Realistic Hair

Step 1 - Getting Started

We'll be using a standard PS 7 brush, as well as the dodge, burn, and erase tools to create our realistic looking hair.

Before you start:
- Grab a base
Well you sure need something to put the hair on.
- Have a reference
Have a photo or hairstyle in mind that you'd like to create.

I've grabbed my "head" from McPhee.com (one of their many beautiful mannequins for sale) and I found this photo of a gorgeous angled bob cut that I'd like to try from GreatestLook.com.

Step 2 - The First Layer

To start off, we'll open up our base in Photoshop and adjust the canvas to accomodate any hair that we are going to add.

First and foremost, we must determine how many "hair" layers we are going to need.  With this particular photo, since the hair is parted with one side overlapping the other, two layers will be needed.

Using the Polygonal Lasso tool, roughly select the area that will be the underlying hair.  

Keep in mind that the hair does have volume; it does not conform completely to the outline of the scalp.  Go to the select menu, click on modify, then choose smooth.  Set the value to 3 pixels.

Fill this area with your foreground color.

As of right now, this should look like some sort of strange shape, rather than strands of human hair.

Select the smudge tool.  The brush that you should choose is under "Natural Brushes" and is labeled "Charcoal 14 pixels".

Set the mode to normal and the strength to 70%.  Leave the boxes "Use All Layers" and "Finger Painting" UNCHECKED.

Begin to make strokes upwards along the bottom edges of the hair.

Continue until the definite edge of the shape has disappeared.

Step 3 - The Second Layer

Create a new second layer.  Now we're going to go back to the polygonal selection tool and select what will be the overlapping layer of hair.  Once again, go to Select > Modify > Smooth and enter the value 3.  Fill the area with your foreground color and then smooth the bottom edges with the smudge tool to make it look more hair-like.

Step 4 - Beginning shadows

Remain on the upper hair layer and click on the burn tool.  I've set the radius to about 65 (a soft brush), the range to midtones, and the exposure to 50%.

Proceed to shade the area around the part of the hair.

Switch to the lower hair layer and do the same.  This should be made to be a bit darker than the shading just done on the upper hair layer.

Lightly shade the tips of the hair with the burn tool as well.

Step 5 - Preliminary Highlights

Select the dodge tool and select "Natural Brushes > Charcoal 14 pixel" as used in the smudging previously.  Set the range to midtones and the exposure to 50.

On both hair layers, make single strokes along the length of the hair in the direction in which the hair would grow.  You want to make multiple long strokes side-by-side until the entirity of the hair is covered.

Step 6 - Shadows

Select the burn tool and set the brush to "Natural Brushed> Charcoal 14 pixel".  Set the range to midtones and the exposure to 50.  Make similar strokes to the last step as you did with the highlights.

This will give the hair more depth.

Step 7 - Stunning Highlights!

Select the dodge tool, and reset your brushes.  Choose a soft brush with about a 30-50 pixel diameter.  Set the range to highlights and create a halo shaped area of highlight on both layers of the hair.  Play around with the exposure to adjust how "shiny" your hair is.

Step 8 - Finishing Up

Merge the two hair layers and blur or burn the part if you feel it is too distinct.

Go back to the base (head) layer and darken the areas of the forehead upon which a shadow would be cast from the hair.

You're done!

If you don't like the color you chose for your hair, simply go to Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation to change the color!

I felt that the hair color I chose was a bit too bright and unrealistic, so I went to Hue/Saturation and reduced the saturation a bit.