Congratulations! You're a Furry!
Welcome to the Furry Fandom!
You've already done the hard part -- you've decided that you enjoy cartoon characters as much as the rest of us. Maybe you're even willing to draw, write, or whatever creative fun you do best with rest of us while having a good time! (and if you're an artist, you can make some good money drawing everyone else's furries...)
That's not all, though! One of the big things that separates being a Furry from being a fan of Harry Potter or Star Trek or even a fan of a whole genre like Manga is that furries tend to make up their own mythos as they go, rather than having a corporation serve one up to you. You can bring your own original works to life!
Many of the other furries you consider friends and fans have their own personal characters they use within the fandom, as representatives of themselves the same way you would have a special avatar in a role-playing game that's unique to you.
This is called a Fursona (Furry Persona), and they have lots of uses you'll discover as you start to become more involved in the fandom.
The best way to figure out what they're all about is to make one for yourself!
Furries are on Twitter too!
Look what Other People are Saying about Their Fursonas!
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- Mochiroo
- Dude, my fursona Mochi is designed as a reflection on me, not as some fantasy sex symbol that you can undress with your mind and fap to ugh
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- Aforextreme
- Also #10yearsago I was in the 4th grade and drawing "Mitchell the Mouse". Scary to think I had made a fursona at the age of 4.
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- sarah_zero
- My new fursona: a one-wolf manpack
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- feather_tail
- #wordcount on @starletfallen's #fursona #story is 635! My muse wanted it action/suspense, but I finally remembered the awe that she wanted.
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- FrozenVoid
- @progsnake Was it the fursona?
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- HylianWolf64
- http://yfrog.com/3njgrsj fursona pic...take a look ^^
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- jaspian
- @Shadow_stallion My outfits look like "sexy" :p I own all of the costumes my fursona wears (on my FA)
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- RolfRaccoon
- @darkfur93 It was originally yes. I switched to RolfHusky when my fursona changed for like a month or two.
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- BearNoiz
- @shy_matsi Am sure as you say not real fursona, either way urgh *shivers* <then pukes a rainbow> LMAO #clownswill DestroyUsAll #DestroyUsAll
Step 0: Decide Why You Want a Fursona!
A Good Fursona Requires Plenty of Effort, so don't rush...
Furries are highly visual people. Most of the fandom's interest is in visual representations. By having your own illustrated character, you become easier to interact with inside of the fandom because people can tell more easily who you are!- Appealing characters are easier to remember than names! Sure, people won't remember who you are if you're SephirothLuver666. They WILL, however, remember a purple fruit bat with a giant crown and an ermine cape. Yes, both are equally silly, but admit it, you're not forgetting about King Batty anytime soon. Visual images have that effect on people.
- Everyone loves artwork of themselves! Even if you don't plan on purchasing commissioned artwork of your fursona, it's inevitable that someone will offer you fanart or try to draw you into something they're already working on. Since drawing human characters isn't nearly as interesting (or simple, in terms of certain art styles), a fursona provides an easy shorthand for almost ANY artist to illustate!
- Expressing yourself as a certain animal (or a combination of animals) can say a lot about what type of person you are! As humans, we naturally apply lots of symbolism to various animals. Dogs are loyal. Cats are independent. Foxes are tricksters. In a medium where face-to-face contact is rare enough as is, being able to express who you are in a convenient form is especially useful!
- The More, the Merrier! Just like many online efforts, the more people and things there are in something, the bigger and better it gets. By contributing your fursona to the fandom, you get to improve the fandom and make it more fun for everyone else!
- There's no Better way to Promote Yourself! Plan on selling some artwork? Want to feature your comic? Just can't keep quiet about how awesome you are? Your Fursona is a personal brand you can build off of, and even use to further your other goals within the fandom!
- Gain a Deeper Connection with the Community! Unlike being a fan of a TV show, where your interest may shut off as soon as your favorite actor disappears or the plot just turns in a direction you hate, creating a fursona gives you a piece of the fandom you'll always love to see!
