The Conundrum of Complex Fur

Welcome to Part 1 (of 3) of this FREE mini-course on how to create complex fur patterns in watercolor! A full course on this subject is in development, to be released at the end of May, and I’m offering these small lessons to provide a taste of what will come. The course is being constructed based on your feedback and I would love it if you would leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your questions and input. 

There’s lots of great content in this post, including short tutorial videos at the end, and I encourage you to scroll down to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Items for Download:

Outline Drawing

Materials List Aussiedoodle Ear

Reference Photo

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Sometimes, when creating animals portraits, the subject contains intricate patterns or mixed colors that can be quite a challenge. Maybe you have encountered these issues (some of these are direct quotes from my students):

• I just don’t know where to start.
• The patterns get so “busy” that I get lost in details. How do I work my way through something that seems like the most impossible jigsaw puzzle, without getting lost?
• How do I mix the colors?
• How do you layer colors to create transparency without ending up with mud?
• How do you bring out contour, shadow, and bone structure?
• How do you create the fur markings without being too detailed?

I’d like to share with you the process I use to create complex fur patterns, via a series of short tutorials in the form of video lessons that you can watch and practice in small, manageable chunks. I hope they will be useful to you –  that you can use them as a guide as you develop your own skills.

Here’s What’s Coming

• A description of the formula I use to create complex fur patterns and colors (below)
• How to Prepare the Drawing (video found below)
• How to Prepare the Colors (video found below)
• Step 1 of the Formula – Create a Map of the Dark and Light Values (video found below)
• Step 2 of the Formula – Reinforce the Darkest Parts (video found below)
• Step 3 of the Formula – Mid Tones (coming in the next lesson)
• Step 4 of the Formula – Fur Markings (coming soon)
• Step 5 of the Formula – Glazing (coming soon)

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The Formula

It really helps to simplify complex patterns when you I break the subject into smaller areas. Within each section, I use this 5-step process that you repeat every time you go to a new area in the painting.

A short video tutorial will address each step (you can see the first two steps in this post). In addition, I’ll address many of the challenges that you may encounter, such as:

• How to keep from getting lost
• Layering color while maintaining transparency
• Creating contour and shadow
• Using the right amount of fur markings so the painting appears realistic but not too busy

Whether you are painting your own pet, a gift for a friend or loved one, or a portrait for a customer, this 5-step process could become one of your encyclopedia of techniques as you develop your own style of painting.

This is Tyler, an Aussiedoodle. I’ll use Tyler as a model as I demonstrate the formula, specifically, the lower part of his right ear. Let me know in the comments if you would like to see all of Tyler offered in a future course in the school!

 

 

 

 

 

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These are the steps that I follow and they really help to simplify complex patterns. It’s a 5-step process that you repeat every time you go to a new area in the painting.

The first two steps are about creating a map, to keep you from getting lost, and it all has to do with shapes.

Step 1:

Create a simple map of the dark and light values, finding shapes that you can use as a guide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2:

Reinforce the absolute darkest parts, once again, creating shapes that will help you to keep your place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3:

The third step involves the mid tones values – in between the darkest and lightest. This is in preparation for fur markings to come. Think of it as the under painting – the groundwork – getting all of the color, the contour, and the values underneath the fur in place before creating textures.

In addition, mid tones will be used to to create smooth transitions from dark to light, which is the beginning of  shape, contour and shadow.

By the end of this step, things will appear unbalanced and sloppy. But don’t give up. This is the time to persevere because things will come together soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4:

The groundwork – the under painting – is in place. In step 4, fur markings, or hair markings will be applied to each shape. This is where things begin to come together and make sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5:

Finally, in step 5, a glaze is applied to the entire area. A glaze is a layer of thin color placed over previous colors and have already dried.

The purpose of the glaze is three-fold, and it’s an optional step:

• Slightly smooth textures
• Go just a bit darker in value, if you wish it to go darker – you can also glaze with water
• Unify all the different values

I’m often amazed by the transformation following the glaze. What had appeared disjointed and unnatural becomes unified and makes sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it. That’s the formula,and I use it for each area of the subject.

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Practice Videos

These short videos include the following topics:

1. The Drawing Materials needed and a method for creating the drawing that allows you to plan ahead and keep from getting lost – think shapes!
2. Prepare the colors – a short lesson on creating the greys and blacks needed for these lessons
3. Step 1 of the formula – create a map of the dark and light values
4. Step 2 of the formula – reinforce the darkest parts

Items for Download:

Outline Drawing

Materials List Aussiedoodle Ear

Reference Photo

If you prefer to see text, enable Closed Captioning.

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Lesson 1: The Drawing

Create the Drawing – Think Shapes!

 

Prepare the Colors

 

The Formula, Part 1: Create a Map of the Dark and Light Values

 

The Formula, Part 2: Reinforce the Darkest Parts

 

 

Part 3 of the formula will come in the next post.

I encourage you to practice these lessons. Do it over and over, as many times as needed. Every time you do it you will learn from mistakes and reinforce your skills, building muscle memory.

And now, I’d love to hear what you think. Please tell me in the comments section. 

• Do you have a question about anything lessons so far?
• What do you like about the lesson?
• Are you confused about anything?
• These tutorials are based on your input, and I’ll use your comments to fine tune the next lesson – I can’t wait to read them!

And if you found the lesson useful, I would love it you would share it with your friends.

Thanks so much for visiting. Part 3 of the formula is coming in the next lesson!

 

 

 

 

 

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