Fairies and Their Realms

Drawing and painting fairy hairstyles offers a chance to give them a creative look. Whether your fairy is dressed for playful everyday activities or a formal occasion, consider the ideal style for her outfit and surroundings. Truly, there are no limits to fantastic designs when it comes to hair.

A playful hat for a child fairy can also add a whimsical touch to your fairy art.

Just for fun, these fairies might switch the styles they’re wearing because straight, wavy, and curly hair looks good beaded, entwined with vines, or adorned with flowers, twigs, and leaves.

2. Paint the Background

In one well of your palette, dilute Hooker’s Green. In another, dilute Ultramarine Light. Use a ½” flat brush for wide areas and a #2 round for the outside edges. Begin laying in a light wash of Ultramarine Light to the upper background and Hooker’s Green to the bottom third. When the shine of the wash is gone, using a #5 round, apply swooshes of Cobalt Blue to areas at the top and more concentrated Ultramarine Light to areas at the bottom. Tilt the painting down slightly to help the colors blend. Let dry thoroughly.

3. Paint the Inner Petal Contours

Avoiding the tops of the upright center petals that catch the light coming from the upper left, use a #2 round to apply a thin wash of Permanent Yellow Light to them. When the shine is gone, use a #1 round to add Yellow Ochre to the inner folds of the petals and to the space behind the petal on the left.

4. Define Upper Petal Shapes

With a #2 round, add a thin wash of Violet to the prominent upright petals where their shadows curve away from the light. When the shine is gone, apply Ultramarine Light to these areas and other petal folds. Add a bit of Rose Madder to the inner petal fold at right.