Draw What You See, Not What You Think You See
The Secret to More Realistic Animal Portraits
One of the biggest mistakes artists make when drawing animals with pastel pencils… is drawing what they think they see instead of what is actually there.
Our brains like to simplify things.
We think we already know what an eye, nose, ear, or fur looks like — so we stop truly observing.
But realistic animal portraits are often created through careful observation.
Here I show you tips how:
1. CAREFULLY OBSERVE YOUR REFERENCE PHOTO BEFORE STARTING
Spend time really looking in the reference photo before you begin drawing.
Often, the more carefully you observe, the more details you will notice.
2. IDENTIFY THE SHAPES IN THE REFERENCE PHOTO
Try to simplify complex areas into basic shapes first.
This can make drawing animals feel much easier and more manageable.
3. DETERMINE THE COLORS IN THE IMAGE
Look closely at the color variations instead of assuming what color something “should” be.
Fur often contains many more shades than we first notice.
4. OBSERVE WHERE THE LIGHT AND DARK AREAS ARE
Light and shadow create depth and form.
Paying attention to value changes helps your animal portrait look much more realistic.
5. IDENTIFY THE SHADES, HIGHLIGHTS, AND SHADOWS IN THE REFERENCE PHOTO
Notice the softer transitions as well as the strongest contrasts.
These small observations help bring your drawing to life.
6. THINK ABOUT THE LIGHT DIRECTION: WHERE IS THE LIGHT COMING FROM?
Understanding the light source helps you place highlights and shadows more naturally.
This creates a much stronger sense of realism.
4. NOTICE THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE FUR GROWS
Fur direction is incredibly important when drawing animals with pastel pencils.
Following the natural fur flow helps create softness and realism.
4. PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANGLES OF THE LINES
Small angle changes can completely change the structure of an animal portrait.
Careful observation helps improve accuracy and proportions.
Final thought:
When drawing animals with pastel pencils, realism often comes from careful observation.
The more you study shapes, colors, shadows, fur direction, and light in your reference photo, the easier it becomes to draw what is truly there — instead of what you think should be there
Do you want to learn how to draw a sweet little cat with pastel pencils? Join my beginner-friendly cat drawing workshop here!
Want to start drawing realistic animals today? Click here!
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