[1] Shading the hair

Next, we add shadows to the hair.

 

① As the wavy, layered hair is one of the key elements of this illustration, I added detailed lines with the [Pen] tool → [G-Pen] while keeping bundles of hair in mind.

 

② Using the [Airbrush] tool → [Soft], blur is added with the same color as the shadows.

Blurring is added sparingly to the parts that need softness, such as the curves.

 

③ The tips of the shadows are blurred with a transparent colored [Soft], and the hard shadows are blended.

With ② and ③, I’m careful not to overdo both, as that can make the entire image seem soft.

 

④ A new layer is made, and a pale gradient is added with [Soft] to add volume. Adding a color with high saturation leads to prettier results.

 

⑤ Darker shadows are added. The layer’s blending mode is set to [Linear burn]. More depth can be added by using a purple shade.

• Because of the [Linear burn] settings, the displayed colors will look darker than the drawn colors.

 

⑥ A new layer is made, and shadows are drawn with the same color. This layer’s blending mode is also set to [Linear burn].

Shadows are added to parts like the hair in the background, the edge of the shadows, and contrast is added to the bangs.

 

[2]Texturing the hair

At this point, the hair looks too smooth, so I will added textures to make it look more bundled.

 

① A new layer is made, and as before, its blending mode is set to [Linear burn].

As it will look out of place as is, the roughed-in hair texture is blended by painting over it with [Soft] and a light color.

 

② The colors of the bangs are blended. The tips of the bangs are blurred with the skin tone.

By doing this, the skin tones on the face look prettier.

 

[3]Finishing the hair

Finally, overlay a new layer, and with [Soft], paint a blue gradient on the tips of the hair.

 

By setting this layer’s blending mode to [Soft light], the tips will become slightly blue.

With this, the coloring of the hair is complete.