Do You Need a Fursona to be part of the Fandom?
Answer the Question and Give Us Your Opinion!
Well, it's a fair question... some folks can't make a good character, others don't develop the same "connection" to their avatars as others do, and some folk just can't decide on a single character... are they at a disadvantage when dealing with other furries, or can they get involved just like everyone else?
Do you need a Fursona to be a Furry Fan?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes! That's the Whole Point of Being a Furry!
brad r. furry n proud :D says:
for some, i do realise that you can be rather good or suck at drawing furries. i myself cant make colored ones for my life but i can make black and white good:) so if you REALLY cant draw, ask a friend/relative to help!:) (look for my new comic, a sequal to better days by jay naylor at jaynaylor.com on deviantart.com look for the name foxvolt!:)
Posted January 02, 2010
Talus says:
Yes, otherwise you arent really a furry...
Posted December 30, 2009
Soit Taling Meisie says:
"Yeah... all I need is a program, and I have it!"
Posted December 14, 2009
chocklitfrosti says:
i think a fursona should be mandatory,yes.
Posted December 08, 2009
Lacdo says:
i suck really bad at drawing i have a few ideas but i cant put them done on paper!! D: i have some names to go with the furries.. can any help?
Posted November 29, 2009
No! Can't I just look at the Pretty Pictures in Peace?
~keltrotyrone says:
Not to be a furry FAN, but to be a Furry? HELL YES!
Posted December 27, 2009
lily says:
You can still be a furry fan without a Fursona. But having your own fursona can add more fun to being a furry fan.
Posted December 20, 2009
Florian says:
Eh. It's not really necessary. Fursonas (Fursonae?) and such don't appeal to everyone...
Posted December 18, 2009
Stry Decorts says:
I know some friends who love the Furry Art, but would not consider themselves a furry.
Posted December 10, 2009
Errinyia/Adolf says:
No.
It's nice to browse artwork and see what other people have done, and be inspired. Having to make a fursona to browse artwork is unfair - what if someone doesn't want to, or can't?
Posted November 17, 2009
Step 1: Select a Species
Hey, We Have to Start with the Basics.
The most obvious cue of your fursona will be its species -- dog or cat, fish or fowl, unicorn or dragon -- and it will also be one of the harder decisions you need to make as a result, as it's a hard thing to alter later on.
Granted, there's nothing keeping you from switching characters entirely, but it's much easier to justify a new wardrobe or hair color than it is an entire species-change.
There are thousands upon thousands of species you can choose from. Wolves and Foxes are the most common, but there's nothing keeping you from being your favorite breed of terrier, a gerbil, or even something a little more exotic like a horse, tiger, or kangaroo! If you're looking for something a little less... mammalian, lizards and birds are also just as useful.
If these seem limiting to you, or you just can't decide between two species you really love, there's no reason you can't combine two or three different animals together to create something that's all yours! And if you're really feeling daring, you can create an entirely new species all your own, that's as wild or exotic as you can imagine!
There's no limit to what's available to you; since it's all illustrated somehow, as long as someone can draw it, you can have it!
Already have a Species in mind?
Tell Us What You're Thinking!
Maybe you're already interested in the fandom because of a particular species, or you even already have a fursona you're looking to spruce up! If you do...
Step 2: Decide on a Color Scheme!
It'll save you a lot of effort later on, trust us.
Past the species, the next obvious thing about your fursona will be its color scheme. It may seem strange, but since people will eventually be trying to illustrate your character, having a color scheme they can stick to is incredibly useful.Just like picking a species that represents you, the colors you choose will also make a certain statement about you. These colors can be as muted or as wild as you like, but you'll likely want to pick anywhere from two to five colors you want to repeat over and over in your character.
Having Trouble Finding A Color Scheme?
Adobe's Kuler is an online service to help you find and make great color schemes!
