(Part 2) Best products from r/furry

Not a suiter (yet), but I have done a lot of research since joining the fandom.

1. When it comes to actual washing, talk to your maker. Some suits are fine in the machine. Others should never touch it. Asking your maker is the best course of action (and they should give you instructions along with your suit).
   
   Pocari Roo also has a couple good videos on washing suits and tips for care:
   
   Washing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dISoG8QbFKc&index=9&list=PLNOq1HI76lYqy53olFWJO3AqNrk8JoSoL
   
   Tips and Tricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=844att8AAMc&list=PLNOq1HI76lYqy53olFWJO3AqNrk8JoSoL
   
   The latter got me hooked on her. :-)
   
   
2. Any real mix of isoproply achohol and water is fine. It really depends on you. A stronger alcohol mix shouldn't hurt you suit at all. Yes, you can put a few drops of essential oil in it, but don't use eucalyptus! It is too strong and will eat away at your suit!
   
   
3. Any basic pet brush will do:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Millers-Forge-Stainless-Universal-Slicker/dp/B000O3NNYS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1520301859&sr=8-5&keywords=pet+brush
   
   It doesn't even have to be expensive. While doing my research, quite a few suiters recommend brushing with the opposite side to minimize tearing out fur. Basically, think about how you would use it on a dog/cat. Then brush with the softer side of the bristles. The hair will still lie flat and it won't tear out a lot of hair.
   
   
4. This one will be long, but I'll just copy and past a previous response, as people ask this often: Personally, I'm looking at A few makers:
   
   Furday Creations: https://www.furdaycreations.com/pricing/ I actually have a draw-string bag from them with my sona on it, so they seem cool
   
   Silvena: http://silvenahandmade.com/ A user on here got this suit from her: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/26180665/ and said they would try to update what they thought after a month of use. They said the only real issue they had was some clarification. The maker is Polish, so you have to ensure they fully understand what you want.
   
   Skye High Studios: http://www.skyehighstudios.com/ She is pretty active on Youtube and also does video tutorials, but she has pretty decent prices. She is Australian
   
   TreeBarkCreations: http://therabbitssoul.wixsite.com/treebarkcreations
   
   They are a little higher, but seem to do beautiful work
   
   Shengoa: https://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1101881.html They tend to pop up on Furbuy a lot. Many of their partials look like this. They are really cheap, but seem to only do canines. Ask for other species.
   
   Those are at the top of my head/list. There are a few other on FB, but I don't know there names off the top of my head. You can also peruse FurBuy and TheDealersDen. They do have a lot of pre-mades and used suits for sale, but they both have "fursuit->comissions" tabs to them. You might find a good maker that way that has cute suits and are MUCH cheaper than the big names.
   
   Keep in mind that I'm looking at lower-cost options that still make nice stuff. The makers you mentioned are huge and very well-known. The quality will be amazing, but they will be ungodly expensive and will have long wait times/waitlists. I personally prefer lesser-known makers, but to each his own. I have also bookmarked a bunch of makers on my FA page, so you can go through those of you wish:http://www.furaffinity.net/favorites/lunartwilight16/
   
   And, once again, there are a couple videos from Pocari that you may find interesting on this subject.
   
   Top 10 Fursuit Makers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnMe49UulOM&list=PLNOq1HI76lYqy53olFWJO3AqNrk8JoSoL&index=6
   
   Top 10 Fursuit Makers You've never heard of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW9DNtTcrqM&index=16&list=PLNOq1HI76lYqy53olFWJO3AqNrk8JoSoL
   
   She also made a "Maker's Database" with a ton of dieefernt makers on it. It also has things you should know before/during/after comissioning a suit: http://makersdatabase.tumblr.com/help
   
   This is also a video of hers on how to commission a suit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hJyTRnOSk4&index=4&list=PLNOq1HI76lYqy53olFWJO3AqNrk8JoSoL
   
   
5. Many suiters would recommend anything you can afford that will keep you cool. Fans are definite (unless the maker doesn't offer them), but a cooling vest could really make the difference. They are expensive as well, but if you are going to drop $3,000 on a suit, what's another $200? :-P If you are in a fullsuit, you are going to definitely want Under Armor: *Heat Gear. That sounds ridiculous, but it does actually contain the sweat and keep you cool. You don't necessarily have to get Under Armor Brand and you would have to do some research on similar brands and their effectiveness, but This is definitely the way to go if you have half suit, or full (or even sleeves). Be sure to get your suit out and try it on when you get it. Walk around your house and get a feel for it. Try doing something with it on for a while. Here, you can gauge the fit and also get a feel for your stamina and heat tolerance. Regardless of your tolerance, though, always frequent the headless lounges! They are there for your health, safety, and well-being, so use them.
   
