Tips for creating life-like fur with Slice and a Tombow eraser

Creating Soft Fur with Coloured Pencils: A Quick Tutorial

Hi everyone! I always get asked how I achieve that life-like, soft-looking fur in my pieces, so, I wanted to share a quick, focused tutorial with you.

I'm diving into texture, colour mixing, and getting those really smooth transitions where needed, while adding texture in other areas. For this project, I’m using Graphics .005 double matte drafting film with a piece of Durala underneath to keep the surface smooth.

Most of the time, I’m using Polychromos and Luminance pencils, along with some handy tools like the Slice tool and Tombow Mono Zero eraser. These will be your best friends when it comes to creating fur with coloured pencils. The focus here is on keeping the fur soft—especially around the ear where the fur is more delicate.

I start by laying down a base of Warm Grey 1 with light strokes, keeping it super soft. Once that’s done, I’ll add more depth with Warm Grey 4, but again, using very light pressure to keep everything smooth and avoid visible pencil lines. The key is to build up slowly and take your time.

After the base is ready, I bring in the Slice tool to add those fine, stray hairs. The secret here is to be really precise—don’t rush! I also use the Tombow eraser to soften areas and refine the highlights. It’s a bit daunting at first, but just start small and build up the layers. You’ll get that lovely, soft fur texture in no time!

When it comes to colour, white fur isn’t just white. I add subtle colours like Warm Grey or even touches of Burnt Ochre to create depth and shadow. For the darkest areas, I use Dark Sepia, applying it softly to keep the fur looking natural.

It’s all about patience, layering, and keeping your strokes light. I’m taking my time with this piece, but the end result will be so worth it!

To hear more about why I love Slice and the Tombow to create fur, make sure you watch the video at the top of this page.