Drawing a fox starts with capturing the triangular shape of the head and the thick volume of the tail. This lesson focuses on using construction shapes to build the body before adding texture. You will end with a shaded drawing of a sitting fox.
About a Fox
Foxes have large pointed ears, a narrow muzzle, and a tail that is often as long as their body. Their legs are relatively short compared to their torso.
What you need
- 2B graphite pencil
- 4B or 6B graphite pencil for the darkest shadows
- Blue col-erase pencil for the construction lines
- Kneaded eraser
- Cream or white drawing paper
The 9 steps
Light comes from the upper left in every step. Each picture shows the drawing as it should look when that step is done.
Step 1: Primary shapes
Use the blue col-erase pencil to draw a small circle for the head and a larger oval for the body.
Common mistake: Beginners often make the body circle too small; ensure the body oval is twice the size of the head.
Step 2: Muzzle and ears
Add two triangles for ears and a rectangle for the muzzle using the blue col-erase pencil.
Common mistake: Do not make the ears too small because foxes have very large, prominent ears for hearing.
Step 3: Leg and tail guides
Sketch simple lines for the front legs and a large curved shape for the tail with the blue pencil.
Common mistake: Avoid making the tail thin; a fox tail should be thick and bushy, almost the size of the body.
Step 4: Head outline
Switch to the 2B pencil to draw the final shape of the head, ears, and muzzle over the blue lines.
Common mistake: Avoid drawing perfectly smooth lines; use short, quick strokes to mimic the appearance of fur.
Step 5: Body and legs
Outline the chest and legs with the 2B pencil, adding small oval shapes for the paws.
Common mistake: Beginners often make the legs too long; keep them short to maintain the sitting pose.
Step 6: Tail and facial features
Draw the tail and add the eyes, nose, and the white tip of the tail using the 2B pencil.
Common mistake: Placing the eyes too high on the head is common; keep them level with the top of the muzzle.
Step 7: Shadow block-in
Switch to the 4B pencil to shade the right side of the fox, keeping the left side light.
Common mistake: Shading the entire fox will make it look flat; leave the left side white to show the light direction.
Step 8: Darkest darks
Use the 6B pencil for the darkest areas like the paws, nose, and the shadow under the fox.
Common mistake: Forgetting the cast shadow on the ground makes the fox look like it is floating.
Step 9: Highlights and cleanup
Use the kneaded eraser to lift graphite from the left side and the tail tip to create highlights.
Common mistake: Do not scrub with the eraser; instead, press and lift to keep the paper texture clean.
What makes it look right
- Keep your pencil strokes in the same direction as the fur grows to create a realistic texture.
- Sharpen your 2B pencil frequently to keep the facial details crisp and clear.
- Vary the pressure on your 4B pencil to create soft transitions between light and shadow.
Get the finished coloring page
The clean outline from step 6, ready to print and colour.
View the coloring pageThe whole lesson on one sheet
All 9 steps with their captions on one page. Print it and keep it next to your paper.
The fox is now complete with its characteristic bushy tail and shaded form. Try drawing another fox in a running pose to practice different body shapes.