** Exciting news ** - My graphite tier has just gone live on Patreon :). --> www.patreon.com/zaratomsart One new tutorial every month with a mix of domestic pets and wildlife subjects. I have a library on my website which lists all of the tutorials across my entire Patreon channel so you can see what content is available before joining :) --> petportraitsandwildlifeart.co.uk/?page_id=3404
Brilliant. I’m just starting in drawing and this tutorial is just what I need. I’ve watched it through once and I’ll watch it a couple more times and then ‘road test’ the technique. I’ve watched others I thought were good but I need to build from basics and hope eventually to be competent in animal drawing. Thank you.
Thank you for the feedback 😁😁. I'm definitely looking to do this. When I started the pastel and acrylic tier I worked on a library of turorials so that there were tutorials immediately available. This is what I would do for graphite so I need to get busy planning that and then make plans for it to launch. Exciting!
I loved your video, you explained everything beautifully and I'm so glad I found you because I was really scared of drawing black fur (I got commissioned a black cat and I was avoiding drawing it) and now you gave me the courage and the techniques to actually do it! thank you again, you gained a new subscriber
Hi Nicola, thank you :). Pleased to hear it was useful. I'll get some more planned and if the demand is there I'll be looking to add graphite to Patreon as well.
@@zaratomsart oooh I’ll have a look. Couple of questions, how do you do the initial outline sketch? Is it all freehand drawn, do you trace from an image etc. and you mentioned graphite powder in different shades. Where do you get this from? I can find the powder but not in different hardnesses. Thanks x
Great video. I have a black Lab and I’ve been wanting to attempt a portrait of him but was afraid to even attempt. I tried once and was really discouraged at my first try. But I am going to try again after watching your video. Thanks, I gave you a big thumbs up.
@LaurieLyon-t3b thank you =). All the pencils are graphite so they're different grey shades but it depends on how much pressure is applied and lighter pressure will create a lighter grey etc.
Zara, I'm quite good at drawing but this tutorial has been an amazing help, especially the graphite tip and base layering. It's also inspired me to get myself back drawing again, thank you. Can I ask what the best way, in your opinion, is to start a pet/animal drawing and scale where the eyes, mouth and nose sit. I normally just try and start the eyes 1st but sometimes it can get quite frustrating. Thankfully they seem to work out but it's just the beginning I struggle most with.
Ah yay! So pleased to hear it was useful :). For the initial sketch I personally get is all sketched out first and make sure the initial line drawing is accurate. For anyone who is looking to improve their freehand skills tracing can really help. If we freehand something and are aware we keep making mistakes it can be hard to know how to fix it. If we trace something 5 times over and over and then try freehanding it this second freehand attempt will be far more accurate than the first because our brain has been forced to draw it accurately to start with. The aim isn't to then always trace but using it this way will improve the freehand skills. It teaches us to see things more accurately and pay attention to spacing, proportions and perspective. My next method would be the grid but I have found with that if the grid method is only 1 or 2mm out it will throw the entire piece off. That grid has to be accurate to the mm. So for me the other way is my preference for improving freehand work. Hope that helps :)
@@zaratomsart thank you so much for your reply and description of how to improve my freehand skills, I'll see if it can work better for me and make a significant difference to my initial outline. I'll look forward to seeing more of your work and gaining more tips. Thanks again and apologies for the late reply
Hi Zara, your graphite tutorials are incredible. I'd like to know whether you have your paper flat or at an angle on an easel when drawing? Thanks again for sharing. 😊
So kind, thank you. I work upright because I have a bad neck and back which means I can't work flat. I use an A2 table easel which has always worked really well.
@@zaratomsart Thanks Zara. I love that you don't allow your back and neck problems stop you from achieving your wonderful artwork! I guess it's pretty much a personal preference, then. After watching your Batman graphite tutorial, I'm working on a cat drawing and finding your examples and advice so helpful. 😊
Hi! I have a commisdion with the dogs ears are showing completely black. I tried with charcoal but they turned out very flat. So you have any advice? Im starting over and not sure what the best medium to use is, or if you have any advice at all for completely fur is? Thank you!
I love drawing black fur in pastels. The way we can layer all the subtle tonal details on top creates a lot of depth. I have quite a few tutorials here on RUclips showing how I draw black fur in pastels =).
** Exciting news ** - My graphite tier has just gone live on Patreon :). --> www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
One new tutorial every month with a mix of domestic pets and wildlife subjects. I have a library on my website which lists all of the tutorials across my entire Patreon channel so you can see what content is available before joining :) --> petportraitsandwildlifeart.co.uk/?page_id=3404
You are by far the best video for tips and tricks! Thank you!
Wow, thank you so much ❤️❤️
Thank you for all of the tips. Amazing! Love the powder idea!!!
Brilliant. I’m just starting in drawing and this tutorial is just what I need. I’ve watched it through once and I’ll watch it a couple more times and then ‘road test’ the technique.
I’ve watched others I thought were good but I need to build from basics and hope eventually to be competent in animal drawing.
Thank you.
Absolutely… A graphite tier a must..
Thank you for the feedback 😁😁. I'm definitely looking to do this. When I started the pastel and acrylic tier I worked on a library of turorials so that there were tutorials immediately available. This is what I would do for graphite so I need to get busy planning that and then make plans for it to launch. Exciting!
What pencil did you use?
Great tutorial. Thank you!
My pleasure =)
Awesome possum
Thank you ..I’m just starting pencil art, this has been very helpful.
Wonderful! Very informative. You are very talented. Thank you!
