DO'S & DON'TS | How to Paint Realistic Fur

In this video I take a step by step approach to teaching the common mistakes artists make when painting fur. I then go on to explain some of the ways in which you can easily correct these mistakes to create realistic looking paintings.
MATERIALS
Acrylic on Paper
Black, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, White
Small 0 detail brush
Small 2 filbert brush
Medium 4 filbert brush
Small 2 round brush
Small 4 flat brush
00:00 Realistic fur
00:38 Tip 1
01:20 Tip 2
02:20 Tip 3
03:13 Tip 4
03:59 Tip 5
05:26 Tip 6
06:18 Tip 7
07:11 Tip 8
08:49 Colours
10:10 Glazing
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[@StudioWildlife]

I have full length process videos on my Patreon going through these techniques in more detail and their application to more complete wildlife paintings. Check it out www.patreon.com/StudioWildlife

[@carmieytan7750]

1¹pl

[@daphniesmith4479]

The techniques make so much sense watching you do it. But when I go to practice, my mind blanks and I am so lost! I still really appreciate these videos, as they've been exactly what I've been looking for to improve. Hopefully one day it clicks for me!

[@miggs165]

It’s all about adding layers these exact technique’s I use with colored pencil and at first when you add the first few layers it looks like my 4yr olds art but you have to be real patient and just keep adding those layers then you step back and can’t believe what you’ve created.

[@squeakyloafgaming3180]

Honestly I'm the same way. It's about studying the video while you are working. Sometimes I slow it down and have it right next to my painting

[@PleasantLeech]

It's all about having the discipline to put the time in. It's important to find fun in it and not everyone can work at the same pace but sometimes you just have to force yourself to practice even when it feels like it's not working or you don't have the motivation. Just always be careful not to burn yourself out.

[@srinivastatachar4951]

The best way to remedy this is to start by drawing fur first. Master drawing fur with all its shades and textures, paying attention to direction, length, clumps, contours, directions, etc. using pencils, charcoal, colored pencils or ballpoint pens. Then, when you've done a sufficient number of such drawings (you'll know when you've attained the level of realism you're after!), keeping in mind all these aspects of fur will then be second nature and you won't have to think about it much when you start to paint fur, leaving your mind to focus on the overall lighting, composition, color, etc. of the whole piece. And, as always, good reference photographs will be of tremendous help here! Hope that helps! ====================================================================================================================================================

[@beccamaroney3782]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who suffers from such.

[@neil2242]

...when the 10 minute KZbin video contains more tips and is better presented than the 2 one hour classes I had to slog through. Thank you! I've been trying to improve my animal paintings and this just hit on the steps that I was missing.

[@Turtlenaide]

Dude is giving 1 hour of college class in 10 mins a little too quick to really get into detail but you can at least watch this at home and take your time

[@Illuminati_HD]

This literally had more info that I EVER got during art class considering that since even starting school i havent learned anything i didnt already know

[@UATU.]

You inspired me to finish a cat portrait I started about 12 years ago.

[@jenprakash8748]

Same lol

[@limey461]

Mood 😭😭

[@tomasblazek6687]

Your way to explain it step by step, instead doing the usual "do or dont" is incredible, thank you so much

[@brittani6720]

I love how the “donts” aren’t necessarily wrong, but show the results directly of why. Those approaches can work for different texture of fur effects!

[@lonkwuzhere4433]

I love the way you explain this! Even as a digital artist I was able to see how I could apply this to my artform. Thank you so much for the awesome vid!

[@wierdo225]

I haven't even watched the video but the "don't" look from the thumb nail still looks like real fur that's wet! Amazing.

[@Erika70079]

Yes!! Thank you! This video is exactly what I need before I start my water buffalo painting. I love all the do's and don'ts and showing us the examples. Such a helpful video.

[@rhampton47]

I am sooo glad I saw this before I started the fur/hair on my lion. You are such a great teacher. I had the same teacher for over 50 yrs and now I am learning so much from you!

