This time, with a "teddy bear" as our theme,
we'll introduce "how to color soft, fluffy fur texture."
Let's have fun coloring this adorable stuffed animal together.
About the Line Art We'll Be Using
The line art we're using this time includes assist lines showing the direction of the fur.
That makes it easier for even beginners to achieve a natural, fuzzy look.
We offer two versions — one [with assist lines] showing the fur direction, and one [without assist lines]. Once you get the hang of it, please also try the version without the fur-direction lines.
On the official Nuri-Iro website, you can purchase both a downloadable version ready to use right away, and a "pre-printed" version on dedicated coloring paper — check out whichever fits your style.
>> Get the "Teddy Bear" Line Art Here
Basic Coloring | Tips for a Fuzzy Look
How to Hold and Move the Pencil
Sharpen your colored pencil well, and mainly use a scratching motion, flicking lines from top to bottom or bottom to top (the "flick stroke" technique).
>> See the Basic Coloring Lesson Here
This time we'll use brown, drawing while referencing the fur direction in the line art.
Even for the shorter fur areas,
keep the idea of "layering lines" in mind as you draw.
Start with a light touch for the base coat,
being careful not to press too hard and flatten the texture.
If an angle is hard to color, it's also important to rotate the paper into a more comfortable position.
Observation Is the Shortcut to Improvement
The same goes not just for bears, but
for other animals or fur-textured clothing too.
Fur length and direction vary from one subject to another,
so take a good look at "which direction it flows" and "where it's densest."
Drawing Fur with Dimension in Mind
Rather than just adding more fur lines,
it's important to think about the direction of the fur while keeping the roundness of the arms and legs in mind.
For the legs especially, use a gentle touch
and color with a soft, fluffy feel in mind.
Deliberately leaving the lines uneven, rather than perfectly aligned,
creates a more natural fuzzy look.
Layering for Fur Volume and Depth
For the first pass, color as if capturing the overall flow of the fur.
Vary the length of the fur to create some unevenness as you draw.
Next, go over it a second time using the same brown, or a slightly darker dark brown.
For the outer fur, layer the lines heading inward,
so the color underneath shows through naturally, increasing the sense of dimension.
For the second pass, you can either:
-
Darken the same color with more pressure
-
Use a slightly darker color
Either works fine.
Once you get comfortable, try adding midtone colors for even more depth.
Adjusting Depth and Points to Watch
Layering color can easily flatten the fur texture,
so pay extra attention to your pressure.
Sharpen your colored pencil frequently too,
and keep the tip pointed as you draw.
Add a light layer of color throughout to eliminate any sparse-looking gaps,
but if you color too darkly, the fur's texture will disappear,
so keep it "light and soft" throughout.
Finishing Dimension with Black
To finish, use black
and add shadow mainly to the recessed areas.
Here too, draw with the lines in mind,
being careful not to fill it in solid.
Don't overdo the dark areas either —
keeping some unevenness leads to a more natural fuzzy look.
*In the image above, the seams around the edges are visible, but we'll color that area next time. Stay tuned!
Coloring the Inner Ears and Foot Pads
For the inner ears and foot pads,
think of them less as "fur" and more as "soft fabric."
Lay the colored pencil on its side and use the flat edge of the tip
to gently stroke in the color.
For fine details too, keep the pencil on its side rather than upright,
moving it lightly so the color doesn't get too dark.
Adjust the shadow with a second pass,
being careful not to let the contrast get too strong.
Coming Up Next Time
That's it for this time.
Next time, we'll continue coloring.
We'll be coloring a hat, ribbon, bag, and more —
a variety of textures like fabric, white materials, and glossy ornaments.
It's packed with fun material expressions to enjoy,
so please look forward to next time as well.