Drawing a Hare
A tutorial for coloured pencil artists

This tutorial provides you with a simple step by step guide on how to draw a Hare with coloured pencils. We teach you how to achieve realism in your pencil work by means of the layering process and correct application. The Hare is a popular subject and pencil artists, regardless of skill level, can achieve great results. The creation process does not need to be long and drawn out. All you need are 11 colours and an indulgence to be loose and expressive in your application. We calculate that this subject can be produced within a 30 minute window, however if you prefer to spend more time adding extra detail than our effort, go for it!

We used the Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils and the Moulin Du Roy watercolour paper for this tutorial. Your products do not need to be an exact match, simply select colours from your own pencils that closely resemble the colours we use. You can replace the Moulin du Roy paper with any hot-pressed paper.

The reference image can be found below, which you can screen grab and print out or view on a tablet whilst reading the instructions on a smartphone or computer.

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This tutorial was originally created for the Colored pencil Magazine 'Workshop series' in the March 2021 issue. It has been reproduced here for inclusion in our mini tutorial section. 

We hope you enjoy this tutorial and should you wish to request a subject that you would like to see included in a future mini tutorial, please get in touch!

The reference image

The products you will need

• Smooth white art paper
• Coloured pencils
• Indent/Emboss tool*

• Spare sheet of paper
• Clean eraser
• Soft brush
• ​B pencil**
  

​Paper Used: Moulin Du Roy Smooth Heavyweight
​Pencil range Used: Caran d'Ache Luminance
*If you do not have an embossing tool, you can use a sharp, white pencil instead.
** Only required if drawing the outline freehand

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Colour chart

We only used 11 colours for this tutorial, just to keep it simplistic. We used the Caran d'Ache Luminance range, but you can use a brand you own. Select the pencils that match the colours from the chart below, they do not need to be precise.

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IMPORTANT TIPS:  
* Ensure your pencils are sharp before you begin as this will allow for finer hair and create a more realistic look.​
* When applying your undertones at the beginning, use a blunt pencil to avoid harsh lines so you can soften them easily when blending.
*  To avoid transferring natural oils onto your drawing from your hands, have a clean sheet of paper to lean on whilst applying colour.  Natural Oils from your skin can damage your artwork which you may not be able to repair.​

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First, create your outline. This can be achieved via freehand or using tracing paper. If outlining freehand, a B pencil will be the better option. This ensures a notable outline that is somewhat easier to soften with an eraser before you begin to add a pigment to your paper. Transfer paper/spray may be difficult to erase the darker lines, but it depends how heavy-handed you are.

Indent tool or blunt tip of a thin tool

Once you have applied your outline, soften any dark lines with an eraser. You should still be able to see the guidelines, but it should be easy enough to cover them with your pencils. Use a small tipped indent tool to create the whiskers. Apply pressure to the paper to create depth. Emboss the paper to create the whiskers over the body and leave the ones that do not encroach onto the hare as a faint line of pencil. The whiskers found on the outside of the body can be applied with a hard pencil later. A brand like Faber Castell Polychromos is ideal for creating detail. Oil-based pencils are normally the firmer option, suited to fine lines.

 Colours: Light Flesh 10% 542

With the Light Flesh 10% (542) tone, apply a smooth, light base. To achieve this, hold your pencil horizontal to the paper and apply pressure using the full length of the nib rather than applying at the point. It is easier to control the pressure if you hold the pencil at the base, as seen in the photo above. This will allow you to cover quicker and it will produce a soft layer whilst diminishing any hard edges. Cover 95% of the subject, staying clear of the untreated areas seen on the image above (ears, eyes, nose, facial stripes and bobtail). Do not apply too heavily, so you can follow the outline below this layer. This will help guide you as you continue your application. 

 Colours: Brown Ochre 50% 836

With the Brown Ochre 50%, define the shape of the fur over the body, head and ears, paying special attention to the darker shading found in the fur. Apply more pressure to your pencil to achieve these values. Add loose lines, following the direction and length as the fur seen in the reference image at all times. Accurate application will provide the realism. Leave the untreated areas on the head as found in the reference image. This detail will be added once we complete the rest of the body. This distinction will help you construct the shape of your subject as you go along. The fur is longer in the chest area, which creates a natural wave. Ensure you mirror this in your application.

 Colours: Raw Umber 50% 846

With the Raw Umber 50% (846) tone, begin to construct the deeper shading in the fur. First, create the values beneath the jawline. To help you achieve the depth and softness required, hold your pencil horizontal to the paper and pull the pencil downwards. You should apply more pressure where it needs to be darker whilst releasing the pressure for lighter sections. Layer following the direction of the whiskers. This will avoid pushing any pigment into the lines you indented earlier. These techniques will ensure smooth layers and create softer edges. Apply the same effect over the bobtail too, applying more pressure at the top where it is deeper. 