   
6. When ordering a head, be sure to bring up issues such as glasses up-front. Any good maker should be able to enable glasses to fit under the head, but they won't know of you don't tell them. Be sure to let them know of any other physical issues you may have so they can accommodate.
   
   
7. I'm going to assume you are on the younger side. I've only been to one furry con (MFF), but I have been to a TON of anime cons and the two aren't that much different. If you are a minor, check the con rules. You may be required to have a parent/guardian with you at all times. If you are an adult, it is still a good idea to go with a friend (I say as I plan to attend Gateway FurMeet this weekend alone. :-P I'm 32, though, and a seasoned con-goer). Especially if this is your first con, period, don't go alone. It is more fun with friends, but also you can look after each other (ie. make sure you eat, sleep, and shower).
   
   If you are underage, do not attend room parties with alcohol and DO NOT DRINK! If caught, not only will you get in trouble, but the adults will, too, since they served to a minor, even if they didn't know. Follow the 6-3-1 rule (6 hrs sleep, 3 full meals (not 3 protein bars), 1 shower). It can be exciting and super overwhelming at a con, but you do have to take care of yourself.
   
   Regarding the venue, each one is different, but the vast majority seem family friendly, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Most furries are there to have a good time like you and won't start anything stupid. A few stupid things can get a con shut down (looking at you, Rainfurrest), so you shouldn't have any issues. If you do see someone suspicious, or any suspicious activity, alert the con staff.
   
   There is a certain amount of hate for furries, but that seems to be mostly reserved for online areas, which can be easily avoided. Those people feel they can be dicks because they are anonymous online, but very few will actually try to do something. It can happen, though, as MFF saw in 2014 with the gas attack. Keep in mind, though, that that was one incident at one con. How many other incidents like this have happened since the fandom started? The chances are pretty slim. Another thing to keep in mind is that these days, you could just as easily get shot at a park, school, movie theater, or any other public space (if you are in the US). Truth be told, I have never feared for my safety at a con, regardless of the subject matter.
   
   I know this was long and probably more than you wanted, but I hope it was helpful.
   
   Also, I'm clearly a huge fan of Pocari, but there are a LOT of other furry Youtubers that are also pretty informative. Fjord Frost, Stormy the Folf, and SkyHighStudios are pretty good. majora Strawberry is also pretty popular, but he's not my thing. :-/
   
   Best of luck!
   
   Edit: Disregard the numbering. They are suppose to break up the subjects, but I don't know why they keep starting over.

> im very paranoid about putting my future suit in the wash. i hear its really good for them (of course, when inside out, all tail fluff/digitigrade styrofoam taken out, and put on gentle), but i just dont trust it and i want to preserve it for as long as it can. is it better to handwash it or should i trust it and put it in the wash?

Washing your suit in some fashion is basically (or should be) required. Suits will start to retain your sweat and funk over time, and no-one wants to hug a smelly suit.

However, exactly how you wash it will vary, both depending on your preferences as well as how the suit is put together. Generally, you will want to see if your suit maker has any particular instruction/guide for washing their suits first, as they will likely know best what will and won't work well (maybe).

Machine washing is sometimes an option, but usually only on gentle settings with delicate detergent (like Woolite). Not all suits will do well, such as those with airbrushing, but it can be an option. However, NEVER expose the suit to heat - it will melt the fibers and likely ruin the look of the fur. That means NO DRYER, unless it you explicitly only use the spin cycle (no heat).

Hand washing is also a decent option and may be safer, though it is much more involved and difficult. Usually done in a bathtub, again using a delicate soap like Woolite or similar.

Drying in both cases requires laying the suit out to air dry. You must keep the whole thing supported, as water is heavy and can stretch the suit if hung up. This can take a long time, so squeeze (or spin) out as much of the water as you can beforehand.

