I’ve not found a technique I like for really curly hair. Wavy to mildly curly I feel good about. Do you have a technique you like you would suggest I consider?
For the record this is the best I’ve done and I’m happier with it than any other attempt. But it’s not a good as what’s in my mind or the reference.
The reference for reference: 
Timelapse: https://bsky.app/profile/ballshapedman.bsky.social/post/3mp2qtpukqs2c
Her hair
O fleece, that down the neck waves to the nape! O curls! O perfume nonchalant and rare! O ecstasy! To fill this alcove shape With memories that in these tresses sleep, I would shake them like penions in the air!
Languorous Asia, burning Africa, And a far world, defunct almost, absent, Within your aromatic forest stay! As other souls on music drift away, Mine, O my love! still floats upon your scent.
I shall go there where, full of sap, both tree And man swoon in the heat of the southern climates; Strong tresses be the swell that carries me! I dream upon your sea of amber Of dazzling sails, of oarsmen, masts, and flames:
A sun-drenched and reverberating port, Where I imbibe colour and sound and scent; Where vessels, gliding through the gold and moiré, Open their vast arms as they leave the shore To clasp the pure and shimmering firmament.
I’ll plunge my head, enamored of its pleasure, In this black ocean where the other hides; My subtle spirit then will know a measure Of fertile idleness and fragrant leisure, Lulled by the infinite rhythm of its tides!
Pavilion, of autumn-shadowed tresses spun, You give me back the azure from afar; And where the twisted locks are fringed with down Lurk mingled odors I grow drunk upon Of oil of coconut, of musk, and tar.
A long time! always! my hand in your hair Will sow the stars of sapphire, pearl, ruby, That you be never deaf to my desire, My oasis and my gourd whence I aspire To drink deep of the wine of memory.
- Charles Baudelaire
That’s beautiful! Wow… Thank you for sharing.
Have my rambling thoughts!
Buying a brush pack is helpful in this circumstance unless you’re wanting to figure out how to do it yourself.
If you’re intent to use the same brush for everything then I would practice tracing over coiled hair to get a sense of how to move your brush. It also helps to watch videos of people with this hair type to see how the hair density changes with the lighting- at some angles it can actually look quite sparse compared to what you might expect in your minds eye.
I like to pull the small springs out of broken pens/mechanical pencils and take a bunch of pictures of them stretched out/bent at various angles since it kinda helps my brain focus on the shape by itself rather than being overwhelmed by HAIR.
You also don’t have to detail every single hair coil either- it’s most noticeable around the edges of the hair, framing the face, and wherever the light is brightest. It’s kind of like texturing trees or grass in that way.
Tbh what you have now looks like a good “base” that just needs more detailing. Could use a smaller brush to do a few highlight strokes or wisps of hair sticking out here and there. Some thicker parts could be faded into the skin colour more around the face.
This is fantastic, thank you!
And I like to avoid special brushes I can’t do with a physical brush. I like the look better this was and I imagine one day I’ll transition to physical painting again and I want as many skills to be transferrable as possible.
Gum is her natural enemy.
😂😂😂
Without a doubt.
I don’t really even look at the hair since the face is so good. But since you asked, I think adding fine details would help if you want to spend the time. Use a fine, line brush to go over, under and around. Use them for the highlights and the shadows. Great job.
Thank you! Yeah that’s what I figure I’ll end up doing but I can’t get the lines right for this type of hair yet. Just looks like a kid making swirls on his homework paper 😂
I see why that might be an issue. If you use a light touch and don’t try to do each strand in it’s entirety, but pick the highlights or the shadows of that strand, I think you’ll love it. Look closely at her hair, it looks really coily, but it isn’t when you get close up. There are strands going the wrong way that you can’t tell where they came from or where they’re going. I suggest using the technique you use for her face, meaning you go from all directions with spots of color, but for her hair and a line brush.
Edit: I think I like this idea too because of the contrast between the light strokes of color creating the face and then detail of the hair. Just thinking out loud.
I like where your head is at. Thank you!
YW, thanks for sharing your awesome work.
You’re welcome! I’m just delighted people other than my wife and kids like it. Tickles me pink every time.
I still show my wife the comments regularly.
It really is amazing. The model kind of reminds me of Lisa Bonet, although I don’t recall having seen her hair styled in that way. Bravo!
Wow, thank you!
Awesome couple things too, you’re doing it right.
Thank you 😁😁
I can’t help you here, I really like what you did. Looks great.
Thank you!
