Pose & style reference · Hair colours
White hair
Also called: silver hair, snow white hair, platinum hair, 白髪
In short
White hair, often drawn as silver in anime and manga, is the lightest possible hair colour. On young characters it signals something otherworldly, powerful, fragile or tragic; on older characters it shows age and wisdom.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
What white hair signals
Because young people rarely have white hair, giving it to a young character marks them as different: a spirit, a being of ice or snow, a character with unusual powers, or someone who has lived through hardship. Hair turning white from shock or trauma is a recurring story device.
Silver hair adds coolness and elegance and is a favourite for calm, enigmatic characters. White hair paired with red or pale eyes strengthens an eerie or fragile impression. On elders, white hair simply signals age and experience.
Types of white hair
| Type | Looks like | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Snow white | Pure white with blue shadows | Cold, pure, ethereal |
| Silver | White with grey shading and strong shine | Cool, elegant, metallic |
| Cream white | Warm white with ivory shadows | Soft, gentle |
| Platinum | White with a faint blonde tint | Glamorous |
| Pastel-tinted white | White with a hint of pink, blue or lilac | Dreamy, fantasy |
How to draw and colour white hair
White hair has no colour of its own, so it takes on everything around it. Shade it with the colour of the light and environment: blue or lavender shadows in daylight, warm peach in golden light, and reflected colour from clothes or surroundings.
Avoid neutral grey shadows, which make the hair look dirty or aged. Keep values close together so the hair stays bright, and define clumps with coloured line art, such as pale blue-grey or lilac, rather than black.
Against a light background, add a slightly darker outline or a darker background element behind the head so the silhouette does not vanish.
White hair in photos, wigs and dye
White hair overexposes easily. Meter for the hair, avoid hard direct sun, and let the hair pick up a soft coloured light if you want a fantasy mood.
Lightening natural hair to true white means lifting it until no yellow remains and then toning, which is hard on the hair. Wigs are the practical route for cosplay; compare snow-white and silver wigs in daylight, as many lean yellow or grey.
FAQ
What does white hair mean in anime?
On young characters it often signals something otherworldly, powerful or tragic; on older characters it shows age.
Is silver hair the same as white hair?
In anime they overlap. Silver is usually drawn with greyer shadows and a stronger metallic shine.
How do I shade white hair?
Use soft coloured shadows such as blue, lilac or warm peach instead of neutral grey, and keep the overall values light.