Drawing Fundamentals

Painting Fur

This is Flo’s Fundamentals! In this series I show how you can paint different fundamental subjects. Pieces of the puzzle you can use in your digital paintings. In this third class we’ll be diving into the subject of fur!

In the first part of the video, I’ll talk about the theory. What are the characteristics of fur and what do different types of fur have in common? How does fur flow and what colors should you use when painting it. I’ll also explain how less detail can be more and tell you on what areas you should focus.

In the second part of the video, I’ll be doing a demonstration and show you how I approach painting fur. I’ll be demonstrating four different types of fur. I’ve attached the study files, you can use these to both check my work up close and to make your own study. I would also recommend checking out my Pinterest Board with fur reference images. Try making studies from different reference images to improve your fur painting skills! And if you ever struggle or have questions, please feel free to reach out. I’m here to help!

Skills Learned:

  • Observation of Fur: Understanding the flow, color variety, and types of fur, emphasizing the importance of studying fur’s natural patterns and tones
  • Layering Approach: Building fur in layers, from the base to individual hair strands, using various brushes for texture and detail
  • Selective Detailing: Learning when to add intricate details and when to keep areas blurred for a realistic focus effect