In this tutorial​, I will be showing you how to use the tools within clip studio paint to draw a fox in a winter scene.

They are one of my favorite animals to draw, especially in wintertime, thanks to their vibrant color.

The tutorial will focus on how to approach drawing animals and offer tips on how to best depict fur as well as some other basic painting techniques.

 

Let's go!

1. Create New Document & Gather References.

First, I create a new document with the dimensions: 3200 x 2400 pixels.

with 300dpi.

Next, I gather a number of reference images of foxes and foxes in the snow.

2. Sketch Basic Shapes Of Animal.

If you are new to drawing an animal it's always best to break it down to its simplest shapes. This is also a technique you can use for starting any drawing.

I begin by choosing the elements I like from my references and create a pose and composition I think works well.

This I do by using the Pencil tool.

3. Start To Add In The Details.

Once you are happy with your outline you can begin to draw over it with the details.

I add in the eyes, mouth fur, ​and a background. Giving it a slightly stylized edge.

4. Create New Layers & Begin Painting!

Once happy with you're sketch you can move on to the next stage.

 

First, I create 2 folders (using the folder icon at the top of the layers panel)

Name the first one "Fox" and the other "Background"

Create a new layer in each.

 

Next, Selecting the standard G-pen I begin to draw over my outline of the fox in the layer in the fox folder. I then repeat this going over the outline of the background in the background layer.

 

5. Add Base Colour!

Next, I am ready to add my first bit of color. Exciting!

 

I create 3 new layers in my fox folder & Label; Orange, Black, and White.

Next, I add the corresponding colors to each layer using the Paint bucket tool in the correct area, Making sure "Follow adjacent pixel" is selected.

However, in the white layer, I use an off white color to distinguish​ from the background.

 

I also add a 4th layer labeled eyes to color separately​.

6. Add Dark & Light Fur.

Next, Create 2 new Layers. One named "Light" the other "Dark"

 

For the "Dark" Layer, I select a dark brown color and fill the sections at the bottom of the fox's legs and paint in two brown strokes inside the ears.

 

I then use the pencil tool set at 2 - 3px and with pressure on.

Select a lighter color and begin to paint the fur in the "Light" Layer.

 

It will help to look at your reference image and notice the direction of the fur.

 

8. Add More Fur!

In the "Dark" layer. With the pencil tool, I select a dark brown color and start adding in some darker strands of fur where there are shadows.

 

I then add a lighter highlight in the white fur in a new layer.

9. Lighten Outline.

Something I like to do is to lighten the outline layer once I've got all my base colors down.

I do this by selecting the outline layer and putting a transparent lock on.

(This is the little icon at the top of the layers panel with the little square and padlock)

 

Once selected, I get the soft airbrush and go round blending the outline color to the area that it is in. You can, of course, erase any part of the outline you don't want. But, you can also leave this if it fits with your style.

10. Render!

The fox is looking good! but it could do with a little more work.

 

I now look back on my reference images and do a comparison and begin to add in anything that I've missed or could improve on.

 

Cleaning up the edges, adding in more highlights and shadows, changing​ the shape of the ears...

 

I also notice the eye 'sclera' part, could do with being lighter! And we shouldn't forget those whiskers. That's Better!

12. Colour Background.

Going to the background folder and opening it, Create a new layer called "Colour"

 

I select a blue/ grey color and use the airbrush and start to add it. Focusing on the lower parts of the hills.

 

Then I select the pencil tool and add deeper shades to create shadows, under the lines I've​ already made.

 

I then create another layer "Snow"

 

Using the "spray" Airbrush I create a fine particle that resembles snow, in the same blue/grey color. I then paint a white spray one over the already colored areas so the effect is visible throughout.

13. Final Adjustments!

I'm feeling the image is nearly done.

 

There are just a few extra details I want to add before completing.

 

Firstly, I add a bit shadow under the fox and some more detail on the trees.

 

 

Lastly, I create a new " Correction layer" From the layer drop-down menu and select Hue/Saturation.

 

I tweak with the saturation, adding more color and darken it every so slightly.

and there you have it.

 

A Fox in the snow.

 

I hope you learned something new in this tutorial and it helped you in some way.

You can, if you wish, check my profile for more of my tutorials.

 

Thank you.