 Colours: Raw Umber 50% 846

Continue across the rest of the body using the same colour. This will provide further definition in the fur, to create depth and shape. Deepen the shading on the fur, concentrating on the body, legs, ears and head. Apply more pressure for deeper areas of colour and lessen the pressure where you require lighter layers. When creating the fur on the body, legs, head and ears, study the reference image or our example above, to create the fur following the same direction as the fur in the photo. Define the shape of the legs, applying heavier pressure to deepen and looser pressure to lighten.

 Colours: French grey 30% 808

Continue with the same layering process, this time using the French Grey 30% tone to further enhance accents. Use the reference image or the photo above to determine pivotal areas. Make sure you apply loose layers so you do not overpower previous applications. As layers get darker, do not apply too much pressure to your pencil as this can make them hard and look unnatural. Deepen the shade below the neckline using the same technique as before. Each color should transition smoothly over previous ones, so there are no distinct joins. Deepen the shading on the bobtail. Apply more pressure at the top and loosen as you blend downwards for a lighter application. Create the shadow on the back leg to help distinguish the body from the leg.

 Colours: Payne's grey  508
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Continue this layering process with the Payne's grey (508), adding it into the fur, to create more depth. Concentrate on the back, the face and the ears. Deepen the hue below the neckline using previous techniques. The tone should merge smoothly with previous ones. Darken the tones on the bobtail, concentrating mainly on the top half. Add heavier pressure at the top and lessen as you blend downwards. Place details on and around the nose, eyeballs and mouth. Apply short lines to create the darker patches of fur on the ears. Deepen the shading below the jaw and mouth area again.

Colours: Black 009, Payne's grey 30% 504, Payne's grey 508, Buff Titanium 801, Brown Ochre 037, Violet Pink 583

Using the Black pencil (009), apply the markings on the ears, then fill in the pupils. Apply inside the nostrils and define the mouth. Use the Brown Ochre (037) to fill in the iris. Add a soft layer of Payne's grey 30% (504) to the top of the eyeball to create the reflection. You may need to reapply the black over the pupil if the grey tone lightened it too much. With the Buff Titanium (801), create the highlight in the bottom of the iris before adding detail around the eyes, nose and mouth. Apply a hint of colour above the mouth with Payne’s grey 30% (504). Add the white hair inside the left ear. To avoid contaminating the white pencil, wipe the tip after every stroke when overlapping darker colours. Add a light layer of pink to the base of the left ear using the Violet pink tone (583).

Colours: Payne's grey 504 (30%) and 508, Raw Umber 50% 846 and French grey 808

You may wish to apply more detail to this section in your own portrait, but here we add just a few details to keep this tutorial simple. Work on the pebbles first before adding the shadow beneath them. With the Payne's grey 30% (504), create the grey stones, firstly, by defining the shapes, and then filling in each section, applying a little more pressure when creating deeper values in several areas. To create these darker values and to add depth, use the Payne’s grey (508) tone. To construct the brown stones, use Raw Umber 50% (846) to define the shape and then cover the area. Finally, with the French Gray (808), add the deeper values.

Colours: Black 009, Payne's grey 30% 504 and
​Payne's grey 508

Add the deep shadows below the stones with the black (009). The black pigment is intense, so only a small amount is needed. Create the grey shading beneath the hare, first with the Payne’s grey 30% (504), then apply a second layer using the Payne’s grey tone (508). Hold your pencil horizontally and use the full length of the lead to apply a smooth layer. Blend the edges gently so they almost disappear into the paper. If the edges are too hard, you can always soften them with an eraser. If you need to darken the shadow, add more colour.

Completed

The time and effort you put into your drawing will help you improve your skills using coloured pencils, especially if you are new to them. The more detail you add to your portrait and the time you spend adding the right balance of light and dark values, will add more character to your subject. Our own drawing was created purely for this tutorial and is quite loose. The necessity of showing technique rather than skill was more important, but the overall effects offer a good example of how to execute your own piece for an authentic finish. 
It is far better to learn the techniques and implement your work in your own style, using the images purely as a guide. Your art will be more expressive and interesting than a carbon copy of the reference photo. Please do email us if you would like to add your drawing to our on-page art gallery.​

You do not have to apply every strand of fur to achieve a realistic drawing. Study your subject and by applying the tonal values in the correct areas ensure you achieve depth, and this is as important as the detail you add.

When applying the detail to your own drawing, always ensure you apply the fur following the same direction as you see in the reference. This will help to establish shape and improve realism.

The process used in this tutorial can be used as a guide for others subjects too.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. Please get in touch if there is a subject you would like us to cover in a future tutorial.

​If you would like to try another of our tutorials, click HERE.

From March 2021. Click to purchase the digital magazine, which includes the Hare tutorial. This is priced at £2.99/$3.99

​Tutorial created: February 2022