STEP BY STEP AUTUMN DOG ILLUSTRATION WITH MOLLY DOODLE DANDY

If ever I’m in a rut with creating I always seek some seasonal inspiration in the weather. It’s a great way of experimenting with colours and coming out of your comfort zone. This step-by-step process will hopefully leave you inspired to create something fun with no pressure.

YOU WILL NEED:

Faber-Castell TK Fine Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm Faber-Castell TK Fine Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
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Faber-Castell Faber-Castell TK Fine Mechanical Pencil 0.5mm
£4.95 RRP: £6.50
PROMOTION

STEP 1

First decide what dog you would like to illustrate. After spotting a handsome Cockapoo in the park, I decided he would be my chosen subject. I’m using Cass Art 300gsm watercolour paper (cold pressed) as it really holds my chosen mediums of watercolour and gouache paints well. Cut it down to your desired size, mine is only size A5.

Make a start by using a Faber-Castell 0.5 mechanical pencil, begin a very loose sketch marking basic outlines and building it up until you have something you are happy with. The advantage of using a mechanical pencil is never having to use a sharpener, its always the perfect thickness and delivers great levels of precision- perfect for this size of doodle! It also has a very handy eraser built in.

STEP 2

Now we are happy with how our dog is looking, its time to ink! Using a Uni-Ball 1.0 Fineliner Pen, go around the outline of your sketch in all of the areas you want to remain permanent. These pens are water and fade proof so won’t run when it comes to painting.

STEP 3

Time to add colour. I start my base layers using Winsor & Newton Professional watercolour set and Cass Art Sable Watercolour brushes. This watercolour is very fluid and easy to move around the paper and also allows for errors.

STEP 4

Now using Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache, I build up shadows and depth adding darker and lighter layers over the watercolour. I find that these two mediums blend really well together and complement each other nicely. Give him a funky patterned jumper as an excuse to use colours in your palette that you wouldn’t always think of trying.

STEP 5

Time to add some finishing touches. Add a shadow around the foot line using watercolour with the addition of some leaves and you’re all done!

Be sure to follow Molly on Instagram  @mollydoodlin and see more of her work on her website here.