It's also a good idea to brush the suit once it has been cleaned, to keep the fur looking good. You can use pet fur slicker brushes for this.

Finally, not all fursuit parts should (or need to) be washed. Anything with foam should not be (mostly just the head), as it will retain water and grow mold. Tails don't generally need washing unless they drag a lot. Feetpaws too, especially if they have foam.

> ive done a little bit of research and read that its good to use 75/25 water and isopropyl alcohol (with mint scent if desired) as a disinfectant, is this recommended or is there a better recommendation? (yes, i am aware about the damage lysol can do)

That should work fine. I don't recall the proportion I use (might be 50/50? Probably not, I'd need to check) but it works fine for disinfecting. Just be sure to do it in some open space, as the stuff hangs in the air and isn't great to smell.

> what kind of brushes are the best for grooming and removing mats but without removing a lot of fur? i cant find a good one online, out of the few sites ive visited, but my current candidates are this brush and a big fat maybe on this brush , but i only looked up what is best for actual pets and not for fursuits...

You'll probably want something more like this. That's actually the one I use, though backwards. Be gentle brushing, as any fur you remove will not grow back, but don't worry too much about losing a bit of fur. It happens.

> fursuit owners, whats your recommendation on a good place to... actually get a fursuit?

I don't really have specific recommendations (though I got mine here), but I would advise you to really do some research and find a few options with prices/features you want. Bear in mind that there are a lot of makers out there and they can vary a lot in style and construction. Many of the popular and well-known makers may have long queues and don't open for commissions long.

It may help to have what features you really want in mind, then find a few makers that can do it (if you aren't sure, ask! Many will answer email questions). Get a quote or two or three, then make your decision based on all the factors (waiting time, price, style, etc). Take your time as needed.

> i know it can get boiling hot in those suits, so i was thinking about purchasing some cooling packs to go along with me, such as a cooling vest, cooling scarf, maybe something for my legs and forehead, etc. and of course if they run out of coldness, i can always stop at the headless lounge or my room, but still... is this a good idea, or should i just go with the traditional in-suit fans?

No matter what you use, you WILL get hot in suit and you WILL sweat. Measures such as fans and cooling vests will help, but it's still going to be warm in there.

As far as recommendations, I'd consider some kind of underarmor - specifically the heat gear, NOT the cold stuff. You want something that will both catch the sweat and cool you off as you move. A balaclava is also recommended, even though some fursuit heads may have one built in (wear two!).

If that's not an option for some reason, plainclothes such as T-shirt and pants can work fine. DON'T suit naked, you will not like it.

Fans are nice to have in the head but not all makers include them - you may have to put one in yourself. It's important to remember that they need a flow of cooler air to work well, so unless you have an open mouth or some other opening you may not want to bother with one.

Cooling vests are nice but can cost a decent amount. They're not strictly necessary (I don't have one), but I have heard good things about them. It's maybe worth considering, but I don't have a real opinion on their effectiveness.

The most important thing is to ultimately be careful and know your limits. It gets really hot in suit, but with practice it's more than manageable. Don't be afraid of the heat, but do take it seriously! And drink plenty of water!

> i wear glasses... and that maaaaay be a problem for my fursuit. since... the nose sits so close to the wearer's nose. (i am using a cat sona for my first suit) should i get contacts, or try to fit the glasses over the character's eyes, or maybe just cut a piece of styrofoam to fit the center of the glasses?? agh, i dunno...

The maker may be able to account for this and leave room in the head for them - at least from my limited experience, many will ask about it when getting a quote. I will say that this isn't always perfect either - I did mention it when mine was being made, but it turned out to be just a hair too small to be comfortable wearing them... so I go without.

Contacts will be easier on this, obviously (though I don't like them so I don't use them). However, depending on your vision without glasses, it may not matter. Fursuit vision can be pretty limited to begin with, so the lack of glasses may or may not make so huge of a difference. That said, it might be preferable to have them.

> lastly... are furcons even safe? i know theres a TON of people who hate furries and, i hope, joke around saying theyll go and shoot up a con, or something... yes, i know to go with a friend, and to not leave after midnight.

