Step 20: Darken the shape to the left to create the British shorthair's hind foot. The other hind leg isn't visible from this angle. Make the front part rounder for the paw and add a few short lines inside for the cat's toes and claws.
Step 21: Use the remaining shapes as guides to draw the rest of the British shorthair's body. Draw a series of short strokes along the U-shaped guide for the chest and upper torso section. Use short strokes along the line on the left but add a curved line at the bottom for the back of the cat's foot. Add some strokes above the hind foot and around the chest to emphasize the fur.
Step 22: Darken the arc on the lower, left side using short strokes to create the shape of the cat's tail. Draw a line across the arc that curves downward to show the tail curving in front of itself.
Step 23: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.
Final Step: Add some shading to your drawing for extra detail. British shorthair cats are usually dark gray, so shade the entire body using a medium to dark value. As you shade, use strokes that go in the general direction of the fur. On the head, the strokes should radiate outward from the nose. Use values that vary from medium to dark throughout the cat's body to emphasize the shadows and highlights. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. For a more detailed guide on how to shade, check out this tutorial: How to shade.
The irises are light-colored, so don't overlap the shapes of the eyes as you shade the head. When you shade the body, use strokes that mainly have a vertical orientation. It's a good idea to use reference as you draw for a more accurate depiction of a British shorthair. If you have a pet British shorthair or a similar breed, try to duplicate its coat on your drawing.
Continue shading until the cat's entire body is covered. Shading can be time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. Add a few short, extra-dark strokes across the cat's chest and legs to emphasize the fur. Don't forget to pause the video after each step to draw at your own pace. Add a bit of value under the cat for a cast shadow.
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