How To Color Fur in Procreate

Hello, our dear Procreate artists and animal lovers! Did you ever wish you could give your furry friends on canvas a touch of realism? Today, I will walk you through the process of coloring fur in Procreate, focusing on our beloved canine pals. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Coloring Dog Fur in Procreate

No matter if it’s a golden retriever’s shiny coat or the unique patterns of a Dalmatian, at the end of this tutorial, you will be able to do it all! Color palettes and Procreate Fur Brushes can also help you out, so don’t be shy and check them out!

Selecting the Right Base Color

Choose a base color that closely matches the natural fur color of the dog breed you’re drawing.

Example: For a golden retriever, start with a warm, golden-brown base.

Base colour

Applying the Base Layer

Use a medium-sized, soft brush to lay down the base color evenly.

Keep the strokes consistent to avoid visible brush marks.

Medium-sized soft brush

Adding Shadows and Depth

Identify where the natural shadows fall on the dog’s fur.

Use a slightly darker shade than the base color to add these shadows.

Example: Under the ears, belly, and tail.

Adding shadows and depth

Highlighting Fur

Switch to a lighter shade for highlights.

Highlight areas where light naturally hits, like the top of the head and back.

Use a smaller brush to add fine details.

Highlighting

Blending for Realism

Use a blending brush to soften the transition between base color, shadows, and highlights.

Be gentle to maintain the fur’s texture.

Using a blending brush

Detailing with Texture Brushes

Use a fur texture brush to add realistic hair details.

Pay attention to the direction of fur growth. Pay attention to the direction of fur growth. If you’re looking to create your own custom fur brush, consider following our guide on how to make a fur brush in Procreate.

Fur texture brush

Final Edits

Adjust the overall saturation and brightness if needed.

Add any special markings or color variations specific to the breed.

Adjusting saturation and brightness

Conclusion

Coloring fur in Procreate is all about observation, layering, and patience. Understanding the texture and flow of fur, and how light interacts with it, will make a difference in your artwork. Happy coloring!

Author Image
Tanya is a digital artist with a passion for bringing stories to life through her art. Drawing has been a part of her life since childhood, and over the years, she expanded her repertoire to include both traditional mediums and digital platforms. Her toolkit includes a range of software skills, from Procreate and Photoshop to Adobe Indesign, and After Effects.

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Whatsapp Email