Absolutely, and in fact they tend to be one of the only places one can really fursuit without a handler (though having one anyways is not a bad idea). In my experience, you don't really see any 'hate' at these things - you're more likely to just see people outside being a bit bemused... or curious enough to join in.

Going with a friend is a good idea, especially if you will be suiting (if you go outside of con space you will NEED a handler). You'll likely have more fun with one than you would alone anyways.

The threats about cons may happen, but people actually carrying them out are practically nonexistent. The reality is that some people will say big nasty things online that they'd never bother carrying out in person, and we get our share of that. Most people really aren't bothered by it, though, and the con organizers will likely be prepared to deal with such possibilities... if they even ever happen.

> aaaand i think that does it...! yeah, i know thats a lot, but i dont wanna make any mistakes for my first suit!

It's good that you're putting a lot of thought and preparation into this, but don't stress out too much.

The only extra thing I'll mention is to really consider how much you will get use out of a suit, as they're not something you'll just throw on anytime and wearing them at home gets old fast. You don't need a fursuit to go to a convention either (in fact, you may have an easier time without one for your first). They're not magic either - you'll feel less like you're an anthro and more like you're covered in a fuzzy carpet you can barely see out of.

But it can be a lot of fun and is a unique experience, to be sure, so don't take this as too much discouragement. Just bear in mind that a fursuit is an expensive investment, and you will probably want to get the most out of it that you can.

Good luck with your endeavors, and if you have any other specific questions I will try to answer. I'm not an expert at this so others might have better answers for you, but hopefully this helps.

Hey Greypuppy, I just made an image laying out some of your anatomy errors and ways to fix them, Imgur, they're numbered so you can look at what I'm talking about as you read. ^ ^

1.) Placement of the shoulders; to allow for a full range of movement, they're set a little lower than you have them, and the collar bone is set lower to reflect that (and is also part of what keeps our shoulders where they are, if you set your hand on your collar bone and lift your shoulders you can feel how it changes.)

2.)How the chest, armpit, and shoulder all come together; this is a common issue that most ppl fix once they realize that all those muscles connect on the shoulder. The hollow of our arm pit is formed by the muscles bending around the arm bone to reach the outside of the shoulder. The reason our pecks bulge when we pull our shoulders in is b/c those muscles are what's doing the pulling.

3.) The s-curve of the spine; Unless you're forcing the spine flat, the spine has a natural curve from the tail-bone to the base of the skull, this don't just effect the side-view, but also how the pelvis and rib-cage position themselves. The best way I could depict the way they tilt if with the two pink cups in the drawing. I exaggerated the tilt of the hips in the example drawing, but it still gives you a good idea what they're doing, all the same.

4.) The muscles on the top of the legs; just as we have the bulges of muscles on our butt and back of the leg to pull our leg back, we also have muscle running from our pelvis to our knee that helps us lift our leg. Even if you're not very beefy, you can still see part of that curve on the top of the leg, think of it as however bold the under-leg curve line is, the top one is at least half as bold a curve line.

5.) The muscles and tendons meeting behind the knee; you're drawing wouldn't bee far off the mark on a character with a heavyer build, but with someone so skinny, the hollow behind the knee would be more apparent. This is because behind the knee there's a hollow where the muscles have pulled to either side so they can attach to the kneecap. Sometimes there is a sort of square lump that lines up with the kneecap itself (forgot to draw that version, sorry, ^ ^ ' ) but for a skinny person, usually it just dips in right behind the knee as appose to a little below it as you've drawn.

6.)Where the thumb connects; not a big issue here, more just that there's another link to the thumb, and the flesh attached half-way across the palm. Went ahead and gave you a clear drawing of the hand bulges and pads, I find it helps for the placement paw-pads.


Whew
Hope that wasn't too overwhelming, I figured I would tackle this critique with all I could think of since I'm thinking of writing a 'how-to' book on drawing figures at some point.

There's some minor issues with knee to ankle to paw placement, but since I didn't know how exactly to explain it, I couldn't add it to the drawing.

And if you ever want to really get a good feel for anatomy, the book I would recommend is Classic Human Anatomy. It's full of good drawings and a lot of technical anatomy stuff (which was a little daunting when I first looked through it,) but it's really helped me to understand not just how things look, but also why, which is great when you're having to make images in weird poses from scratch.

