<p>It is important to understand the concept of layers. It also depends on the medium. Sometimes a "charcoal drawing" implements other media. Sometimes what appears to be black on white is actually white on black. There is also a process using a "scratch board" where the black surface is scratched away to reveal the white layer underneath. On a plain charcoal drawing though, one might use white chalk as a last step to create highlights. Erasing can be used to some extent, but I find it hard to get back to bright white that way. I had a professor who suggested using white-out or white paint.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-10T00:24:02.277Z
2017-04-10T00:24:02.277Z
takintoolong
<p>The flocculent beauty of the work you show is not that the artists drew a single hair (that would never achieve the effect) the beauty came from the artists layering one drawn hair "over" another and repeating it until the desired depth was achieved.</p>

<p>I can think of two artists on Youtube who demonstrate this layering process (with explanations for their reasoning)
Darrel Tank <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsEiMe3OiGo" rel="noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsEiMe3OiGo</a>
Stan Prokopenko <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHewz3JbKrQ" rel="noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHewz3JbKrQ</a></p>

<p>Here's a simple example of the layering process. This is based on a presentation by Darrel Tank. If you wan to see the complete process in action then check out his video series.</p>

<p>For this example I will use an HB mechanical pencil, a kneaded eraser and brush. Paper is 400 series strachmore (60lb). I only have white paper and black pencils. Don't focus on the materials. Focus on the process.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DGSx5.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DGSx5.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>With a couple of simple strokes the first strands of the hair are stated.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/4mSAP.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4mSAP.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>The pencil strokes are softened using a brush by gently brushing across the surface. The harder the pencil the more difficult it will be to soften the pencil marks.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Iwlg6.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Iwlg6.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a> </p>

<p>Next I take a kneaded eraser and form it into a sharp thin edge. Drawing the eraser cross the surface removes some of the pencil markings and leaves behind a negative space creating the illusion of overlapping strands of hair.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EUXmm.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EUXmm.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Next I go back and restate some of the lines with the pencil.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/h7CwG.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/h7CwG.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Again I use the brush to soften the marks.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uFWhO.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/uFWhO.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>The process is repeated until the desired layering effect is achieved.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/yfuYx.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/yfuYx.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Repeat the steps as many times as needed until the desired effect is achieved. Don't be as heavy handed as i was in laying down the layers. The harder you press the more difficult it will be to remove the pencil marks. A light touch is needed.</p>

<p>The above was just one example of how to create the layered effect you are looking to achieve. Masking and opaque paints can also be used but they too rely of the layering for the desired effect.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-10T08:43:51.253Z
This helps much. Thank You! As for the black background do I have to add it after laying out the hair, drawing 'around' the the strands I wish to be the lightest?
Vincent.W.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-10T11:28:06.337Z
You could start your drawing on black paper and draw using a white medium. You could start your drawing on grey paper and use both a black and white media. No matter the paper or medium the concept of layering will help you achieve your desired goal. Look at takintoolong's answer below, he points out different processes and materials but the concept of layering still plays a role. Look at some of the lectures by Vitruvian Fine Art Studios  https://vitruvianstudio.com/video/ and David Kassan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2sSm7EP3Wo to see how a drawing like this is made
John Vukelic
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-09T19:26:02.777Z
2017-04-09T19:32:43.553Z
2017-04-09T19:32:43.553Z
John Vukelic
<p>Every time I look at super realistic portrait drawings in charcoal or graphite, I wonder how to draw single hairs against a black background (on white paper, though) like in these pictures:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/YfRmp.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/YfRmp.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
<sup><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/1dr_tZhOh3/?taken-by=charcoal_n_stuff" rel="nofollow noreferrer">source</a></sup></p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qtju6.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qtju6.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
<sup>by Emanuele Dascanio</sup></p>
<p>Do I have to erase the fine line out of the black background with a fine eraser or do I have to leave out the line while darkening the background? What is the best way to achieve results similar to those above?</p>

<drawing><pencils><portrait-drawing><charcoal>
How can I draw single hairs on a black background with charcoal or graphite?
Vincent.W.
# How can I draw single hairs on a black background with charcoal or graphite?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-04-09)

Every time I look at super realistic portrait drawings in charcoal or graphite, I wonder how to draw single hairs against a black background (on white paper, though) like in these pictures:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/YfRmp.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/YfRmp.png)  
[source](https://www.instagram.com/p/1dr_tZhOh3/?taken-by=charcoal_n_stuff)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qtju6.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/qtju6.png)  
by Emanuele Dascanio

Do I have to erase the fine line out of the black background with a fine eraser or do I have to leave out the line while darkening the background? What is the best way to achieve results similar to those above?

**Tags:** drawing, pencils, portrait-drawing, charcoal


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-04-09. Score: 15 | Accepted answer

The flocculent beauty of the work you show is not that the artists drew a single hair (that would never achieve the effect) the beauty came from the artists layering one drawn hair "over" another and repeating it until the desired depth was achieved.

I can think of two artists on Youtube who demonstrate this layering process (with explanations for their reasoning)
Darrel Tank <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsEiMe3OiGo>
Stan Prokopenko <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHewz3JbKrQ>

Here's a simple example of the layering process. This is based on a presentation by Darrel Tank. If you wan to see the complete process in action then check out his video series.

For this example I will use an HB mechanical pencil, a kneaded eraser and brush. Paper is 400 series strachmore (60lb). I only have white paper and black pencils. Don't focus on the materials. Focus on the process.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DGSx5.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/DGSx5.jpg)

With a couple of simple strokes the first strands of the hair are stated.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/4mSAP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/4mSAP.jpg)

The pencil strokes are softened using a brush by gently brushing across the surface. The harder the pencil the more difficult it will be to soften the pencil marks.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Iwlg6.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Iwlg6.jpg)

Next I take a kneaded eraser and form it into a sharp thin edge. Drawing the eraser cross the surface removes some of the pencil markings and leaves behind a negative space creating the illusion of overlapping strands of hair.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/EUXmm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/EUXmm.jpg)

Next I go back and restate some of the lines with the pencil.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/h7CwG.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/h7CwG.jpg)

Again I use the brush to soften the marks.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/uFWhO.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/uFWhO.jpg)

The process is repeated until the desired layering effect is achieved.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/yfuYx.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/yfuYx.jpg)

Repeat the steps as many times as needed until the desired effect is achieved. Don't be as heavy handed as i was in laying down the layers. The harder you press the more difficult it will be to remove the pencil marks. A light touch is needed.

The above was just one example of how to create the layered effect you are looking to achieve. Masking and opaque paints can also be used but they too rely of the layering for the desired effect.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This helps much. Thank You! As for the black background do I have to add it after laying out the hair, drawing 'around' the the strands I wish to be the lightest?  
> **username_2**: You could start your drawing on black paper and draw using a white medium. You could start your drawing on grey paper and use both a black and white media. No matter the paper or medium the concept of layering will help you achieve your desired goal. Look at username_1's answer below, he points out different processes and materials but the concept of layering still plays a role. Look at some of the lectures by Vitruvian Fine Art Studios  https://vitruvianstudio.com/video/ and David Kassan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2sSm7EP3Wo to see how a drawing like this is made  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-04-10. Score: 2

It is important to understand the concept of layers. It also depends on the medium. Sometimes a "charcoal drawing" implements other media. Sometimes what appears to be black on white is actually white on black. There is also a process using a "scratch board" where the black surface is scratched away to reveal the white layer underneath. On a plain charcoal drawing though, one might use white chalk as a last step to create highlights. Erasing can be used to some extent, but I find it hard to get back to bright white that way. I had a professor who suggested using white-out or white paint.


---

