils, gather pencils ranging from 2H to 6B—lighter grades for initial sketching and darker grades for shadows and definition. A kneaded eraser allows you to lift highlights and create texture. For colored media, colored pencils, markers, or pastels each offer different texture possibilities. Digital artists should have a tablet with pressure sensitivity and brushes designed for hair texture.

Beyond drawing tools, gather papers of different textures. Smooth paper works well for detailed line work, while slightly textured paper naturally creates the rough appearance of locks. Many artists find that drawing on medium-weight paper (around 140 gsm) provides enough tooth for pencil without being too rough for fine details.

Practical takeaway: Create a digital reference board or physical mood board with at least 20 reference images. Organize them by length, density, and lighting direction. Keep this reference visible while drawing—many artists use a second monitor or print images and tape them to their workspace.

Sketching Basic Head Shape and Lock Placement

Before drawing individual locks, establish the underlying head structure. Start with a basic head shape using the standard oval method. Draw a circle for the cranium and a smaller oval below for the jaw, then connect them. Lightly divide the face into quarters using a vertical center line and a horizontal line at eye level. This ensures your dreadlocks sit correctly on a properly proportioned head.

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Next, sketch the general direction and flow of the dreadlocks. Rather than jumping into individual locks, map out where locks will be positioned using curved lines that follow the contours of the head. Notice that locks don't point straight down—they follow the shape of the skull and are affected by how they're twisted and secured. Locks at the crown tend to angle differently than locks at the nape of the neck.

Consider the parting pattern. Some dreadlock styles have defined sections where locks begin, while others appear more random. If drawing a specific style, reference how the hair is divided. Some styles have locks radiating from a center point, while others have rows of locks created by sectioning the hair into squares or rectangles on the scalp.

Use light, loose lines at this stage. You're establishing a roadmap, not creating the final artwork. Many artists sketch the general shape of the entire hairstyle as one mass first, then subdivide that mass into individual locks. This approach helps maintain proper proportions and ensures locks integrate naturally into the overall hairstyle rather than appearing as disconnected elements.

Pay attention to negative space—the areas between locks. Dreadlocks rarely grow from the scalp so densely that no scalp or background shows through. Planning these negative spaces during initial sketching prevents the final drawing from looking too busy or unrealistic.

Practical takeaway: Create 5 basic head sketches with dreadlock flow lines indicated. Practice varying the angles and densities. Don't add details yet—focus only on the underlying structure and directional flow of the locks.

Drawing Individual Locks with Form and Dimension

Once you've established the basic structure, begin rendering individual locks. Each lock is a three-dimensional form, so you need to show its rounded, cylindrical shape. Start by drawing the visible outline of each lock with a confident line. Notice that the edges of locks aren't perfectly straight—real locks have slight irregularities and texture that make them more organic.

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To create the illusion of a rounded, three-dimensional lock, use shading. The side of each lock facing the light source should be lighter, while the side facing away should be darker. This core shadow runs along one side of the cylinder, creating the convincing impression of depth. Add a thin highlight line on the edge of the lock where light catches it most directly. This subtle line transforms a flat shape into a convincing three-dimensional form.

Vary the thickness of individual locks throughout your drawing. Real dreadlocks aren't uniform in diameter—they might be thicker at the scalp and taper toward the end, or they might have thick and thin sections along their length. This variation makes your drawing look more authentic. You can show thickness variation either through the width of your outlines or through shading and shadow placement.

Show the twisted or matted texture of the locks themselves. Rather than drawing smooth cylinders, add subtle lines that spiral around each lock, suggesting the wrapping of hair. These lines don't need to be perfectly regular—slight variations and inconsistencies make them look more natural. You might also add small texture marks or stippling to indicate the rough surface of matted hair.

Consider how locks interact with each other. Where locks cross or overlap, the one in front should be drawn with darker outlines and more detail, while the one behind can be simpler or partially obscured. This layering technique creates depth and shows which locks are closer to the viewer.

Practical takeaway: Draw 3 individual dreadlock sections in isolation, focusing only on creating convincing three-dimensional form through shading and subtle texture. Aim for locks that are clearly cylindrical and show natural variation in thickness and texture.

Creating Realistic Texture and Surface Detail

The surface texture of dreadlocks is crucial for a convincing drawing. Real locks show the individual hair strands twisted together, creating a slightly bumpy, rope-like surface. To suggest this texture without drawing every individual strand, use strategic marks and shading patterns. Fine lines that follow the direction of the lock create the illusion of twisted hair.

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One effective technique is cross-hatching—