Dog drawing in alcohol markers

Dog outline drawing

- Start with a loose sketch focusing on the overall shape of the dog

- Transfer the printable outline if you’d prefer a guide

- Just shade the back, flip, tape down, and retrace the linework

- Or if you’re freehanding, map out the eyes, nose, ears, and muzzle

- Adjust the proportions until everything feels balanced

- Keep your sketch light since it’s only a guide

Base colours

- Begin with your lightest colours first

- Use the chisel nib to block in larger areas

- Separate the fur into light, mid-tone, and dark sections

- Work gradually from light to dark like watercolour layering

Dog face drawing

- Start refining the eyes and nose early in the process

- Use contrast to help anchor the dog’s expression

- Leave tiny areas of the eyes uncoloured to create shine

- Build subtle shadows around the muzzle and cheeks

Fur texture drawing

- Layer the fur gradually to create depth and softness

- Follow the direction of the fur as you add strokes

- Use the fine nib for smaller texture details

- Add darker tones slowly to avoid overworking the paper

- Use the fine nib to dot colour into certain areas for extra texture

- Layer light grey into white fur areas to suggest soft shadows and shape

- Add grey tones into black fur where light naturally reflects

- Keep building layers to increase depth

Adding final details

- Use the fine nib for whisker dots, fur edges, and smaller facial details

- Add whiskers using a fine tip white acrylic marker

- Step back and check the overall balance

- Put your furry friend into a frame or up on the wall!