This tutorial demonstrates how to paint this regal chihuahua in watercolor. The full video, in real time, can be seen at my Online School. Thanks to Didgeman for the reference photo, and I hope you enjoy and learn from this post!
Feel free to ask questions in the comments!
Visit the online school
- Step by step videos of the entire painting in real time
- Self-paced: Watch as many times as you wish
- Downloadable drawing, materials list, reference photo
- You can do this!
Step 1: Eyes and Nose
Creating the eyes early in the painting makes the subject come alive!
Thin layers of color are used to build the blacks and browns of the eye.
For the nose, begin with a layer of pink, then build the greys and blacks, layer upon layer
Step 2: Under Painting
First, the groundwork will be created – the shapes and colors underneath the fur markings to come.
Begin with the under painting – the lightest values that can be seen underneath the fur and the textures.
In this chihuahua, a pale yellow is applied everywhere that will eventually contain brown or tan. In addition, pale grey is placed around the nose and mouth, and pale pink in the inner ears.
Step 3: Map the Shapes
When the under painting has dried, a pale map of the shapes of color are created, starting with what will be the darkest parts, although they aren’t dark yet.
Sometimes I lay in color wet on dry and soften edges. At other times, I create the beginnings of hair markings, providing a guide to follow in upcoming steps.
In addition, create the pinks and purples of the ears with combinations of pink and blue.
Step 4: Fur Markings
Apply a layer of pale fur markings to the brown areas, creating a map of the length and contour of the hairs.
Next, focus on the grays and blacks around the mouth, nose and ear, slowly going darker in value with thin layers of color.
Apply mid tone fur markings (in between darkest and lightest)to create a smooth transition, or a bridge from dark to light.
Step 5: Adjustments
Fur, textures, and values will be reinforced and adjusted. Final details are created in the ears.
Look for values that are too pale and need to go darker, areas that need to go darker, places that seem empty of texture and need hairs, areas that need to be smoothed with thin glazes of color or water.
Step 7: Final Details
Final adjustments are made to the nose, mouth, and eyes, and then to the overall chihuahua.
Look for:
- Darks that need to be reinforced
- Transitions that are too abrupt; mid tones needed to serve as a bridge from dark to light
- Larger areas that need to go a bit darker in value
- Shapes that are too pale
- Places that seem empty of texture
I hope this brief overview has been helpful to you!
If you would like to see more tutorials like this in real time video, I invite you to visit my online school, and be sure to check out the free course!
Questions? I invite you to comment below!
Learn More
- Visit the online school
- Full Chihuahua Tutorial
- Free Course: How to Paint a Dog’s Eye in Watercolor
- Tour of School
- See All Courses in School
- Answers to Questions About the School
- Join our Facebook Group, Realistic Animals in Watercolor – This is a free, closed group for all enrolled members of the school. All you have to do is enroll in the school.
