How to Draw Sideburns
Learning how to draw sideburns is a small skill that makes a big difference in portrait drawing.
Sideburns help define face shape, frame the jawline, and connect the hairline to the beard or cheek area with more realism.
This guide breaks down sideburn structure, placement, shape, and shading so you can draw them confidently in pencil, ink, or digital art.
What Sideburns Actually Do in a Portrait
Sideburns are the sections of hair that grow down the sides of the face from the temples toward the ears.
In art, they act as a transition between the hairstyle and the face, which means they affect both likeness and style.
- They help anchor the hairline visually.
- They add age, style, or personality to a character.
- They can suggest facial hair patterns, grooming habits, or cultural style.
- They can soften or sharpen the silhouette of the head.
Start with the Head Shape and Hairline
Before you draw sideburns, sketch the head as a simple form.
A clear head construction makes it easier to place the sideburns naturally along the sides of the face.
Mark the hairline first, then identify where the ear sits.
Sideburns usually begin near the temple area and taper downward toward or around the ear.
Their exact length and thickness depend on the hairstyle, gender presentation, and character design.
Useful placement landmarks
- Temple: common starting point for sideburns.
- Ear top: useful reference for length.
- Jawline: helps determine whether sideburns stay short or connect to beard hair.
- Cheek contour: useful for curved or stylized sideburns.
Choose the Sideburn Style First
Different sideburn shapes create different visual effects.
Decide on the style before adding detail so the lines stay intentional rather than accidental.
Common sideburn types
- Short sideburns: end above or near the ear and look neat or conservative.
- Medium sideburns: extend to the middle of the ear and are common in many hairstyles.
- Long sideburns: can reach below the ear and may connect with facial hair.
- Thick sideburns: create a heavier, fuller look.
- Thin sideburns: look groomed and subtle.
- Tapered sideburns: narrow gradually for a natural transition.
How to Draw Sideburns Step by Step
Use a light touch at first.
Sideburns are easiest to refine if you build them in layers instead of drawing a dark final line immediately.
1. Sketch the outer shape
Draw the general outline of the sideburn as a tapered strip or wedge.
Keep the shape slightly irregular because real hair rarely forms a perfect edge.
2. Indicate the hair direction
Hair does not grow as a flat block.
Add light directional strokes to show how the strands lie downward and slightly outward along the side of the face.
3. Define the thickness
Make the upper part a little wider if the sideburn connects to thicker hair at the temple.
Taper the lower end to avoid a stiff, cut-out appearance.
4. Refine the edge
Use small broken lines or short strand marks rather than a solid outline.
This helps the sideburn blend into the skin and nearby hair.
5. Add shading and texture
Darken the area closest to the head and add lighter texture toward the edge.
Keep the shape readable while still showing individual strands.
How to Make Sideburns Look Realistic
Realistic sideburns depend on value, edge control, and strand direction.
The biggest mistake beginners make is drawing them like a flat shape with no variation.
Focus on value first
Hair is usually darker than skin, but sideburns are not a single flat tone.
Use layers of graphite, ink hatching, or digital brush pressure to create depth.
Use broken edges
Hairlines are naturally uneven.
A few jagged or soft edges make the sideburn look organic instead of pasted onto the face.
Respect the light source
If light hits from one side, the sideburn should show highlights on the exposed edge and shadow on the inner side.
This gives volume and keeps the drawing consistent.
Blend near the skin
The base of the sideburn should transition gently into the face and temple area.
Avoid outlining every hair evenly, or the result can look artificial.
How to Draw Sideburns for Different Face Angles
Sideburns change shape depending on the viewing angle.
A front-facing portrait, profile view, and three-quarter view each require a slightly different approach.
Front view
In a front view, both sideburns should appear balanced in length and thickness unless the character design intentionally differs.
Keep the placement symmetrical relative to the ears and temple points.
Three-quarter view
In a three-quarter view, the farther sideburn will appear narrower and slightly less visible.
Follow the curve of the head so the sideburn wraps naturally around the skull shape.
Profile view
In profile, the sideburn may look like a slim vertical shape just in front of or above the ear.
This is where accurate alignment with the ear and temple matters most.
How to Draw Sideburns in Pencil, Ink, or Digital Art
Different tools change how you approach texture and edges, but the underlying structure stays the same.
Pencil
- Use a hard pencil for light construction lines.
- Build darker hair layers with softer graphite.
- Blend lightly, then re-add strand detail on top.
Ink
- Start with a clean outline only where needed.
- Use short strokes, hatching, or stippling for texture.
- Leave small gaps so the hair does not look like a solid black block.
Digital art
- Use separate layers for sketch, linework, and shading.
- Adjust brush opacity to vary strand density.
- Sample skin and hair tones to keep the sideburn integrated with the portrait.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Sideburns are simple in concept, but small errors can make them look unnatural.
Watch for these problems while drawing.
- Making them too symmetrical: natural hair rarely looks perfectly mirrored.
- Using one solid edge: this removes texture and realism.
- Ignoring the ear placement: sideburns should relate clearly to the ear and temple.
- Forgetting taper: a consistent width makes them look like bars instead of hair.
- Over-detailing every strand: too much linework can look messy and distract from the face.
Practice Exercises to Improve Fast
If you want to get better at how to draw sideburns, repeat a few focused exercises instead of redrawing full portraits every time.
- Draw the same head with short, medium, and long sideburns.
- Practice sideburns from front, three-quarter, and profile angles.
- Copy sideburn shapes from reference photos and compare thickness.
- Shade the same sideburn using three different light directions.
- Sketch sideburns on male and female faces to study style variation.
When to Use Reference Photos
Reference photos are especially helpful when you want sideburns to match a specific era, haircut, or person.
Look for references that show both the ear and the temple clearly, since those landmarks are essential for accurate placement.
If you are drawing a real person, check how the hair blends into the beard area, whether the sideburn is clean or textured, and how much contrast appears between hair and skin.
Final Details That Make the Difference
Small finishing choices can make sideburns feel believable and polished.
A slight taper, a natural edge, and consistent shading often matter more than drawing every strand.
- Keep the shape tied to the hairstyle.
- Let the sideburn follow the head’s contour.
- Use texture to suggest hair, not to overwhelm the portrait.
- Balance realism with clarity so the face remains the focus.