There’s something so special about capturing a foal—their wobbly legs, soft fur, and that innocent expression. I thought I’d share how I brought this little one to life with coloured pencils, focusing on layers, values, and keeping things simple 🙂

Getting Started – Paper & Pencils

I worked on Rising Museum Board, but any smooth paper will do. Pencil-wise, I used a mix of Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast, and Luminance, but use whatever you have—just keep them sharp and go light on pressure to save your wrists!

Step 1: Mapping Out the Ears & Face

I started with Burnt Ochre for those fluffy ears, adding Mars Black for depth and a touch of Cinnamon for warmth. When it comes to colour, don’t stress too much—getting the lights and darks right is way more important.

For the face, I layered Terracotta, Cinnamon, and India Red, building up that gorgeous warm glow. Tiny circular strokes help keep fur looking soft and natural.

Step 2: Shaping the Body & Neck

Using Terracotta and India Red, I carefully built up the foal’s muscles and shadows. To stop things looking too orange, I balanced it with Raw Umber—an absolute lifesaver for making tones feel more natural!

Step 3: Legs & Hooves – Keeping It Loose

Foal legs can be tricky—they’re long, delicate, and full of subtle shadows. Instead of overcomplicating things, I focused on light and shadow, letting contrast define the form rather than tiny details.

Final Touches – Highlights, Whiskers & a Hint of Grass

I used a kneaded eraser to gently lift out highlights, adding soft whiskers with a black pencil. For the ground, I sketched in loose, natural-looking grass (tip: never just pop a tuft of grass under each hoof—it never looks right!).

What Matters Most?

This piece was only 4.5 inches, so detail wasn’t the goal—structure, contrast, and movement were. If you take one thing from this, it’s this: don’t stress about colour accuracy—just focus on values.

If you want more help with learning how to draw with coloured pencils, you can join my Ignite Membership Waitlist here!

Also a quick reminder about my Fox Draw! Make sure to put your name down and join me on Sunday 23rd March 2025❤️ Join me live to have access to Bonus Sessions and extra tips from me, so you can finish your piece! Click the banner below to sign up!