1. Image transfer

-    Download the fox outline or draw your own freehand

-    Shade the back of the printout with a dark pencil

-    Flip it over, tape it down, and retrace the outline on top to transfer the outline

-    Go over any faint lines with pencil so you’ve got a clear base to work from

-    Use the rough side of the watercolour paper, as the texture helps catch the pastel

2. Pastel wash

-    Use a scrap piece of paper as your mixing palette

-    Scribble yellow, orange, and azure blue pastels onto the palette

-    Wet your brush and blend the colours on the paper

-    Flick and swirl the colours loosely around the fox outline for an abstract background wash

-    If any water seeps into the fox, dab it away with a tissue

3. Fox colour palette

-    Apply Yellow pastel to the snout, head, and chest with long gentle strokes

-    Add Orange across the body to build midtones

-    Bring in Azure Blue to deepen shadows under the snout, in the ears, and at the top of the chest

-    Slightly wet a hard bristle brush and blend in small circular motions

-    Be gentle if using thinner paper so it doesn’t tear

4. Fur shading

-    Once dry, layer Tangerine, Orange, and Chrome Yellow to build up that classic fox colour

-    Alternate between azure and turquoise for contrasting depth in the shadow areas

-    Add Crimson around the eyes and along the snout for extra definition

-    Blend each section gently with a blending stump, finger, or tissue

-    Layer Chrome Yellow and Sky Blue over the body for extra visual interest

5. Details and texture

-    Use a Black watercolour pencil to draw the eyes, nose, and snout details

-    Add Turquoise to the eyes but leave small white highlights with exposed paper

-    Lightly drag a Yellow pastel over the fox body and face to create a soft fur-like texture

-    Add White pastel highlights to the nose, snout, ears, and chest

-    Keep building tones and refining edges until you’re happy with the final look!

Now you’re all done, pop your drawing in a frame and hang it on the wall, or gift it to someone you care about 💝