How To Draw Bangs for Beginners

So, you’ve been sketching characters, giving them life on paper with strokes of your pencil. You’ve mastered eyes, hands, and even tricky facial proportions. But then, you reach that forehead, and suddenly, your pencil freezes. What next? Hair, and more specifically, bangs!

It’s surprising how something as simple as a fringe of hair over a character’s forehead can totally switch up their vibe. Bangs are more than just a hair trend. Each style is like a secret language in the world of character design.

Today, we will break that code and teach you how to draw each type of the most popular bang styles, one simple step at a time. You’ll learn how to sprinkle an extra dash of personality into your characters, making them pop off the page!

Bang Types

There are several types of bangs that each evoke different responses and hold unique implications. Each stroke, each style is a story. And the best part is you’re the narrator!

• Blunt bangs: Think classic, sharp, and chic. Blunt bangs speak volumes about a character’s precision and decisiveness.
• Curtain bangs: Parted down the middle, they add sophistication and elegance. Characters with these bangs might be your poised, mature types.
• Long bangs: They scream intrigue, mystery, and a touch of aloofness. Characters with long bangs could have a story and a secret to hide.
• Wispy bangs: These light, delicate bangs can suggest a dreamy, thoughtful, or gentle character, reinforcing their sensitive nature.
• Pin-up bangs: Representing retro style and confidence, pin-up bangs illustrate bold, assertive characters.
• Birkin bangs: Named after style icon Jane Birkin, these bangs exude a free-spirited, bohemian vibe. They’re ideal for the rebels, the dreamers, the out-of-the-box thinkers.
• Anime bangs: These bangs can range from cute and bubbly to edgy and dramatic. They’re all about bringing out the character’s unique persona in bold, unmistakable strokes.

The symbolism of these bangs can be adapted, subverted, or reinforced through your drawing. This allows for many storytelling opportunities right from the stroke of your pencil.

Materials You Need for Drawing Bangs

Drawing bangs doesn’t necessarily require a wide range of specialist materials. You can create great sketches with some basic items. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Sketchbook or drawing paper: Choose a comfortable medium. A good quality sketchbook or drawing paper is essential to create detailed drawings.
2. Pencils: It’s good to have a variety of hardnesses on hand. A 2B or an HB pencil is excellent for general sketching, while a 4B or 6B is great for shadows and darker lines. A harder pencil, like a 2H, is suitable for light sketching and detailing.
3. Eraser: A good quality eraser is essential for correcting mistakes or lightening areas of your drawing. Consider a kneaded eraser for more precise erasing and a standard for larger areas.
4. Sharpener: A sharp pencil can make a difference in your drawings; therefore, you’ll need a pencil sharpener to keep your lines clean and precise.
5. Smudging tools: This could be a blending stump, tissue paper, or even your finger. Smudging tools blend or soften pencil lines to create a gradient or shadow effect.
6. Ruler or straight edge: While not necessary for drawing bangs, a ruler or straight edge (optional) can be helpful initially, especially for styles like blunt bangs.
7. Colored pencils or pens: If you’d like to add color to your drawings, colored pencils or pens will bring your drawings to life and add extra depth and dimension.

Remember, the quality of your materials can make a difference in your artwork, but the most important thing is that you’re comfortable with what you’re using. Practice and patience are far more valuable than the most expensive art supplies!

How To Draw Bangs – Step-by-Step Guide

Each style of bangs requires a slightly different approach, so let’s break it down step by step for the seven main styles we discussed:

1. Blunt Bangs

• Start by drawing a line across the forehead to indicate the bottom edge of the bangs.
• Ensure the line is straight and the same height on both sides of the head.
• Draw short, straight vertical lines that reach this horizontal line to create the look of blunt-cut hair.
• Make sure the length of the bangs covers the eyebrows. You can make them shorter if you prefer.
• Add some light lines inside the bangs to give the hair texture.

2. Curtain Bangs

• Draw a vertical line from the center of the forehead to indicate the parting.
• Draw two curved lines down from the parting. These lines should reach the eyebrows or just below, mimicking the curve of the forehead.
• Draw hair strands along these curved lines, meeting at the parting line in the center.
• Add some lines for hair texture, following the direction of the bangs.

3. Long Bangs

• Draw a line starting from the side of the head, angling it across the forehead.
• Sketch the hair strands over this line, making them long enough to reach or cover the eyebrows. The strands should be more concentrated at the sides and gradually thin out towards the middle.
• Use additional curved lines to add texture to hair.

4. Wispy Bangs

• Begin with a line across the forehead, but unlike blunt bangs, this line should be a little wavy to reflect the more uneven, light nature of wispy bangs.
• Draw individual hair strands along this line, ensuring they’re thin and vary in length. Some strands should fall above the eyebrows, and some should lightly brush them. The charm of wispy bangs is in their feather-light appearance, so leave some space between the strands to make them appear less heavy.
• Adding a few curvy lines within the bangs gives them texture and movement.

5. Pin-Up Bangs (Bettie bangs)

• Start with a slightly curved line across the forehead to form the bottom edge of the bangs.
• From the corners of this line, draw a half-circle or a rounded triangle shape that extends up to the hairline to form the basic shape of the pin-up bangs.
• Within this shape, draw curved lines to indicate the volume and direction of the hair. Start these lines from the edges of the half-circle and let them converge in the middle.
• Add some lines for hair texture, maintaining these bangs’ curved, voluminous appearance.

6. Birkin Bangs

• Like Blunt Bangs, start with a line across the forehead. However, make this line slightly wavy to give the bangs a more natural, tousled look.
• Draw the hair strands, but give them a curve instead of making them straight.
• The strands should be varied in length, with some covering the eyebrows and others slightly shorter.
• Add texture with some additional curved lines within the bangs.

7. Anime Bangs

These can vary greatly, but for a basic Anime style, follow these steps:

• Start with a line across the forehead.
• Draw sharp, pointed strands of hair varying in length and width over this line.
• Leave some space between the strands to show the character’s forehead.
• The ends of the strands can be exaggerated with sharper points for a more dramatic Anime look.
• Add bold, curved lines inside the bangs to mimic the anime hair texture.

For a more immersive learning experience, check out BIOWARS how-to-draw tutorials. They offer a great collection of video and image guides that will give you a clear picture of how to draw bangs.

Drawing Bangs: Wrapping Up

As you can see, drawing bangs is more than just doodling a few lines; it’s about creating a personality, a style, and a story. With the right tools and some patience, you can master these techniques and elevate your character. So grab your pencils, let your creativity flow, and explore the world of hairstyles on paper.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t give up if your first few attempts aren’t precisely what you had in mind. Keep practicing and experimenting; soon enough, you’ll draw bangs like a pro!