Thank you so much. So pleased to hear it was helpful =)
I loved your video, you explained everything beautifully and I'm so glad I found you because I was really scared of drawing black fur (I got commissioned a black cat and I was avoiding drawing it) and now you gave me the courage and the techniques to actually do it!
thank you again, you gained a new subscriber
Wow thank you for such kind feedback. I really do appreciate that. I'm so pleased the tutorial was helpful ❤️
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT SHARING!!!!!!
My pleasure =)
You're an amazing teacher, this is exactly what I needed to move onto drawing wildlife.. can't wait to try out these new techniques! More please 🙏🏼 😋
Thank you ❤. I'm planning on uploading many more 😁😁
Amazing talent.
So kind, thank you
This is quite useful
So pleased to hear that 😊
I really appreciate all your tips 😊❤❤
So pleased to hear the tutorials are helpful =)
I would love full length tutorials animal's in graphite. Either via patron or RUclips. Loved this video
Hi Nicola, thank you :). Pleased to hear it was useful. I'll get some more planned and if the demand is there I'll be looking to add graphite to Patreon as well.
Thank you very much for your generosity.
🥰🥰🥰
Thank you Zara!
Great info. Thanks!
Pleased it was useful 😀
Très bonne vidéo, très pédagogique. Bravo
I really need to one of those erasers, really makes nice lines
They're brilliant!
Would love to see the Jack Russell being drawn, your videos are so helpful, thank you 😀
So pleased to hear that =). I think I have uploaded that video here to RUclips =)
@@zaratomsart oooh I’ll have a look. Couple of questions, how do you do the initial outline sketch? Is it all freehand drawn, do you trace from an image etc. and you mentioned graphite powder in different shades. Where do you get this from? I can find the powder but not in different hardnesses. Thanks x
Great video. I have a black Lab and I’ve been wanting to attempt a portrait of him but was afraid to even attempt. I tried once and was really discouraged at my first try. But I am going to try again after watching your video. Thanks, I gave you a big thumbs up.
Thank you, so pleased to hear it was helpful =)
This is quite helpful. Still trying to draw my Beagle, Toby. He is very hard for me to get the shadings right. Could I ask for your help?
Love the Jack Russel
One too - and any more graphite tutorial
Great. I'll get the voice over done for the Jack Russell =). I have lots more graphite ones planned 😁
Great tutorial! When you are working on the muzzle, it almost looks like you're using a gray pencil at times. Are you?
@LaurieLyon-t3b thank you =). All the pencils are graphite so they're different grey shades but it depends on how much pressure is applied and lighter pressure will create a lighter grey etc.
That is amazing now subscribed and following :)
Thank you ❤️
Brilliant thank you
My pleasure =)
Zara, I'm quite good at drawing but this tutorial has been an amazing help, especially the graphite tip and base layering. It's also inspired me to get myself back drawing again, thank you. Can I ask what the best way, in your opinion, is to start a pet/animal drawing and scale where the eyes, mouth and nose sit. I normally just try and start the eyes 1st but sometimes it can get quite frustrating. Thankfully they seem to work out but it's just the beginning I struggle most with.
Ah yay! So pleased to hear it was useful :). For the initial sketch I personally get is all sketched out first and make sure the initial line drawing is accurate. For anyone who is looking to improve their freehand skills tracing can really help.
If we freehand something and are aware we keep making mistakes it can be hard to know how to fix it. If we trace something 5 times over and over and then try freehanding it this second freehand attempt will be far more accurate than the first because our brain has been forced to draw it accurately to start with.
The aim isn't to then always trace but using it this way will improve the freehand skills. It teaches us to see things more accurately and pay attention to spacing, proportions and perspective.
My next method would be the grid but I have found with that if the grid method is only 1 or 2mm out it will throw the entire piece off. That grid has to be accurate to the mm. So for me the other way is my preference for improving freehand work.
Hope that helps :)
@@zaratomsart thank you so much for your reply and description of how to improve my freehand skills, I'll see if it can work better for me and make a significant difference to my initial outline.
I'll look forward to seeing more of your work and gaining more tips.
Thanks again and apologies for the late reply
@@Krazykeeno76 no problem at all. If you have any other questions feel free to ask :)
I would love for you to do a tutorial of a close up full body of a "dappled short haired Dachshund . I do love your techniques & videos.
What is the whit pencil your using?
Sorry just heard you say the name of the eraser. 👍thank you. Your videos are fab.
Hi Zara, your graphite tutorials are incredible. I'd like to know whether you have your paper flat or at an angle on an easel when drawing? Thanks again for sharing. 😊
So kind, thank you. I work upright because I have a bad neck and back which means I can't work flat. I use an A2 table easel which has always worked really well.
@@zaratomsart Thanks Zara. I love that you don't allow your back and neck problems stop you from achieving your wonderful artwork! I guess it's pretty much a personal preference, then. After watching your Batman graphite tutorial, I'm working on a cat drawing and finding your examples and advice so helpful. 😊
hi zara be brilliant if you done some graphite tutorials my favourite medium
I have plans to make more =). Its a lovely medium to work with isnt it.
You are such a good teacher. What eraser do you use for the highlighted hairs?🤔
Thank you so much that's so kind. I'm so pleased the tutorials are helpful 🥰
Thanks
Hi! I have a commisdion with the dogs ears are showing completely black. I tried with charcoal but they turned out very flat. So you have any advice? Im starting over and not sure what the best medium to use is, or if you have any advice at all for completely fur is? Thank you!
I love drawing black fur in pastels. The way we can layer all the subtle tonal details on top creates a lot of depth. I have quite a few tutorials here on RUclips showing how I draw black fur in pastels =).