Velvet Deer Antlers – Acrylic Paint

In this 1.5-hour tutorial, I will show you how to paint the compact, fluffy velvet texture of deer antlers using a clear layered approach, breaking the process down into simple, manageable steps so you can build softness, depth and realism without overworking the surface.

We will focus on:

• My layering process for building soft velvet texture
• Working from dark to light to create depth
• Creating compact, fluffy texture similar to fur, but softer and more subtle
• The brush techniques needed to achieve a soft, velvety finish
• Controlling edges to keep the texture natural and realistic
• Building detail without overworking the surface
• Applying the same approach in both acrylic and oil paint

This tutorial is ideal for artists who want a clear, structured approach to painting soft, realistic velvet texture with more control and confidence.

A link to the reference photo used in this tutorial is provided, along with a close up of the finished painting to guide your detail and texture work.