The Making of "Red Fox in the Snow"

There’s something truly magical about spotting wildlife in a winter landscape. One chilly day, as snow blanketed my garden, I saw a handsome fox emerge—his vibrant red coat a striking contrast against the white, snowy backdrop. This fleeting encounter sparked the inspiration for one of my favourite pieces, "Red Fox in the Snow".

Step 1: Sketching the Outline

Every piece begins with a simple sketch. For this A3 pastel drawing, I started by loosely outlining the fox’s form, focusing on capturing his relaxed pose as he lay in the snow. I wanted to emphasise the curves and contours of his body, giving a sense of his warmth and presence against the cold ground.

Step 2: Blocking Out Colour with Soft Pastels and Pan Pastels

Once I had the sketch in place, I began the process of adding colour using soft pastels and Pan pastels. At this stage, the goal is to lay down the foundational colours and create a sense of depth. I blocked in the fox's warm, russet tones, carefully blending them to capture the play of light on his fur. For the snowy ground, I used cooler blues, purples and whites to evoke the crispness of the winter air.

Step 3: Adding the Details with Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils

With the base colours in place, it was time to bring the drawing to life by focusing on the fine details. I used Faber-Castell Pitt pastel pencils to add the intricate textures of the fox’s fur, layering different shades to create a realistic, yet soft, look. These pencils allowed me to capture the subtle shifts in tone and the way the light played off each strand of hair.

Available as an Original and Fine Art Print

"Red Fox in the Snow" is not just an artwork; it’s a memory captured on paper, and I’m delighted to offer it for sale both as the original pastel drawing and as high-quality fine art prints. Each print faithfully reproduces the richness and detail of the original, allowing you to bring a touch of the British countryside into your home.

Thank you for following along on this artistic journey! If you'd like to purchase the original or a print, please visit my website. Your support helps me continue to share the beauty of British wildlife through art.

Fox and pheasant original drawings