[@minipainter2]

This is the best fur tutorial I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been learning and painting for decades. Thanks.

[@StudioWildlife]

Wow, thank you! Glad you’ve found my video helpful 😁

[@bobnolin9155]

This was super helpful. I'm a transparent watercolorist trying to learn gouache. It's like working backwards! Dark to light...weird. 😊

[@ajdatolio934]

same, im trying to learn gouache too

[@and09cacholajavierlorenzot39]

@@ajdatolio934 good luck!

[@hoshi-db3xz]

even though this is a tutorial for traditional painting, this has helped so much as a digital painter, thank you so much

[@show_me_your_kitties]

I'm so glad I found your channel this morning. The effort you put into this video is very appreciated. You really taught me a lot. I painted a highland cow recently and now I'm going to revisit it because I've learned so much from you today.

[@goldenbo6909]

This was fantastic! I wish I had found it a month ago before I painted a tiger that looks like he stuck his paw in a light socket! I am beginning a basset hound painting and know I will be accessing my notes on your video over and over. Like the comment below, I hope it sticks!!

[@walterreansalley3410]

I've learned so much from this video. Thank you. ❤🎨

[@meiravanderspa4109]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have been wanting to learn how to paint fur and never quite managed to get it looking realistic. I am now practicing my skills using your techniques and have been able to make huge improvements in my work!

[@warwickboyce8673]

Thank you so much,you have finally made painting Fur not a nightmare ,you make it so sensible

[@reemafadhel5409]

This is absolutely amazing! One of the best tutorials I’ve seen so far ❤

[@esteryn4930]

Perfect teaching skills, great video, amazing all the tips and examples you managed to fit in just 10 min, thank you ever so much.

[@bygodsgracejourneytohealin8368]

Thank you so much for your expertise and your time in sharing your knowledge. Many blessings to you.

[@anneashley5110]

Brilliant thank you so much. Best tutorial on fur ever. Can see where we are going.

[@scripturebased365]

Thank you for this video! I have always wanted to paint a lion, and had no idea how to start, now I can do it! Your channel is amazing and you explain things very clearly!

[@zakosist]

Great tutorial. I've been painting for some years and manage to make somewhat realistic animal paintings, but I still learned a lot from this video. I dont think I gonna remember everything afterwards, but I may watch it again

[@kittyc3525]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise freely!

[@g.gulenc8591]

Very generous of you to share your awesome talent !! Thank you !!

[@imphie]

Wow!! This guide made me feel like i did when i was a kid and i learned you needed to create a new paragraph when someone new spoke in writing!! My eyes are opened and my brushes are ready

[@H4me7215]

Wow, this is a great simplistic video. I have seen a lot of videos but this is the best one when it comes to making fur..the other videos do not show up close on how too...but yours is excellent!!!! Just a well informative video..❤❤thank you for sharing ❤ ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@StudioWildlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meggles881]

My skills with watercoloring fur have been so hit and miss. Your video, while about acrylics, still is the exact key I needed to figure out where I was going wrong. I think that showing the technique while explaining with the small tutorials is a perfect way of presenting how to learn these skills. 10/10

[@KirstyMacneill]

This tutorial is just amazingly helpful, so simple to see how you build it up. Thank you for mentioning the type of brush and colours you use too, it really makes a difference if you're getting into this as a novice.

[@JulialovesAustin1]

This is the BEST video I’ve ever found on fur painting. Thank you!!

[@jodysmith7399]

Great tutorial. You make it seem so easy, but it is very hard (at least for me). I love all your tutorials. Thank you! I have learned so much from you.

[@angelascanvasdelight1444]

You already know, I've got front row seat ❣️

[@theuggorim5737]

Fine observations. Thanks for sharing your perceptions.

[@bettybho2168]

What a great tutorial, super helpful advice and straight to the point - thanks for the useful tips!

[@tbray]

Fur and rocks - my two big stumbling blocks. This helps immensely with one of them - thank you!

[@sablezubshruz9811]

Very good technique! Thank You! Details-details...

