What You Need to Know Before You Start
If you want to learn how to draw twin buns, the key is breaking the hairstyle into simple, readable forms.
Once you understand the structure, you can adapt the style for anime, fashion sketches, children’s illustrations, or realistic portrait art.
Twin buns are popular in character design because they instantly add personality, symmetry, and motion.
This guide shows how to sketch them cleanly, place them correctly on the head, and finish them with believable volume and texture.
Understand the Shape of Twin Buns
Twin buns are usually two rounded hair masses positioned on either side of the head.
They can sit high near the crown, mid-height near the temples, or lower behind the ears depending on the style.
- High twin buns: playful, youthful, and often used in anime or fashion art.
- Mid twin buns: balanced and versatile for casual character designs.
- Low twin buns: softer and more elegant, often paired with loose strands.
Before adding details, think of each bun as a three-dimensional object.
A bun is not a flat circle; it has width, depth, and a visible outline that changes with the angle of the head.
Sketch the Head and Hairline First
Start with a basic head shape, usually an oval or sphere depending on your style.
Add a center line and a horizontal guide for eye placement so the hairstyle stays symmetrical.
Then map the hairline.
This step helps you place the buns in a natural position rather than floating too high or sitting too close to the face.
For most drawings, the buns sit above the ears and slightly outward from the skull.
- Draw the head lightly.
- Mark the top of the skull.
- Place ear guides to establish bun height.
- Sketch the hairline before drawing the buns.
Block in the Twin Buns with Simple Shapes
Use circles, ovals, or soft rounded squares to build the buns.
The exact shape depends on the hairstyle.
Rounded buns look softer, while slightly angular buns can give a more stylized look.
Keep the forms similar but not perfectly identical.
Small differences in size, angle, or placement make the hairstyle feel more natural and less mechanical.
If the character’s head is turned, one bun may appear slightly smaller or partially hidden by perspective.
How do you keep the buns symmetrical?
Use the center line on the face as a reference, then measure each bun’s distance from that line.
Symmetry matters, but perfect mirror-image drawing can feel stiff, so aim for balanced rather than identical shapes.
Add the Hair That Connects the Buns
The hair leading into the buns is what makes the hairstyle believable.
Draw sections of hair pulled upward from the scalp into each bun, following the natural direction of tension.
This is where the style starts to look like actual tied hair instead of two separate shapes.
Include a few curved strands around the base of each bun to show where the hair is gathered.
If the character has bangs, fringe, or face-framing layers, draw those after the main bun structure so the layering stays organized.
- Show hair pulling upward from the scalp.
- Use curved lines to indicate tension.
- Leave room for bangs or loose strands.
- Vary strand thickness for a more natural result.
Refine the Outer Contour of Each Bun
Once the basic shapes are in place, redraw the bun outlines with more intention.
Real hair buns rarely form a perfect smooth circle.
Instead, they usually have gentle bumps, folds, and uneven edges caused by wrapped strands of hair.
If you want a stylized look, simplify the contour.
If you want a realistic look, add visible strand divisions and subtle irregularities.
The more detailed the hairstyle, the more important it becomes to show how hair bunches and overlaps.
What makes a bun look three-dimensional?
Three things help most: a clear light source, overlapping shapes, and curved contour lines that suggest roundness.
Even in a simple sketch, a small shadow under the bun or at the base can make it appear lifted from the scalp.
Draw Strands and Texture Wisely
Hair texture should support the design, not overwhelm it.
In twin buns, a few carefully placed strands usually work better than heavy linework everywhere.
Focus on the outer edges, the hair tie area, and any loose strands escaping the bun.
For anime-style art, use clean line variation and minimal texture.
For more realistic drawings, add layered strands, soft shadows, and slight directional flow.
If the hair is curly or coily, the buns may have more volume and less uniform wrapping than straight hair.
- Use strand lines sparingly.
- Thicken lines in shadowed areas.
- Suggest texture through contour rather than detail overload.
- Match texture to the character’s hair type.
Place Accessories and Hair Ties
Hair ties, ribbons, clips, or scrunchies can make twin buns more distinctive.
These elements also help explain how the hair is held in place.
A visible tie at the base of each bun adds clarity and can strengthen the design.
When drawing accessories, keep perspective in mind.
A ribbon tied on the far side of the head should look slightly smaller or less visible.
Accessories should support the hairstyle rather than distract from the overall silhouette.
Use Shading to Define Volume
Shading is what turns twin buns from outlines into solid forms.
Identify your light source first, then shade the side opposite the light more heavily.
The underside of each bun usually has the darkest value because it is partially hidden from view.
For soft shading, use gradual gradients and light hatching.
For graphic or anime-inspired art, use bolder shadow shapes under the bun and at the overlap where hair folds into itself.
- Shade the underside of each bun.
- Add darker tones where hair overlaps.
- Leave highlights on the upper curve.
- Use consistent lighting across both buns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many artists make twin buns look awkward by placing them too low, too close together, or too rigidly symmetrical.
Another common issue is drawing the buns as flat circles without any sense of depth.
Watch out for these problems while you practice:
- Buns too far apart: can make the hairstyle look detached from the head.
- Buns too flat: reduce the illusion of hair volume.
- Overly detailed strands: can clutter the drawing.
- Weak scalp connection: makes the style look like it is floating.
- Ignoring head angle: breaks perspective and symmetry.
How to Draw Twin Buns in Different Styles
The same basic method works across many art styles, but the finish changes depending on the intended look.
In anime, twin buns are often simplified with strong silhouettes.
In fashion illustration, they may be sleek and polished.
In children’s book art, they are usually soft, rounded, and friendly.
Try adjusting one or more of these features:
- Size: larger buns create a more dramatic silhouette.
- Placement: higher buns feel energetic, lower buns feel relaxed.
- Texture: smooth buns read as neat, textured buns feel fuller.
- Loose strands: add softness and movement.
Practice Exercises for Better Results
Repetition is the fastest way to improve.
Draw the same hairstyle from front view, three-quarter view, and side view so you can understand how the bun shape changes with perspective.
Try these quick exercises:
- Sketch five different bun sizes on the same head shape.
- Draw twin buns with and without bangs.
- Practice a high, mid, and low placement version.
- Shade one drawing using hard edges and another using soft edges.
When you compare the results, you will start to see how small decisions affect character mood and silhouette.
That awareness is what makes twin buns easier to draw consistently in future illustrations.
