Blog February 2026 – Jack Russell in pastel colors

Using a color palette of various brown and ochre tones, I drew this beautiful short-haired Jack Russell. As with most of my drawings, I first draw the outlines with an HB pencil. The eyes are drawn and, most likely, I turn my drawing paper upside down for this, which gives a better view of small details in and around the eyes. The fur around the eyes gets a base layer of Pan Pastel, on which small lines are then hatched in the direction of the hairs of the fur, using various earth tones. I also use this fur coloring technique for the ears and the fur of this Jack Russell.

The nose is colored with brown and gray, while the nasal cavities and shadows are a combination of dark brown and black. The grainy texture of the nose is achieved by dabbing with a stump.

The fur on the neck gets less detail, this way you create depth.

My advice is that it is good to evaluate the work from a distance from time to time and to take a break in time.