[@rosemarysek1796]

Absolutely fabulous and a very big help for me as I have just started painting a dog. Lots to remember but I have made notes and have already watched your video twice. Thank you very much indeed. I think your videos are great.

[@socalsal627]

I am such a beginner that I didn't realize you were even working with a paint brush! I thought it was a pen because nobody's ever told me how to hold a detail paint brush LIKE one would hold a pen, but that makes it so much easier!! Yay. I know it wasn't even one of the tips on your video, but thank you! 😂🤭

[@rkoko6612]

I binged watched a bunch of your videos, thanks for sharing I learned so much. You do make things look easy, but I will give your tips a try. You are a magnificent artist and teacher.

[@DarkisArt]

This is one of the best explanations and demo I’ve ever seen!

[@alic6958]

One of the best painting videos I've seen. Thanks so much!

[@gollypeeters4824]

thank you for this video. Breaking it up in all those steps is great ! Really shows what can be achieved. I will use it for a papier-maché monkey.

[@Lions_Pride_]

Seriously great Video. Thanks for the explanation!

[@michaellavelle9943]

Brilliant video. Very well though out, and very helpful

[@remysstuff3321]

Thank You Thank You for sharing your expertise..... Your work is BRILLIANT. Cheers

[@ruthdorner4001]

Thank you so much for this video! I'll practice your tips later on. I'm working on some cat paintings on river stones. I'm excited about how it comes out!

[@gwenhafford4112]

I’ve just found this video (on 3/7/23) and subscribed. Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. Of course, you make it look easy and I know I have many days/weeks/months/years of practice in front of me to even become proficient. This tutorial will be watched often. I love how you divided the paper up into sections for repeated practice. Thank you again.

[@lakwatserangPG]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Glad i found this video before doing my painting.

[@estherkendell3270]

Extremely helpful, I mostly work with oil and water color or do pencil drawings but all of these tips worked for those mediums too. Thank you very much.😊

[@triptisartwork]

That was extremely useful, very well explained. Thank you!

[@aragasparyan8346]

Thank you. You really help me . Your lesson helps me to improve my mistakes .

[@hoovesandfrogs]

Fur is something I've always struggled, with, this will help so much! I started teaching myself to draw at the end of 2019, I started with just pencil, the slowly moved onto coloured pencil any then onto soft pastels and pastel pencils. Fur has always been such a nemesis of mine and using paints so I've avoided both until more recently. I started my first Acrylic painting a few days ago, and he's been going great, however I'm now starting to try and add some detailed fur and after 3 layers it's still not right, this video though has really helped me! I need to go back out today and darken down my layers then add the lighter on top and then add shadowing etc. I'm going to watch your other fur video first to ensure I get the right colours etc. I don't paint for anyone else, just me. My dream would be to paint endangered and at risk animals and work with animal charities and to sell my paintings to people to bring some happiness to their life. Art is so important to me, I always drew as a child but stopped when I hit teenage years, however after a long hard battle with cancer that began at age 29, after beating the cancer and a tumour I thought life would go back to normal, working, hiking, rock climbing, dog walking, motorbike pulling etc. But not for me, because the cancer had spread and I had an inoperable tumour I had 2 different kinds of radiotherapy as well as chemo. Thankfully this worked and stopped the cancer dead, and the tumour has been dormant since too, however the radiotherapy caused massive internal damage and slowly overtime I started to struggle with a number of debilitating symptoms. After numerous operations and ridiculous amounts of medication, I have been left in a wheelchair, with no bladder and no bowel, and 6 discs from my spine disintegrated and my vertebrae damaged in the area of the treatment. So for a few years I sat in a wheelchair in the corner of a room waiting for life to end, then one day I thought why not try drawing? So what I've done is instead of focusing on what I can no longer do, I'm now focusing on new things that I can do. This video and other fur videos have helped so much! Id show you how my painted dog is coming along, however I can't do that here sadly. Please keep your videos coming, they're such a huge help to me as you explain things in terms I understand 😁 a huge Thankyou 🐸 Dee 🐸

[@AndrevwZA]

Brilliant. Super clear instructions.

