It’s been over a week since my Fox Cub Live Draw event, and WOW—seeing everyone’s
foxes come to life has been absolutely amazing!

Today, I want to share some game-changing tips to make fur look so realistic and fluffy,
you’ll want to reach out and pet your drawing!

Start with Soft Layers for Realistic Fur

One of the biggest secrets to drawing fur that looks soft and natural? Layers, layers, layers!
Start with light strokes to gently map out the base colours and textures. Don’t worry if it looks messy at first—that’s part of the magic!

My Top Tip: A cotton bud (or a blending stump) works wonders for smoothing out the first
layers before adding all those gorgeous, fine details.

Draw Fur in Clumps for a Natural Look

Fur is wild and free—it’s not just a bunch of little lines! Instead of painstakingly drawing every single hair, capture the flow by sketching in sections. Some parts will curve one way, others
in a totally different direction—that’s what makes it look so realistic!

My Top Tip: Use lighter pressure for the base, firmer strokes for shadows, and a kneaded
eraser to pull out highlights. Remember: No one is zooming in with a magnifying glass to
check every hair—it’s the overall look that matters!

Use Multiple Colours to Add Depth to Fur

Fur isn’t just one colour! Even a simple brown fox has hidden hints of red, violet, gold, and
even green in its fur. Adding these subtle tones creates rich, multi-dimensional shading
that makes your artwork pop!

My Top Tip: Fun experiment for to try! Add a touch of apricot or cream to your highlights—
watch how it instantly makes the fur feel warm and alive!

Pencil Techniques for Drawing Fur Texture

The way you move your pencil completely changes how the fur looks!

• Short, flicking strokes– soft, fluffy fur
• Long, smooth strokes– sleek and silky fur
• Swirling motions– dense, curly sections

My Top Tip: Experiment with different stroke patterns on a scrap piece of paper first—it’s a total game-changer!

Add Shadows & Highlights for 3D Fur Effect

Want your fur to pop off the page? Get those shadows deep and highlights bright!

My Top Tip: Darken shadows with deep browns and violets (go easy on black—it can look
harsh!). Use a kneaded eraser to pull out tiny bright strands for that extra WOW factor!

Take Your Time: Why Patience Pays Off

Yes, fur takes time. But rushing ruins the magic! The best results come from slowly
building up layers, adjusting shadows, and stepping back to see how it all comes together.

My Top Tip: if you’re feeling stuck, take a break! Walk away, come back, and suddenly—
it’ll all make sense! How long does it take to draw realistic fur you ask? It depends on the size and level of detail, but most pieces take me a few hours to a few days—slow and steady wins the race!

Final Blending Tips for Soft, Fluffy Fur

Once your fur is looking fabulous, gently blend certain areas for seamless softness. But be
careful—over-blending can make it look too smooth! Leave a bit of texture to keep that
natural fluffiness!

And there you have it! With these amazing tips, you’re well on your way to creating stunning,
ultra-realistic fur!

A quick reminder coloured pencil week returns 9-16 May 2025! This year’s theme is all about
bringing wildlife to life, making it the perfect opportunity to put your fur-drawing skills into
practice!

Click the banner below to find out more!