How to Draw Dreadlocks: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to add some style to your character designs? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 7+ looking to master drawing textured hair. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to get started on this fun, skill-building activity.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of a character with styled dreadlocks.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Head Base

Light pencil sketch of a circle representing the head shape for a character drawing.

Draw a light circle to serve as the skull. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil strokes very faint here; this is just a guide, and you'll want to erase it later once the hair is in place.

Step 2: Defining the Jawline

Adding a curved jawline extending from the bottom of the initial circle guide.

Extend a long, slightly curved line down from the circle, then curve it back up to create the chin. Teacher's Tip: Think of this as drawing a soft 'U' shape to give your character a natural, rounded jaw.

Step 3: Establishing the Hairline and Ear

Drawing a hairline guide across the forehead and a simple ear shape on the side of the head.

Draw a curved line across the lower part of the circle to mark where the hair begins, then add a small ear shape on the side. Teacher's Tip: Keep the ear simple—a small 'C' shape is all you need at this stage.

Step 4: Cleaning the Canvas

The face outline after erasing the unnecessary construction lines.

Carefully erase the internal guide lines from the circle. Teacher's Tip: Use a kneaded eraser if you have one; it’s gentler on the paper and won't leave messy crumbs behind.

Step 5: Sketching the First Dreads

Adding the first set of dreadlocks using wavy, parallel lines behind the ear.

Draw several parallel 'S' shaped lines behind the ear, connecting them at the bottom with small curves. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of these lines to make the hair look more natural and flowy.

Step 6: Adding the Hair Tie

Drawing a hair tie at the top of the head with additional dreadlocks extending from it.

Draw a small semicircle at the top of the head for a hair tie, then add more dreads flowing from it. Teacher's Tip: Imagine the hair is gathered at a single point; this helps keep your lines organized.

Step 7: Framing the Forehead

Adding shorter dreadlocks that fall across the forehead for a natural look.

Add a few shorter dreads falling over the forehead. Teacher's Tip: Use shorter, tighter curves here to show the hair is framing the face rather than hanging down the back.

Step 8: Final Cleanup

The completed outline of the character with all guide lines removed.

Erase any remaining construction lines to reveal your clean character outline. Teacher's Tip: Take a moment to check your lines—if any look too dark, soften them with your eraser.

Step 9: Adding Texture and Detail

Adding texture lines to the dreadlocks to give them a realistic, cylindrical appearance.

Draw wavy lines across the scalp and small horizontal curves on each dreadlock to show texture. Teacher's Tip: These small details make the hair look cylindrical and realistic rather than flat.

Step 10: Bring Your Drawing to Life with Color

The final colored drawing of a character with dreadlocks.

Color your character! Use different shades to add depth to the hair. Teacher's Tip: Try using a darker color for the shadows between the dreads to make them pop off the page.