Step 3: Give your Fursona a Wardrobe!
Clothes. Your Fursona Needs Them. Trust Me on This.
But clothes are just another way of expressing your character's personality! Even totally realistic fursonas (most domestic dog fursonas, for example) have special collars / bandannas / piercings or other accessories that don't look totally out of place on an animal, and these can be added to even the most basic fursona!
(Also, if you choose a fairly "common" fursona species to begin with, you'll need to do more and more to make them look unique and original...)
Using your Wardrobe for your Color Scheme
I recommend not using all of the colors in your chosen color scheme on your character's physical body, and leaving some of the colors to appear in their clothes.
It's far simpler to change / adjust your color scheme later by giving your fursona a new wardrobe than it is to dye their hair / fur!
Step 4: Accessorize!
Clothes Make the Man. Accessories Make the Furry.
Defining your character with a species, a color scheme, and a wardrobe is all important... but now it's time to realize you may want some additional traits to throw in, whether they be piercings, special hair dye (like streaks or highlights), a signature piece of jewelry, or certain accessories like a musical instrument, a weapon, or their favorite game console!Some ideas:
- Popular Fashion Accessories like purses, cell phones, and shoes can make or break a modern-themed character!
- Punk / Goth Accessories like collars, corsets, cinchers, and gauntlets / leg warmers can stand alone while still making a statement!
- Got a Job? Throw in some common accessories associated with it; from a cup of coffee to a laptop, If you use it on the job, it's fair game!
What About Fursuits?
Oh, the irony.
Step 5: Put it All Together with a Character Sheet!
(A handy-dandy reference to your Fursona for Everyone!)
Okay, so now we've put together everything that you like about your fursona; you've picked out a species, colored it the way you like it, decided what sorts of clothes it should wear, and even picked out some accessories to go with your character and pose them with!
Now, how are we going to tell everyone else about all of this in a simple way that allows anyone who wants to illustrate your character to do so easily?
Why, with a character sheet!
Also known as a character model sheet, It's a simple one-page graphical layout of your character's physical traits and details. You can either make one yourself, or work closely with a more accomplished artist the first time to have them craft a character sheet for you.
The general rule is that if it's something you think is important to the character, include it on the sheet. Don't go overboard focusing on certain details and leaving out others, though! Certain minimum details, such as the color of your character's eyes and hair, should always appear on your character sheet!
Learn More About Making Reference Sheets!
OMG, it's Another Squidoo Resource for You!
There's a whole other Squidoo lens that can teach you more about what makes a good character sheet once you've finalized all the details of your fursona!-
Design a Character Reference Sheet for Your Fursona!
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A character reference sheet (also known as a character model sheet, ref sheet, character sheet, or other similar terms) is a visual representation of your character, a few key accessories / weapons / outfits, and whatever else you think is needed to...
The Best Things to Have In a Character Sheet
If it's Worth Doing, it's Worth Doing Right!
While what you put to paper is ultimately up to you, Everyone likes certain things in a character sheet! Check out the ideas for things to include below (and if you have an idea of your own, you can add it to the list too!
Details, Details, Details!
They make your character come alive, so if you've more...6 points
Sample Outfits!
We want to know what your character should be wear more...3 points
A Front / Back Reference!
A MUST for striped characters and those with intri more...1 point
A Color Palette!
Picky about your fursona's color? Make sure to set more...0 points
Alternative Versions!
Multiple hairstyles? Alternative accessories? If i more...0 points
Step 6: Start Your Own Squidoo Lens!
(Okay, you can skip this step if you really want)
So what's a furry to do?
As luck would have it, you're already at the solution. Making a new Squidoo Lens all about your Fursona is a great way to consolidate everything about you and your Fursona in one place, from pictures to textual descriptions, twitter feeds to flickr archives... and if you're an artist, you can even use the lens to direct stuff back to your galleries / websites or post about your wares for sale!