[@Jenny-yl2hw]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, your explanation of each stage was much appreciated..

[@melh1030]

Thank you so much for sharing these tips! Wonderful video!

[@jeremy8692]

This is the mist informative video I've seen on paint techniques. A jem in a sea of speed paintings that don't teach anything. Thank you 🙏

[@allthelittleworms]

This was awesome and super helpful, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@Merricat66]

Thank you for this clear and really helpful tutorial. Just what I needed!

[@StudioWildlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@1disneyana]

Well done! Thank you.

[@wickylee4513]

Thank you for the amazing tips❤

[@douglasdishroon1834]

Wicked and very informative. Thank you for your time and expertise.

[@helenatorres1963]

This is gold!!! Thank you so much! I love your work🤩

[@albania10]

I think your work is amazing and a very underrated artist, you need more subs, your videos are quality and very useful

[@chrislafferty1475]

Awesome!! Thank you!🎉

[@jennyjennywesternwestern8679]

Wow, I better get practicing. Wonderful instruction.

[@mmblue3986]

Very educational…thank you.

[@cheryl641]

Awesome video. Very clear and really helpful. Thank you

[@rhondamarcelissen2919]

Thank you. Well done 👍🏻

[@seamacfly]

Great tutorial, thank you !!

[@armarat7419]

Excellent guide!! Well done, sir!

[@TheYjmfan]

Fantastic tutorial,thank you!

[@arthurpletcher7299]

So clear, concise and logical. Ty

[@santiagobaron4630]

What a useful video, thanks

[@normalshape]

Really helpful tutorial thanks a lot

[@unico9606]

The best tutorial I have ever seen!!!

[@StudioWildlife]

Haha Thank you very much!

[@FrankFons]

This is the right way to teach.

[@Proverbs3.3]

Wonderful video Thankyou God bless you

[@jennyalpin8055]

switching away from a detail brush was the best thing I did for painting detail ironically enough

[@sarojini108]

Brilliant tutorial, thanks so much! I paint purely as a hobby, for fun, but I still want to be the best I can and after watching your painting white fur video I painted a white cat much more successfully than my previous attempt, a rather flat looking fox! ( All the fur the same length and in one direction...)But my cat painting is small, and after watching this video I can see what I need to do differently next time- mainly not so much sharp detail all over.

[@wall_art_els]

This is very well said and exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for sharing this ❤. I love your channel 10:48

[@faunaonpaper]

Thank you for these fantastic videos and for sharing your skills with us!

[@amyt6254]

Wonderful tutorial!!

[@flowerflower-xl8qs]

That‘s exactly what I needed!

[@deliachavez974]

Muchas gracias!! BENDICIONES!!!

[@adamwest3266]

Thank you. Your work is incredible.

[@lynnmckibbon9150]

Great tips. Thank you

[@kerstinwooding137]

Thanks- this is helpful!

[@tiffanyshiels1910]

This is great Thankyou.

[@ritaosuch2120]

You are going to make me look so POLISHED!

[@rosanesilva6830]

Preciosas aulas. Obrigada pela generosidade de compartilhar seu conhecimento.

[@susanshew2373]

Wow - Thank you!

[@drawishes]

this tutorial is a treasure!!

[@ennov9349]

And here I am thinking I could paint good enough to get the don' t example :) Thanks for the video .

[@gettingpolitical]

This was extremely helpful, I enjoyed the vid.

[@ArtbyWhiteshirtt]

Excellent explanation.. much talent

[@-obamium5320]

Wonderful

[@yadvindersingh1752]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤️🙏

[@maheenshahzad64]

best tutorial yet for fur techniques !

[@StudioWildlife]

Thank you very much! Glad you found it helpful 😁

[@anaissolano2465]

This is the better video, thank you so mucho.

[@aparna7252]

You are master of Furs❤