How to Draw a Messy Bun

Welcome to this detailed tutorial on how to draw a messy bun, a hairstyle that perfectly captures a sense of casual elegance and effortless charm. The messy bun has become a favorite among many for its versatility and laid-back appeal, often seen in fashion magazines, social media, and everyday life. Capturing this hairstyle in your artwork can add personality and realism to your portraits, making your characters appear more relatable and dynamic. Whether you are illustrating a contemporary figure or adding a touch of modern style to your sketches, mastering how to draw a messy bun is a valuable skill for artists at any level.

Drawing a messy bun involves understanding the form and flow of hair, as well as how to depict texture and volume with pencil strokes or other mediums. This tutorial is designed to guide you through the process step-by-step, breaking down the complexities of tangled strands and loose tendrils into manageable parts. Whether you are a beginner eager to improve your hair-drawing techniques or an experienced artist looking to refine your style, this guide will help you achieve a natural, stylish look. Techniques such as layering, shading, and capturing movement are all aspects you will explore, enhancing your overall drawing skills.

So, gather your drawing tools and get ready to explore the art of portraying this effortlessly chic hairstyle. With patience and practice, you'll soon be able to confidently illustrate messy buns that bring your characters to life with a sense of spontaneity and beauty. Let's dive into how to draw a messy bun and unlock new creative possibilities in your artwork!

Materials Required

Before we dive into the steps, let's go over the materials you will need for this drawing:

1. Pencil: Select a soft lead pencil, such as a 2B or 4B, for sketching and shading.
2. Eraser: A kneaded eraser works best for removing unwanted lines and mistakes without damaging the paper.
3. Paper: Choose a smooth surface paper, like drawing or sketch paper, that suits your preferred medium.
4. Blending Stump: Optional but useful for blending and creating smooth transitions in your shading.
5. Reference Image: Find a clear image of a messy bun hairstyle to use as a reference during the drawing process.

Now that we have all the materials ready, let's move on to the step-by-step process of drawing a messy bun!

Step 1: Outline the Basic Shape

Start by lightly sketching an oval shape on your paper to represent the head. This will serve as the foundation for placing the messy bun. Keep the lines loose and light, as they will eventually be blended into the drawing.

Step 2: Add the Hairline and Bangs

Using light, delicate strokes, draw the hairline and any bangs that may be falling onto the forehead. Pay attention to the direction and flow of the hair, as it will add realism to your drawing.

Step 3: Establish the Bun's Placement

Next, determine where the messy bun will be positioned on the head. Observe your reference image to ensure accuracy. Sketch a circular shape for the bun, making it slightly larger than the head's width.

Step 4: Draw the Strands of Hair

To create a messy bun effect, draw loose strands of hair flowing out of the bun. These strands should be irregular and vary in thickness and length. Use light, curvy strokes to suggest movement and texture.

Step 5: Add Detail to the Bun

Now it's time to add some details to the bun itself. Start by lightly sketching the bun's outline and then gradually add shadows and highlights to give it dimension. Remember to keep the strokes loose and soft to achieve a messy appearance.

Step 6: Define the Face

With the messy bun established, focus on defining the face. Sketch the eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth using light strokes. Pay attention to the proportions and symmetry of the features to create a realistic representation.

Step 7: Shade the Hair

To add depth and volume to the hair, begin shading. Start by lightly shading the areas of the hair that are in shadow or under the bun. Gradually build up the layers of shading, emphasizing the lighter areas where the light hits the hair.

Step 8: Add Texture and Highlights

To create texture in the messy bun, lightly sketch small strokes or lines to suggest individual strands of hair. This technique will add dimension and movement to the overall drawing. Additionally, use an eraser to create highlights on the bun and strands of hair that catch the light.

Step 9: Refine the Details

Take a moment to observe your drawing as a whole. Make any necessary adjustments to the proportions, shadows, or highlights to enhance the overall appearance. Pay attention to small details such as flyaway hairs or wisps around the face to add realism and personality to your drawing.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to draw a messy bun. By following these step-by-step instructions and incorporating your own artistic style, you can create stunning representations of this trendy hairstyle. Remember to practice regularly and experiment with different techniques to further improve your drawing skills. Happy drawing!

Fun Facts About Messy Bun

• The messy bun is a popular hairstyle that dates back to ancient Greece, where women often wore their hair in loose buns for both practicality and style.
• Messy buns are favored for their versatility, suitable for casual outings, workouts, and even formal events.
• The hairstyle gained massive popularity on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, inspiring countless tutorials and variations.
• Messy buns are often recommended by hairstylists as a protective style that reduces hair damage by minimizing heat and chemical exposure.
• The loose strands and undone look of a messy bun can help frame the face and soften facial features, making it flattering for many face shapes. Elle
• Messy buns can be created quickly with minimal tools, often just a hair tie and bobby pins, making it a go-to style for busy mornings. Healthline
• Many celebrities, including Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston, have been spotted rocking the messy bun, boosting its trendiness worldwide.

Suggestions for Scenes and Settings for Messy Bun Drawings

• A young artist painting in her sunlit studio, her messy bun loosely tied with strands escaping as she focuses intently on her canvas.
• A carefree dancer practicing in a rehearsal room, with a messy bun accented by sweat-dampened wisps framing her determined face.
• A student studying late at a cozy library nook, her messy bun tousled from hours of concentration and note-taking.
• A casual weekend brunch setting, where a character laughs with friends, her messy bun held by a colorful scrunchie complementing her relaxed outfit.
• An outdoor scene featuring a windy day at the beach, with the messy bun slightly tousled by the breeze and sand particles caught in loose strands.
• A morning routine scene with a character in front of a bathroom mirror, imperfectly styling her messy bun while sipping coffee.
• A musician performing on stage, her messy bun paired with bold makeup and expressive gestures conveying passion and energy.
• A gardener tending to plants in a sun-dappled greenhouse, hair pulled up in a messy bun with dirt smudges and stray leaves caught in strands.
• A cozy reading corner in a home, where a character lounges with a book, her messy bun relaxed and slightly unraveled from hours of reading.
• A street-style fashion sketch capturing an urban character walking confidently, her messy bun accessorized with trendy sunglasses and statement earrings.