If you don't already have a squidoo account, making one couldn't be easier, and you can start posting new lenses immediately! Don't worry about getting them all right the first time; you can always come back and add more, more, more!
"Want more?
Check out the
Best Furry Comics Ever!"
More Furry Lenses in Action!
More Stuff on Furries on Squidoo!
(Psst ... made a lens of your own already? Let me know and I'll add you to the list!)-
Your Ultimate Tutorial to the Furry Fandom
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Being a "Furry" means plenty of different things -- but above all else, it indicates an affinity for cartoon creatures and other anthropomorphic animals. For someone just starting out in the fandom, though, all of the possible permutations, insinuati...
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Sure, you get a "convention badge" at every convention you go to. But these are usually small, you only get to customize your name, and worse -- Except for a few conventions that have different badges for different member types, they all look the sam...
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How to Make a Lens All About Your Fursona
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Okay, so you've already gone and made a fursona! You've picked out how you want her to look, from her hair to her clothes, her personality, maybe even built a world and some friends... This is great. Now how are you going to tell me and the rest of...
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The Best Furry Comics Ever!
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They're webcomics featuring cartoon animals, animal-like characters, anthropomorphics... whatever you call 'em, we got 'em! If you're a fan of the furry fandom, you can't go wrong reading these! It's just the tip of the iceberg, but we've got summar...
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MANGA vs. FURRY: Who Has the Better Cartoons?
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Come on, Anime is nice and all -- it certainly might be helping the fortunes of both animation and comic books as we know it -- but for all intents and purposes, we're still importing a culture that most of us couldn't even hope to be a part of. Eve...
Step 7: Up to you!
Show some Love!
Let us know if we've helped you craft your perfect fursona (Heck, feel free to link to a lens featuring yours!) or tell us what steps we need to add to the process!
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Reply
- lone wolf lone wolf Dec 25, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
- this is interesting
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Reply
- jakob jakob Nov 30, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
- neat, this really got me started in the furry fandom. although im a crappy drawer im gonna try to get the high school art teacher to help me with drawing my fursona
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Reply
- Kitti Kitti Oct 27, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
- This was a great little guide, I've been working on a fursona for a while now and this gave me an extra little push in the right direction. :)
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Reply
- asfargone asfargone Sep 30, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
- you should include a format based furry editor so people can get the general idea of what they want to be. i wouldn't blame you if you don't though
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Reply
- Sitka Sitka Sep 25, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
- If I could ever find a way to upload the fursona I made at school, then I could use this. But it was helpful, thanks.
- Load More
It's All What You Make of It!
The more effort you put in, the better your Fursona will turn out. Don't just go with what's simple; put some thought into it!
Furry Books For You!
Reading Material is Always Good.
Maus : A Survivor's Tale : My Father Bleeds History/Here My Troubles Began/Boxed
Amazon Price: $19.73 (as of 01/01/2010) 
Manga Mania: Chibi and Furry Characters: How to Draw the Adorable Mini-characters and Cool Cat-girls of Japanese Comics
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 01/01/2010)
The American Journal of Anthropomorphics
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 01/01/2010)
Guess Who's Provided all This For You?
No, Really, Guess!
Lensmaster JigsawForte has been a member since March 9 2008, has rated 22 lenses, favorited 34, and has created 76 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "The Ultimate "Bejeweled Blitz" Tips and Tricks!". See all my lenses
My Bio
Georgia Tech Alum in Computer Science, and Creator of the Webcomic Last Res0rt. Updates every week!
Check out these great lenses...
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A science fiction, fantasy, cyberpunk, steampunk, punk, gaming, anime... heck, it's an anything and everything convention! If you think nerds and geeks will get together over it, they will, and it's here! From fairy wings to Star Trek, Corsets to Ki... view lens -
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Furry Merchandise from Last Res0rt!
She Made This Merch, too!
PIck up your very own Furry Zodiac Sign!
Why Wait for a Furry Convention to get Cool Stuff?
by JigsawForte
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