Drawing

[m]

but I'm not sure how to the woman's hair, because her hair is black and I don't want it to end up looking like a big black blob lol.

What I would do is make thin, light and dark strokes. Be patient with this, it will take awhile. Build up the colors and take care to follow the hair. Does it curl or bunch up on her shoulder? Some of it might get stuck on the front of her shirt, and a lock will blow across her face. Don't color it all in solid, allow for flyaways and curls. That will give the hair dimensions and look you want, as well as some nice unexpected surprises. Do not use just black, try some dark blues blues and brown in there. Black hair is not just black. Better yet, I'll come back tomorrow with a color recipe for black hair. Also, leave blank or lightened areas -- and this will give your picture life -- for that crown of light. I talking that shine along the crown of the head and through the middle of the hairline.

To see what I mean, let's take a look at the picture in your sig.



See where it looks black or dark near the top of her head, then dark brown with lighter highlights across her ear. That last picture you had was a better example, the girl's hair had lots of lighted highlights. One more thing. With eyes, put a little white dot at the edge of the pupil. Watch how this little detail called a "catch light" will bring your drawing to kind of scary lifelikeness at the first try! It will give you that "wow!" factor anf it's a good feeling you will want more of. In some drawings the eyes will follow you, a great acheivement IMO.

[ThaIceLady]

^Good idea! I was thinking of using some browns but using dark deep blues never crossed my mind. The eye technique was good advice also I will tell you how it goes.

As for the womans hair, it is actually flowy like. Some of her hair is blown across her neck.

[m]

Black hair color recipe: Two eggs, cup of sugar, half cup of chocolate chips . . . uh, wait, wrong one. here we are: For shadowed areas of the hair, you need Burnt Umber and Thalo Blue.

Highlights can be Black and white with red or Ultramarine Blue, any blue of purple works well.

Darkest dark of black hair: Burnt Umber, crimson / red, Ivory Black.

The reason it's not just black is just black might look dirty or messy. The added browns, blues and reds give the black a richness and depth. Layer the colors and kind of build them up gradually.

Books: Color Recipes by Helen Van Wyk, books one and two

How To Paint Skin Tones by James Horton

Draw and color the face first before adding the hair. Draw and color the subject's clothing over the skin, then draw in the hair. You might try a blade to lift out the highlights or cut into some of the color. Go light with the pastels for the hair and build up gradually.

I couldn't find the website I found so here's another one.

carol.nuvox.net/dolphin/howto/9hair.htm

[cheyne fatale]

Yes, okay, finally.

I finaaaally have...a picture of my picture. Which I took with a camera, because I didn't feel like scanning it?

Yeah. Sure. Lalalala.
It's not really that yellow, y'see. The picture just turned out that way for some reason.

[m]

Looks like they won't let you link it.

[cheyne fatale]

Ugh. It was working yesterday.

[m]

/\ My guess is that you took the picture under flouroescent light, which comes out green or yellow in photos.

My only issue is the upper body proportions, but that's just my own thing. I do like the hair, eyes, and face. A unique look. She looks like a drawing for a super hero, or maybe she's just anime punk?

Your attention to detail is good too, like the creases over the eyes, under the eyebrows, the shading around the eyes, and I really like the way you did the hair! Sort of a wind-blown look. Good work, keep it up.

[cheyne fatale]

Yeah, that's probably the reason why it looks yellow. Next time, I won't take the picture in fluorescent light.

Or just scan it. That would be better.
Yeeeah.

It is an anime sort of look, but not in that cute young girl with huge eyes way. She's...actually, I'm not sure what she's supposed to be. Eh.

[m]

In anime and Manga, the reason they draw the eyes so huge is that in Japan, the eyes are thought to be windows to the soul. Unfortunatatly, everyone copies everyone else so anime and manga drawings look exactly the same.

You however, I thought about this drawing and what's really cool, is even with a minimum of detail, one still gets the idea this person has lots of hair. A good skill.