Mastering Realism: A Coloured Pencil Tutorial for Drawing a Hare

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Welcome to this step-by-step tutorial, where you'll learn how to create a lifelike Hare using coloured pencils. Using only eleven colours, you'll learn techniques for layering and applying coloured pencils to achieve depth and realism.

Drawing animals with coloured pencils can be incredibly rewarding, and this tutorial will show you how to capture a lifelike hare with surprising ease. We'll guide you through a simple, step-by-step process, demonstrating how the interplay of layering and precise application can bring your artwork to life. Whether you're new to coloured pencils or an experienced artist, you'll find that creating a stunningly realistic hare doesn't have to be a lengthy or complicated endeavour. In fact, with just 11 colours and a willingness to be expressive, you can achieve impressive results.
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Here's what you'll learn:

• How to draw a realistic hare using a simple, step-by-step method.
• Techniques for layering and applying coloured pencils to achieve depth and realism.
• Tips for working efficiently to create a detailed drawing in a shorter timeframe.
• Guidance on selecting and using just 11 coloured pencils effectively.

This tutorial offers a streamlined, approachable path to creating captivating animal portraits with coloured pencils, perfect for artists of all skill levels.

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​​Materials Used for This Tutorial

To create your realistic hare drawing, you'll need just 11 coloured pencils and your preferred paper. In our demonstration, we used Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils, but it's important to remember that specific brands are not critical. Feel free to select colours from your own collection that closely resemble the ones we use. The key is to choose a range of values that will allow you to build up the rich tones and textures of the hare's fur.
For paper, we opted for Moulin Du Roy watercolour paper. However, any hot-pressed watercolour paper will serve as an excellent alternative. Hot-pressed paper's smooth surface is ideal for coloured pencil work, allowing for seamless blending and fine detail. Don't worry about matching our exact materials; the goal is to use good quality art supplies that you're comfortable working with to achieve beautiful results.

• White paper - Canson Moulin Du Roy hot pressed
• Coloured Pencils - Caran d'Ache Luminance
• Indent/Embossing Tool
  
• Soft Brush
• Clean Eraser
• HB Pencil​

• 001 White
• 801 Buff Titanium
• 542 Butternut
• 856 Brown Ochre 50%​
• 037 Brown Ochre

• 846 Raw Umber 50%
• 808 French Grey
• 583 Violet Pink
• 504 Payne's Grey 30%
• 508 Payne's Grey
• 009 Black

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Important information before you begin

• Soften Outlines: If you use a lead pencil for your initial sketch, always gently lighten it with an eraser before applying any coloured pencil. This prevents the graphite outline from being "sealed in" by the coloured pencil layers, which can make it difficult to erase later.
• Controlled Colour Build-up: Build your base tones slowly and patiently. Apply initial undertones using the lateral side of the pencil to create a soft, smooth tone. This technique prevents harsh lines and sets a clean foundation for layering. Avoid over-saturating the paper too quickly with colour. The number of layers you can apply effectively will depend on the tooth and quality of the paper you are using.
• Sharp points: Sharpen your pencil before adding fine details, such as individual hairs. A sharp point allows for greater precision and creates the crisp, realistic strokes needed to finish the piece.
• Protect Your Paper: To prevent transferring natural oils from your hands onto your artwork, always place a clean sheet of paper under your hand as you draw. Skin oils can damage your paper and affect how coloured pencils adhere, potentially creating marks that are difficult or impossible to remove.

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First, create your outline. This can be achieved via freehand or using tracing paper. If outlining freehand, a B or HB 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.

Stage 1 - Creating the Whiskers

Product Used: Indent Tool

After you've created your outline, use an eraser to soften any dark lines. The faint guidelines should remain visible enough to be covered by your pencils later. To create the whiskers, use a small-tipped indent tool to emboss the paper. Apply pressure to create depth, indenting whiskers that overlap the hare's body. Whiskers that extend outside the body can be drawn in later with a hard, sharp pencil. Faber-Castell Polychromos are an excellent choice for this kind of detailed work. Their oil-based leads are firm and ideal for creating the fine lines you need.

Stage 2 - Laying Down the Base Tone

Colour Used: Butternut (Light Flesh 10%)  (542)

Using the Butternut tone, apply a smooth, even base layer. To ensure optimal control, hold your pencil horizontal to the paper and apply pressure along the lateral side of the nib, rather than at the point. Gripping the pencil closer to the base, as shown in the photo above, will give you better control over the pressure. Cover approximately 95% of the subject, avoiding areas like the ears, eyes, nose, facial stripes, and bobtail. Maintain a light application so that the underlying guidelines remain visible.

