Foxes are a popular subject for artists to draw. Their alert expressions, fluffy tails, and rusty orange coats make them fun to depict in artwork. While foxes may seem challenging to draw at first, they can be broken down into simple shapes and steps that make them approachable for beginning artists. With some guidance on supplies, basic shapes, details, textures, and shading, you’ll be drawing adorable fox portraits in no time.

Sketching the Basic Shape

Head and Snout

 

The basic shape of a fox’s head is a oval or egg shape. Draw this first to establish the width of the head. Then sketch angular lines down from the sides for the muzzle. The muzzle should take up about a third of the oval. Add triangles on the sides for ears and a horizontal oval underneath for the neck. Pay attention to the facial proportions. Foxes have large, triangular ears and pointed muzzles. Their eyes sit high on the head above the end of the muzzle.

 

Body Shape

 

Fox bodies are made up of simple shapes—ovals, rectangles, and triangles. Start by drawing an oval for the chest. Add circles for the hips or haunches. Then connect these with lines for the belly, back, and legs. Extend rectangles from the chest for the forelegs. Triangles make up the lower hind legs attached to the hips. Keep the basic outline smooth rather than angular. Refine the shapes once you've mapped out the major forms.

Adding Details to the Face

Eyes

 

Once you have the basic head shape, you can start adding facial features. Fox eyes have vertically oval pupils with black outlines. They typically face forward. Leave white highlights in the eyes to make them look glossy and alive. Add bits of reflected light/environment to make the eyes shine.

 

Nose and Mouth

 

Foxes have long black noses that almost look like exclamation points! They also sport angular mouths with pointy teeth peeking through. Keep their expressions perky and mischievous. Add black outlines to define nostrils, lips, gums and teeth. Leave some white highlights along the edges of the teeth and gums.

 

Ears

 

Use triangle shapes to form the ears. Draw internal lines in the ears for definition. Ears should point up alertly, swivel back, or tilt to the side to suit the fox's current mood! Add white fur tufts inside the ears for extra detail.

Drawing the Body and Legs

Torso and Hindquarters

 

Now refine the basic body shapes using sweeping lines. Give the chest and neck a fluffy layered look with tufts of fur. Add indications of the shoulders, ribs, hips, and hind legs with light sketching lines. Connect the outlines to form the contours of the body. Keep the torso slender and legs delicate like a fox.

 

Forelegs and Paws

 

The forelegs should look dainty and end in small, oval paws. Use slightly curved lines to convey the foreleg shape. Draw individual toes on the paws grouped around a central pad. Add sharp little claws on the ends of each toe. Keep the lower legs slender like the fox's refined shape.

 

Hind legs and Paws

 

Angle the hind legs up slightly since foxes have a lowered hind end. Use flowing lines to show the thigh and calf shape. Follow the same paw structures as the front for the hind feet. The hind paws are a bit longer, but share the same toes, pads, and claws as the forepaws.

Creating the Tail

A fox’s tail makes up about a third of its entire length! Use flowing, sweeping curves to create a big, puffy tail. Outline the upper side of the tail first in an S-curve. Then add a curved line underneath that brings the tail back up at the tip. Draw irregular spikes along the edges of the tail to show fur texture. Add a white tail tip for extra flair!

Adding Fur Texture

Layering Lines

 

Create a furry look on your fox using groups of lines. Make layers of slightly curved lines that follow the forms of the body. Work from general to specific. Begin with large zones of texture, then refine with smaller tufts and fluffier bits. Vary the thickness and opacity of your lines for interest. Leave some blank areas for highlights and smooth fur.

 

Techniques

 

You can use many techniques to illustrate lush fox fur. Try cross-hatching, stippling, or scumbling with pencil strokes layered in different directions. For a painterly look, use dry brush techniques in watercolor or acrylic. Leave areas of white paper or paint showing through for shine on the fur. Work from dark to light when shading to build up texture.

Shading and Coloring

Building Dimension

 

Shading gives form to your fox drawing. Consider your light source and work from dark to light. Leave the white of the paper as bright highlights on the face and fur. Use linear strokes to portray glistening strands of hair. Layer colors like orange, brown, cream, white and black when painting or drawing in colored media. Deepen shadows near the ears, muzzle, and legs to increase the sense of form.

 

Color Selection

 

Foxes come in a range of color variations but typically include orange, brown, black, and white fur. Red foxes skew towards rich orange coats while grey foxes feature salt-and-pepper black and white fur. Look at color photos for inspiration choosing your fox's colors. You can also invent your own color combinations for a unique fox character. Let the light, shadow and texture do some of the work for you.

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