Dog Drawing Masterclass - Tutorial #3
Create your own loose, characterful drawings!
A deeper insight into the process...
Hello lovely friends!
You loved drawing Spike, so I’m very happy to share a brand new tutorial with you. Today we will be drawing GORGEOUS Louie! (above!)
This tutorial is especially about softness and texture.
Louie has the most wonderful fluffy fur, so he’s perfect for practising gentle pencil layers, line weight, and letting a character slowly grow from the inside out.
This is Tutorial #3, and it’s much longer this time, with even more detail and a lot more chat. I used to love watching my art teacher at school, so even if you just fancy watching something relaxing, you don’t have to draw along. You can simply enjoy watching Louie come to life on the paper, and hear the thoughts behind the process.
In this tutorial video I also give extra details about the exact colours I used, and more real-time conversation so you can draw along with me.
If you’d prefer not to join the paid membership, don’t worry at all. Read on for plenty of hints, tips and the reference photo so you can still enjoy the tutorial.
Some key tips from the tutorial
Here are a few of the most important ideas I talk through as I draw:
1. Line weight is everything
The same pencil can create so many different effects depending on pressure and speed. Try playing with light, feathery marks and bold, confident ones.
2. Build the form first
I always start by finding the shape and structure underneath, then slowly develop the fluffy, furry form from there. There’s never really a hard outline. The character grows from the inside out.
3. Practice is joyful (and good for your brain!)
Drawing isn’t about perfection. It’s about enjoying the process. Practising takes the pressure off and builds confidence over time.
4. Patience matters
A whiskery drawing takes longer than you think, but that slow layering is where the magic happens.
5. Blunt pencils are wonderful
Sharp pencils give crisp detail, but blunt ones give energy and softness too. The combination is what makes a drawing feel alive.
6. Use a rubber as a tool
Don’t be afraid to add dark bits. You can always lift them back out. I often use my eraser as part of the drawing process, not just for mistakes.
Materials (use whatever you have)
You don’t need anything fancy at all. Printer paper and any pencils are perfect.
If you’d like to know what I used for this drawing:
Paper: any white paper or card (I often use GF Smith)
Pencil crayons: any brands work well (I like Faber Castell - Polychromos, Staedtler, Caran d’Ache)
Eraser: linked here
Sharpener: linked here and here (if using Faber Castell use the matching sharpener)
White highlights: I use this white ink, but Tippex or white paint works too
That’s it!
Reference photo
Here is the picture of Louie I drew from:
🎥 Watch the full tutorial: Drawing ‘Louie’
For those of you who would like a 35 minute in-depth tutorial, I have filmed one and added it below.
I talk through creating Louie almost step by step, exploring when to use sharper pencils, when to change colour, how to blend, and you can watch him come to life so you can create your own version.
The video is paywalled, but please click “Claim my free post” so you can watch. Every reader can have one free post, so do use it.
After that, I would love for you to consider joining my Substack community (join here). You would then have full access to all my tutorials, you can ask questions, join my Zoom chats (the next one is at 4pm UK time on 11th February), show me your work, and enjoy studio tours and sketchbook peeks too.
It’s a really lovely group, and well worth £8.33 per month ($11.29 USD).
