How to Draw a Deer: Watercolor Deer Tutorial
Hi There! Today we're going to learn how to draw a deer. I will illustrate a beautiful running white-tailed deer. {Sing it with me: "A Doe, a deer, a female deer..."} Okay, I'm done. Now, get your pencil and follow along with this watercolor deer tutorial!
watercolor illustration of a white-tailed deer with Heidi Joy
The SUPPLIES you'll need are:
a graphite pencil & eraser
watercolor paint brushes (multiple sizes)
and a water cup
Watercolor Deer Tutorial
Step 1:
Before you pick up your pencil, think about how you want to position your deer on the page. I use my page horizontally because it fits the shape of my deer better than a vertical page would.
Always
start with a penciled line drawing.
Never
underestimate this step. You can erase pencil. Paint, not so much. So take your time and get it right in pencil first. The eraser is your friend; Don't move ahead until you are happy with your line drawing.
Step 2:
When your pencil lines are to your satisfaction, you are going to start adding some color. Obviously, the overall color of your deer is brown, but there are variations in that brown. You want to find your lightest color, and start there. Let's start with the lightest shade of brown or tan and then build upon that. You're just going to color your pencil drawing. Fun! I like to lay down my color in the direction I think the fur is growing.
And then with your wet paintbrush, just paint over your color with similar strokes.
Step 3:
As I said, there is quite a variation in our brown color so I want you to look carefully and notice those variations. Don't be afraid to mix colors, even adding in some oranges and reds to add emphasis to areas that are getting less light, and deepening those areas that are shadowed. This may take some time because we are layering our colors to bring out some dimension. Be patient and really study the light, how it changes, and where it falls. Pretty soon, our drawing will start to take on some dimension rather than looking flat.
Step 4:
Once you have added all your color, watercolored pencil first, then water, we're just going to deepening those colors by continuing to mix and layer them together. Lay some more color over her neck with a bit of dark brown or even a deep red, a touch of black. And some light to her body with a bit of yellow perhaps. Pay special attention to shadows and what side of her body they're on. Shadows are not just black, so get creative, and find the color.
Step 5:
Okay now, you should get excited! This is my favorite part...highlights! Look closely at the lightest parts of her body. This is often where our brightest highlights need to be. For this step we're going to use our gouache. Grab a dry brush and use the paint straight from the tube for the most intense whites, or, with a wet brush, for a softer white/light. It's a quick and easy step, but this is where your illustration comes alive! Don't forget the catchlight in the eye. Isn't this exciting!!!
Don't worry if you use accidentally use too much. Just let it dry for a minute or two, and go back over it with a bit of color, black or brown, and then try again.
Step 6:
The last step includes your little black pen. I enjoy the 005 fine tip Micron, This step can make or break the work you've done up to this point, so proceed with caution ;) The trick is to add JUST A TOUCH of outline here and there. Make it a broken line. A little goes a long way, so start small. You can always add more. When done well, no one should notice the 'outline.' But you should notice your illustration pop!
So there you have it! You just learned to draw a beautiful white-tailed deer!
[If you or your children decide to paint along with me, drop me a note, or share it on Instagram, please use the hashtag #illustrating_withheidijoy so I can encourage you along! I'll even share it in my stories!]
If you’d like to watch the watercolor deer tutorial on video, Click the link below.
https://youtu.be/nRW0FEhklno
And if you'd like to see more of me illustrating nature, here's a good list to start with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRW0FEhklno&list=PLMqqhkxkjD9Zy0Wf5dz5m1_vkXAkzMS7v
E N J O Y! And see you next time!
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