Drawing black shiny fur with coloured pencils

In this video I explain how and why I add subtle colours such as pink and yellow to black fur to really help with the realism to indicate the light source on black fur. I'm using Clairefontaine Pastelmat Dark Grey, Faber Castell Polychromos and Caran D'Ache Pablos.
You can see more of my work using the links below:
/ bonnysnowdonportraits
/ bonny_snowdon_fineart
www.bonnysnowdonfineart.co.uk

[@happyone444able]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video! I have found it very helpful!!🥰🙏

[@_.forestrunner._3634]

Thank you, Bonny, this is a great video! You also pointed out a lot of things that I couldn’t notice 😊

[@kimbearlysoriginal4276]

Your videos are wonderful! I love them all! Thank you! Have a wonderful day.

[@jenniferlowe2255]

I truly appreciate your video’s, they are always such a big help. Thank you for all you do.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Jennifer Lowe thank you 😊

[@beverleywightman2413]

Thank you Bonny for another amazing video. You are truly an inspiration!

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

thank you so much :)

[@lynnrushton7458]

PINK!!!! Would never have thought it was in there!!! Learning so much from you Bonny .......thank you so much for sharing all of your tips & techniques x👍👍

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Lynn Rushton thank you 😊

[@InkysArt]

He is so adorable. And you are so talented

[@frankatz46]

Most fantastic and informative video. Thank you so much, Bonny. Really appreciate what you put out there for us all to learn from.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Fran Katz thank you 😊

[@crystalzak]

thanks for posting this. i have been drawing since the beginning of time, but this really clarifies the subtle colors in the black. as soon as you pointed it out, i saw them. i do a lot of horses, and this will help with them too.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@marystephens9150]

I never thought of pink, but sometimes I see purple in my black lab!

[@jolenecetak8046]

I learn so much from your subtle use of color!

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Thank you so much 😊

[@cuttlebugsue]

I'm in awe of your work and enjoy watching your videos

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Thank you :)

[@msee383]

Wow!! This is just awesome. Bonnie you have some talent.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Martin Mckenna thank you so much 😊

[@nicolejulien4545]

Wonderful; your work is fabulous.

[@karenharris269]

Thank you, I always struggle with totally black fur and this is very helpful!

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Karen Harris my pleasure 😊

[@weefirebelle]

Absolutely beautiful work, I love your gorgeous coloured pencil art 💖

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Alexandra Stewart thank you 😊

[@pennymacnair6980]

Thank you for sharing! You make it look so easy! 😳

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Penny MacNair thank you - it’s just practice honestly 😊

[@danijeffery4052]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you, it’s helped me learn a lot about colour.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

thank you :)

[@debbielett3824]

Beautiful work to watch

[@mldufault9399]

Bonny, this video is so helpful with the cat I am drawing. Waiting on the arrival of pastelmat pad of colors & Grafix drawing film. Ordered the missing single polychromos pencils in your tutorial ... This color pencil journey is so peaceful & building my skills enriches my life!

[@michaelmcewan432]

Fantastic work and excellent tutorial, massive help

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

michael mc ewan thank you so much 😊

[@sthorne526]

Beautiful work and informative tutorial. Thanks!

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

S Thorne thank you 😊

[@DiRidpath]

Thanks for this tutorial, Bonnie. It's very helpful.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Diane Ridpath my pleasure 😊

[@lisadennys6045]

Great video, thank you!

[@bornnoir]

Beautiful

[@debbiegoodyear5963]

Wow your work is beautiful... I'm hoping to see if you draw a st Bernard some time...

[@jimholt616]

Thank you for this informative creation, I've just began with Pastel Pencils, mostly Carbothello, but I'm increasingly getting drawn to Pollychromos for the ability to maintain a sharp point for detail.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

My pleasure :)

[@Crimsonshadow1701]

I have discovered that a mixture of blues and browns helps make a more convincing black than straight black

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Yes I always tend to use colours in my blacks - but you can also add glazes over the top 🥰

[@RobynBArtist]

thank you for this video!

[@michep.169]

it’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I am learning so much from you. Wish could attempt courses with you but you are full for a year

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Miche P. My commission books are full but you could join me on Patreon 😊

[@Nefkacolor]

Very nice job ♥

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Nefka color show thank you 😊

[@lisadennys6045]

I’m amazed at how Pastelmat doesn’t look grainy, even with only the first few light layers applied. I seem to have a hard time eliminating the graininess using other paper, despite many, many layers-especially in trying to do very dark fur.

[@faithetheredge1066]

How do you know where to put the yellow ochre? This is incredibly helpful by the way!!

[@whozart9418]

WOW, something to aspire to, incredible Bonny

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Whoz Art thank you 😊

[@cindyross7977]

Wow that's incredible! Bonny, I was wondering if I could rack your brain, my brother had black lab cross who passed away last week, I want to try draw him using your techniques but the image I have has a lot of his face in very dark shadow. Would you be able to give advise on what you would do if I showed you the image?

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Cindy Ross of course - why don’t you message me on Facebook or email me [e-mail] 😊

[@cindyross7977]

@@BonnySnowdonAcademy wow thank you so much!

[@mandyguthrie1965]

How do you get the original outline on the paper? I have used carbon paper but find it difficult to draw over as it is dark. Especially when using white colour.Like to trace the actual outline so that I get the animal in exact proportions.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

I tend to use a projector now, but used carbon paper in the past if I wasn't freehanding - you can get white transfer paper which is good but can be hard to draw over. Or you could add pastel to the back of your print out and trace over the outline - the pastel transfers to your paper and it;s then easy to rub off :)

[@USABrasil_curiosidades]

I bought you classes one patreon and Isee you work with pastelmat a lot.Can I use different paper? If yes. Which one do you think is the best

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

You can but you’d need to change your techniques 🥰

[@larkluvshorses7631]

So I'm a little confused, do you prefer layering dark over light or light over dark?

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Lark LuvsHorses I do both - with the paper I use layering light over dark, dark over light really helps to blend and build subtle layers of colour 😊

[@larkluvshorses7631]

Thank you

[@lindamclean8809]

Hi....do you normally start with the eyes? I do I like to see them looking at me

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Linda McLean I do - always. It encourages me to carry on with the drawing 😊

[@spikeybunny6577]

Wow! What a gorgeous drawing and excellent tutorial!!! That single white Caran D'ache Museum Aquarelle Watercolour is $11.32 from Amazon. Did you buy a set or the single pencil? I have Faber Castell Polychromos, but their white pencil isn’t very opaque, so I usually use a white Prismacolor pencil &/or General’s Charcoal White or General’s Pastel Chalk... still in search of better alternative, maybe it’s time to order the single Caran Dasche pencil?

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

I wouldn't buy from amazon - I use Coloured Pencil Shop :)

[@sarabuckingham1229]

What kind of paper do you use?

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

For this one it was Clairefontaine Pastelmat :)

[@debbielett3824]

Can not make picture to see, can not see list what is needed

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

I don’t think there is one with this video 🥰

[@msee383]

Sorry i spelt your name wrong............my cat is called Bonnie and just spelt it naturally that way, lol.

[@BonnySnowdonAcademy]

Martin Mckenna good name!!! And that’s ok - I answer to most things 😉