Stage 3 - Defining Fur and Form

Colour Used: 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.

Stage 4 - Adding Depth and Final Details

Colour Used: Raw Umber 50%  (846)

With the Raw Umber 50% 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. 

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Stage 5 - Creating Form and Depth

Colour Used: Raw Umber 50%  (846)

​Continue to build up the colour and definition of the fur using the same colour. Deepen the shading on the fur, concentrating on the body, legs, ears and head. Apply more pressure for darker areas of colour and lessen the pressure where you require lighter layers. To create a realistic effect, study the reference image and ensure you are applying the fur strokes in the correct direction. Finally, define the shape of the legs as previous application, using heavier pressure to deepen the tone and lighter pressure to soften.

Stage 6 - Enhancing Accents with Layering

Colour Used: 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. Use light, loose layers to avoid overpowering the previous colours, and be careful not to apply too much pressure as the layers get darker, as this can make them appear hard and unnatural. Deepen the shade beneath the neckline using the same technique as before. Each colour 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. To help distinguish the body from the leg, create a shadow on the back leg.

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Stage 7 - Adding Deeper Shading

Colour Used: Payne's Grey (508)
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Continue this layering process with the Payne's grey, adding it into the fur, to create even more depth. Concentrate on the back, face and the ears. Deepen the hue below the neckline using previous techniques. The tone should merge smoothly with previous ones. Darken the top half of the bobtail with the same Payne's Grey.​ Add heavier pressure at the top and lessen as you blend downwards. Place details on and around the nose, eyeballs and mouth (noted on the image above). Create the darker patches of fur on the ears with short, precise lines and deepen the shading below the jaw and mouth area.

Stage 8 - Defining Features

Colours Used: Black (009) - Payne's Grey (508) - Payne's Grey 30% (504) - Buff Titanium (801) - Brown Ochre (037) - Violet Pink (583)

Using the Black pencil, apply the markings on the ears, then fill in the pupils. Apply inside the nostrils and define the mouth. Use the Brown Ochre to fill in the iris. Add a soft layer of Payne's grey 30% 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, 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%. 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.

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Stage 9 - Detailing the Surroundings

Colours Used: Payne's Grey (508) - Payne's Grey 30% (504) - Raw Umber 50% (846) - 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%, 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 tone. To construct the brown stones, use Raw Umber 50% to define the shape and then cover the area. Finally, with the French Gray, add the deeper values.

Stage 10 - Final Touches and Shadows

Colours Used: Payne's Grey (508) - Payne's Grey 30% (504) -  Black (009)

Add the deep shadows below the stones with the black. 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%, then apply a second layer using the Payne’s grey tone. Hold your pencil horizontally and use the lateral side of the pencil 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.

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​​​Conclusion

Spending a significant amount of time and effort on your drawing is crucial for developing your colored pencil skills, especially if you're new to the medium. The more attention you pay to fine details and the more time you dedicate to creating the right balance of light and dark values, the more character and depth you will be able to bring to your subject.

This particular drawing was created for the sole purpose of serving as a tutorial and is therefore intentionally loose. We've prioritised demonstrating key techniques over producing a highly polished piece of art. The overall effects, however, still serve as an excellent guide for how to execute your own drawing and achieve a more authentic, true-to-life finish.
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It is far better to learn and master these techniques and then apply them in your own personal style, using the reference images purely as a guide. Your finished art will be more expressive and unique than a mere copy of a photograph, allowing you to create a piece that is truly your own.

Creating a realistic drawing isn't about replicating every single hair. Instead, focus on tonal values to create a sense of depth and form. By carefully studying your subject and applying the correct balance of light and dark tones in the right areas, you can achieve a three-dimensional effect that is just as important as adding individual strands of fur.
When you're ready to add detail to your drawing, always make sure you apply the fur in the same direction you see in your reference photo. This simple technique is critical for establishing the correct shape of your subject and significantly improves the realism of your work. The process and techniques demonstrated in this tutorial are not limited to this subject and can be effectively applied as a guide for drawing other animals and subjects as well.

​When you've finished your artwork, we would love to see it! Please email a clear photo of your final piece to: [email protected].
​We are excited to feature your work in our gallery, celebrating your unique interpretation of this tutorial. Be sure to include your name with your email.

View our other coloured pencil tutorials

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​Tutorial created: February 2022