Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine

Art TRADER
m a g a z i n e
Step 5: The fine details
Now add in fur - density and markings. Look for the direction in which it runs and distinctive patterning.
Don’t forget the hair in the ears! Hair can be depicted in a series of strokes - long extended “V”s for long
furred creatures and neck ruffs/manes, short “l”s for short furred creatures or just a flat coour for the
very short furred animals, like horses. Also note that most mammals have whiskers. These are more
pronounced in the smaller prey animals, but even large ones like horses have bristles about their lips
and nostrils. DO NOT feel you have to draw EVERY single whisker. About 3-5 on each side should be
sufficient. Gel pens work well for whiskers - try silver or white (on dark-furred animals).
Color
If using coloring pencils, choose a range of colours. Most animals have a range of shading in their
fur - especially brown or grey ones. Note: these colors pertain to the Faber-Castell Polychromos, my
preferred pencils. You can find the chart of colors here: http://www.faber-castell.de/ (under “color
chart”).
Black
Black, purple or indigo,
dark (paynes) grey, medium
grey, light purple or blue for
highlights.
Grey
Light grey, medium grey, dark grey,
black. Use indigo for added emphasis
of shadows. A light blue-grey can be
useful but use it carefully and don’t
get into the bright blues.
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White
White, ivory, cream or pale
blue, light grey. Be careful
about overdoing the blues.