How to create a Fursona
What is a Fursona?
So, what's a "fursona"? It's like a furry version of yourself or a character that represents you. Many people take their favourite animal, creature or mix a bunch of them together to create their fursona.
The most popular are canids (like dogs, wolves and foxes), felines (cats, lions, tigers), magical creatures (dragons, griffins) and there are also some original species invented by others, like protogens, sergals and so on.
But hey! Don't copy someone else's fursona! To make one, first choose which animal you want to be and then comes the fun part: deciding on the colours, patterns, and details like wings, accessories, tattoos, that sort of thing. You can also think about the personality you want to represent, you know? Like, if you're independent, a cat might be the right vibe, or if you like freedom, maybe a husky or shiba is more your thing.
And there's more! Things from your real life can also influence the design. Like your weight, your ethnicity, where you were born, what hobbies you have, it all helps to build the fursona. And here in the furry community, inclusion is everything. There are no limits to creativity when it comes to creating a fursona!
How to create a fursona (with a bonus for artists) :
Let's get down to basics:
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Species/race(s): Choosing the species or breeds that most fascinate you is the starting point. You can opt for a real animal, like a wolf or a cat, or dive into fantasy with a mythical creature like a dragon or a griffin.
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Colours: The choice of colours is crucial. You can use your favourite colours or explore combinations that appeal to you visually. Deciding on patterns is also important - they can be simple or complex, depending on the style you prefer.
Important note: avoid using pure black or white, and colours that are too bright, as they can make the design overly saturated. -
Special features: This is the time to let your imagination soar. Wings, accessories, tattoos, birthmarks - all of these add depth and personality to your fursona. These features can reflect your personal interests or elements that identify you.
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Personality/traits: Your fursona's personality can be as unique as yours. The personality traits you assign to your fursona will help shape their interactions and stories.
Sometimes, fursonas don't directly reflect the personality or physical characteristics of their creators. Some say that "dogs look like their owners", but the opposite also exists. Some people choose to create fursonas that are completely different from themselves, exploring aspects of themselves that may not be evident at first glance.
In the end, there are no explicit rules - remember that creating your fursona is a personal expression of your creativity and identity, so have fun and let your imagination run wild!
Design Guide
The world is full of design inspiration, be it species, races, different physiognomies, natural colours or even genetic mutations.
There's no shortage of examples and variety for fursonas, whatever your preference.
Colour Guide
Can I have more than one Fursona?
Of course you can! There's no rule that says you have to stick to one fursona.
Many people have several, to explore different parts of their personality. Like, you have days when you're all relaxed and others when you're pure energy, so it makes sense to have fursonas that reflect those vibes. Create as many as you like, with different styles, animals and colours! Total freedom! Remember: you're unique, so express yourself in your own way!
Do it yourself (without drawing) :
There are a multitude of easy-to-use and free references available on the internet, and one of the best places to find them is the deviantART. However, the problem with free bases is that the selection is often limited, usually concentrating on cats, dogs or wolves. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't use these bases as a generic starting point and then ask an artist to adapt them to the species you want.
The advantage of free bases is that, firstly, they're free and, secondly, many of them are compatible with programmes such as Paint, making editing easier for those who don't have much experience with drawing software.
On the other hand, there are also bases for sale that require more advanced programmes, such as Photoshop or even SAI (which costs around €7, which isn't very expensive). These paid-for bases offer a much wider selection of species, accessories, physiognomies, etc.
What's more, many of these paid-for bases are very affordable and, depending on the rules for using the base (TOS), you can even recover the money you've spent creating designs to sell. These paid bases are known as "Pay To Use" (P2U).
In short, you have a variety of options to choose from when creating your fursona.
Ask Someone
- A) We don't feel like designing;
- B) We can't conceive of a concrete idea;
- C) We can't think for ourselves, but we find inspiration in other sources.
It's thanks to the vast and dynamic community that we've found solutions for all of this: from people willing to turn our ideas into reality (artists) to people willing to turn our ideas into reality (artists) to people willing to turn our ideas into reality (artists) to people willing to turn our ideas into reality. commission art.
Individuals who create designs for sale (known as "Adoptables"), from which we identify and purchase (yes, it's crucial to buy, otherwise it's considered theft).
With regard to point C), it is essential to recognise the distinction between inspiration and theft. Taking inspiration from other artists' work is a common and healthy practice, as it can boost our creativity and expand our horizons. However, it is crucial to respect copyright and avoid directly copying or plagiarising other people's work. Instead, we should use these influences as a starting point to create something unique and original, thus guaranteeing due recognition and respect for other people's creativity.
art by: Kingparked