Draw this gorgeous wolf - or werewolf - in graphite pencil. This wolf drawing tutorial was created for us by Michael Hames, whose experience as an artist and teacher is evident in the clear structure and beautiful textures that he develops in this drawing. Michael is a Canadian artist whose work is widely published and exhibited - and rightly so, with a combination of technical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity. So I'm really excited to be able to bring you this tutorial. Draw a Wolf.

I used to covet a Kolinsky Sable brush. Not just a little one - a big, fat lovely one to do huge washes with. But I've realized that using fur is neither compassionate nor ethical. Facing up to the reality of fur means that a Kolinsky sable brush will never find a place in my studio. Fortunately, synthetic alternatives are excellent - my preferred brushes are Taklon, and especially the Robert Wade white Taklon brushes available here in Australia. Comparable brushes in the USA would be Robert Simmons 'White Sable'. I find that the Taklon brush holds its point well, and holds enough water to wash well without flooding. And there's no animal cruelty involved.

The 'best' Kolinsky Sable is made from winter coat of the Siberian Weasel, though fur from its cousins, the Himalayan or Yellow weasels or Martens, is also used. Farming methods are not humane, and the animals are protected in some areas so there's a thriving trade in illegal pelts.

More on Fur:
The Cruelty of Fur Farms
Peta Exposes Cruelty (caution, distressing video)
Fur Isn't Green (discussion in comments)

Image: Part of a haul of 85 wild weasel skins confiscated by Beijing forest police. (© Getty Images) Top: a Siberian Weasel in Dresden Zoo (Wikimedia).

We often think of charcoal as a medium for quick sketches or large figure drawings. But you can use it for detailed work too. Studies like this animal skull by Alberoni show the depth that can be achieved. Charcoal pencils are ideal for doing the detail in drawings like this, or you can use a stick, 'sharpened' on a piece of sandpaper or rough cardboard. Charcoal can be difficult to erase, so be careful to preserve highlights. Beginners sometimes make the mistake of making dark areas too flat, and can seem oddly featureless, as though part of the drawing is missing. Unless you've got a microscopic black hole in there absorbing all the light, you can still have some subtle modeling of form.

Charcoal Drawing Articles:
Charcoal Drawing FAQ
Charcoal Exercise - Soft Volume
How to Apply Spray Fixative
Charcoal for Drawing - Top Picks

Photo: Skull (c) Alberoni, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Christmas cards don't have to be traditional and crafty if that isn't your style. If you prefer a contemporary look, break out the drawing tablet and try this original Manga Christmas Card design especially for About.com Drawing/Sketching readers by Manga artist Shinaebi. Use her design as it is, or add some of your own ideas and color schemes.

More Christmas Card Art
Shinaeibi's Manga Christmas Card
Christmas Clipart to Draw and Color
Draw a Christmas Tree Using Paint 7with About Desktop Publishing
How to Make a Greeting Card and
Holiday Crafts (About.com Desktop Publishing)
Create a Greeting Card with Adobe Photoshop (About Graphics Software).

Image: (c) Shinaebi, licensed to About.com, Inc.