In drawing the hair, no matter how elaborate its arrangement, it must be blocked in at first in simple flat masses of light and shade without any attempt at detail. Try, however, to give the general character of the hair in putting in the form of the shadows where they meet the light. In smooth, black hair, the effect will be large masses of black with sharp, clearly-defined high lights.
Light curly hair will have much lighter tone in the shadow and much less brilliant lights.
After the hair is thus laid in with charcoal and the stump, the crayon is taken up.
The half tints are studied and the deep accents of dark put in the shadows, always following the outline of the form of each shadow very carefully.
Avoid putting in a number of lines to represent hair, as this destroys the effect and means nothing. All details are expressed by carefully rendered light and shade.
In finishing, the high lights are taken out with bread rolled to a point, or if more convenient, the india-rubber stump is used.
Soften the hair where it touches the face, never leaving a hard, dark line. When a tone is too dark, it is not always necessary to use either bread or rubber, but first try rubbing with the stump, which may be found sufficient.
BACKGROUNDS.
A background gives relief and importance to the head, and should be managed with judgment.
In the first place, never make the background exactly the same value as the head. If the hair is light and the general effect of the face fair and delicate, the background should be darker than the head, though not too dark.