How to Create a Stunning Charcoal Portrait of a Blue-Eyed Cat: A Step-by-Step Tutorial Untitled

By Marco | Published February 1, 2024 | 5 min read

Welcome to this detailed tutorial on creating a captivating charcoal portrait of a blue-eyed cat, affectionately named “Persil”! If you’re an artist looking to master cat fur textures or a beginner eager to try charcoal drawing, this guide will walk you through the process with practical tips and techniques. Follow along to create your own feline masterpiece using charcoal and pastel pencils, optimised for a lifelike finish.

Stock Photo of a Blue Eyed Cat - Pexels.com

Why Draw “Persil” the Blue-Eyed Cat?

Cats are a favorite subject for artists due to their expressive eyes and intricate fur patterns. This tutorial focuses on capturing the softness and depth of a cat’s fur while emphasizing those striking blue eyes. For this tutorial I have used a stock photo of a blue eyed cat from Pexels.com . I’ve called her Persil because it saves me having to type “blue eyed cat “ very time. Whether you’re honing your charcoal skills or experimenting with mixed media, this project is perfect for advancing your artistry.

Materials You’ll Need

To create a portrait like “Persil,” gather these supplies:

•  Paper: Frisk 150g White Cartridge Paper (durable for heavy charcoal work)

•  Charcoal:

•  Koh-I-Noor white charcoal pencil

•  Soft charcoal powder

•  Hard charcoal pencil or block

•  Pastels: Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils (for subtle blending)

•  Eraser: Tombo eraser (for lifting charcoal and recovering white areas)

•  Reference Image: A high-quality, license-free photo of a blue-eyed cat (search for royalty-free images online like this one from pexels.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Drawing “Persil” the Blue-Eyed Cat

Step 1: Planning Your Composition

Before you start, decide on your paper and approach. For “Persil,” I chose Frisk 150g White Cartridge Paper because it can withstand heavy charcoal application and erasing. White paper allows you to work in reverse, emphasizing the cat’s white fur against darker tones.

Objective: Achieve a soft, realistic fur texture while preserving the bright white areas of the cat’s coat.

Pro Tip: Study your reference image closely. Note the direction of the fur, the intensity of the blue eyes, and the light source to guide your shading. It’s a personal thing but I always develop the eyes first. I believe it’s the route to the sole of the painting. If I don’t get the eyes I don’t get the personality of the subject.

Composition and First Layers

Step 2: Laying the Foundation with White Charcoal

To create vibrant white fur, start by applying a white charcoal base layer using a Koh-I-Noor white charcoal pencil. This technique, inspired by artist Colin Bradley, ensures that white areas remain bright even after layering darker charcoal.

•  Lightly sketch the cat’s outline and key features (eyes, nose, ears).

•  Apply white charcoal to areas of the fur that should stay bright, such as highlights on the face and chest.

•  Blend gently to create a smooth base, but don’t overwork it.

Why It Works: The white charcoal acts as a protective layer, making it easier to lift off darker charcoal later for a clean, bright finish.

Step 3: Adding Charcoal Powder for Fur Texture

Next, use soft charcoal powder to build depth and texture:

•  Lightly dust charcoal powder over the white base layer using a soft brush or your fingers in the direction of the fur to mimic its natural flow

•  Use a hard charcoal pencil or block to define sharper details, like individual fur strands or the edges of the ears. You can also use a sharp pointed instrument or knife blade to gently scratch in specifics like eyelashes, hairs or whiskers.

Challenge: Balancing softness and definition. The hard charcoal is key for crisp lines, while the powder creates a soft, fuzzy effect.

Step 4: Refining with a Tombo Eraser

The Tombo eraser is your secret weapon for recovering white fur highlights:

•  Gently lift charcoal powder from areas where you applied the white charcoal base.

•  This reveals bright, clean fur patches without damaging the paper.

•  Use short, controlled strokes to mimic the texture of fur.

Pro Tip: Test your eraser on a scrap piece of paper to get a feel for how much pressure to apply.

Step 5: Balancing the Portrait

After completing the initial sketch (end of Day 1), step back and review your work. For “Persil,” my wife, Chris, pointed out an imbalance in the face—what she called “a cat of two faces.” To fix this:

•  Cover one side of the face and compare it to the other to spot asymmetry.

•  Use the Tombo eraser to adjust proportions and refine details.

•  Add more hard charcoal for definition or soft charcoal for depth as needed.

Step 6: The Focal Point

The blue eyes are the focal point of “Persil.” Use Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils in shades of blue to create depth:

•  Layer light blue for the base color.

•  Add darker blue or gray for shadows and depth around the pupils.

•  Use white pastel to add highlights for a sparkling effect.

Tip: Keep the eyes sharp and vibrant to draw attention. Blend sparingly to maintain their intensity.

Step 7: Final Touches

Always review your artwork in natural light to spot any remaining issues. For “Persil,” I used a combination of hard and soft charcoal pencils to finalize the fur texture and balance the face. Step back frequently to ensure the portrait feels cohesive.

Pro Tip: Ask a friend or family member (like my wife, Chris!) for feedback. A fresh perspective can highlight areas for improvement.

Final Result: Persil, the Blue-Eyed Cat

Here’s the finished mixed-media portrait of “Persil,” created with charcoal and pastel pencils. The white charcoal base and Tombo eraser technique brought the white fur to life, while hard charcoal added crisp details. The blue eyes pop against the soft fur, creating a striking, realistic effect.

Framed Charcoal Pet Portrait “Persil”

Tips for Success

•  Practice Patience: Charcoal is forgiving but requires careful layering to avoid muddy textures.

•  Experiment with Tools: Try combining soft and hard charcoal for varied textures.

•  Use Quality Paper: Frisk 150g paper holds up to erasing and heavy blending, ensuring a professional finish.

Ready to Create Your Own Cat Portrait?

Follow this tutorial to draw your own “Persil” and experiment with charcoal techniques. Share your progress on social media and tag us at Art-Marco! For more art tutorials and inspiration, explore our blog or contact us for personalized tips.

Happy drawing!

SEO Optimization Notes:

•  Title: Includes keywords like “charcoal portrait,” “blue-eyed cat,” and “tutorial” to attract search traffic.

•  Headings: Use H2 and H3 tags (e.g., ### Step 1: Planning Your Composition) for better readability and SEO.

•  Keywords: Naturally woven throughout the text (e.g., “charcoal cat drawing,” “white charcoal technique”) to target art-related searches.

•  Internal Links: Links to the Art-Marco website encourage visitors to explore more content.

•  Call to Action: Encourages engagement (sharing artwork, tagging) to boost social signals.

•  Length: Expanded to ~600 words for better search ranking while remaining concise and actionable.

For more details on art supplies or to explore our portfolio, visit Art-Marco. If you have questions, leave a comment below or reach out!