Seven steps to painting a hedgehog

As the evenings grow longer and autumn settles in, it felt like the perfect time to paint a little hedgehog preparing for winter. Whether you’re following along to try it yourself or simply enjoy seeing my process, here’s a detailed walkthrough of how I bring this tiny creature to life.

Step 1: Sketching and Masking

I begin with a light pencil sketch of the hedgehog. I protect the whiskers by applying masking fluid. To create added texture, I flick some masking fluid randomly around the paper—it’s a little messy, but that’s part of the fun! Throwing it on quickly gives interesting textures in the finished piece.

Step 2: Painting the Snout

I unusually start with the snout first, aiming to make it look moist and shiny. I blend blue and cadmium red, along with burnt umber and cobalt blue. For the deepest shadows, I avoid black entirely, instead using a mix of indigo and sepia for richer tones.

Step 3: Adding Color Gradients

Using very fine brushes, I carefully blend the colors on the snout, which takes patience and practice. Observing the reference closely helps me capture the hedgehog’s subtle features. Next, I move on to painting the eye with equal attention to detail.

Step 4: Painting the Eye

I always leave a tiny highlight in the eye to create life and sparkle. I don’t mask it here because I want soft edges. Beginners may prefer masking small areas to help control the water and preserve the white space.

Step 5: Working Loosely

Now it’s time to loosen up. I often turn the painting upside down, especially when painting the spikes that face outward. Manipulating the water on the paper can produce dynamic effects, but if you like the current look, leave it be. With experience, you’ll develop more confidence in letting the paint flow.

Step 6: Creating Spikes and Texture

To give the hedgehog its spiny texture, I work wet-in-wet, combining cobalt blue and cadmium red. The body stays wet, allowing me to drop in colors wherever they feel right, blending naturally as I go.

Step 7: Final Details

For finishing touches, I flick white acrylic paint over the spikes to add extra texture and depth. I also drop in darker purples and hint at fallen leaves around him. After the painting dries completely, I remove the masking fluid to reveal crisp highlights. A few tweaks here and there, and voilà—our autumn hedgehog is complete!

This approach combines careful detail work with playful, wet-in-wet experimentation, capturing the hedgehog’s charm and the season’s atmosphere.