TL:DR - Just go look at the pretty picture, Imgur

Alright kid, if you really want to cook - and I believe you do - you're gonna need to know how to kick ass in the social media world. Sorry to say it, but that's what it's gonna take.


My recommendation? Check out Social Media for Writers. I bought this thing about a month or so ago and ooh boy was it handy. Not only does it go over some general guidelines, but it also takes a look into SEO, Content Marketing, and all the major players out there: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Wordpress, you name it. It'll be a valuable reference trust me. You don't have to do everything in there, but it'll give ya some guidelines on how to get your name out there.


Now you might be thinking "Jeez, I said I wanted to advertise, not get famous on Social Media!" Well, SocMedia is big this day and age, and to try to get yourself noticed and not even have an active twitter feed or Facebook Page is kinda silly. Not to mention it can work as free advertisement for you - and you don't even have to take out any ads!


This is also on a bit of a tangent, but if you want some kick-ass tools to help with your book check out The Breakout Novelist by Donald Maas. Maas is a publisher over in yon New York, and Breakout Novelist collects some of his best advice from previously published works. I'm not even halfway through the book yet and hot damn have I learned some neat things. Trust me, this little desk reference will give you some pointers to make your book stand out even more, regardless of genre. The other great thing about Maas is he's more focused on helping writers who want to tell their stories and BE writers rather than Fame-Seekers, so this is more than just a book that tells you how to do the bare minimum.


Good luck and godspeed! Let me know how it turns out - I'm always looking for some new furry writers to get to know - being a writer myself.

You don't have to totally indulge in the fandom to do something nice for him. In general, if you want something to wear to show your support, I see a lot of non-furs wearing these hats: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ZZ1F7M/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 . There is normally one for every species of animal. Also, know that not all furs have fursuits, as most of us can't shell out that kind of money. I think you still have the right to respectfully stay out of range with the fandom but still be nice to him and show support. If you see a convention, go to it. You'll have a load of fun, and it will make him feel good that you are going with him. Plus, when most people wear fursuits, they need a handler, meaning someone to act as a guard or helper. When you go to disney, you never see a costumed character without another cast member there to help if the character needs to make a quit exit to get water, or if kids are pulling on fur. That's another way you can help out. And, if he's like one of the many furs I know, including myself, he might want to bring the fandom into romantic life. How far he is willing to take it? I wouldn't know. It can go from minor role playing, to sex with the suit on. That would be the ultimate commitment, but keep in mind that not all furs like that. Basically, you don't have to become a fur to show your love for him, just don't turn him away and be open. You really do need to go to a convention with him though. It's a eye opening experience. If you have any more questions, ask away. :3

Nice post, and is quite refreshing to see. I think my thoughts align a lot with yours. I don't necessarily consider myself a furry, but drawing animal characters is damn fun, and a nostalgic trip into my childhood. I love stretching the imagination. I'm personally gravitated to the likes of Glen Keane's designs in my art, but I kind of grab inspiration from all the major western studios.

Some books I've been recommended and would recommend to anyone are:

• Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair: http://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Animation-Collectors-Series-Preston/dp/1560100842
  
• Perspective Made Easy by Ernest Norling: http://www.amazon.com/Perspective-Made-Easy-Ernest-Norling/dp/9563100166
  
  I've also been getting my art slammed at conceptart.org for awhile in the critique section, and must say it's a gut wrenching, addicting, yet amazing experience. The books I listed above were actually recommended to me from that site. No matter how good you think you are....something will be wrong with your piece...sometimes catastrophically. You can ALWAYS improve. You gotta take punches in order to toughen up.
  
  I enjoy Proko's youtube channel, but here are some other possibly useful ones:
  
  
• Sycra: https://www.youtube.com/user/Sycra
  
• Will Terrell: https://www.youtube.com/user/willterrell2001
  
• Draw With Jazza: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrawWithJazza

I too like books with anthro characters, but there is a lack of quality in what is available. Here is a short list of posted in an earlier thread:

I would recommend looking at the reviews on flayrah. Personally, I have not found much in the way of quality furry literature, but I have read a few.

The Sacred Book of The Werewolf by Victor Pelevin. There are two kinds of furry books: those writen by furries and those that are writen by non-furries. This is one of the latter. I do not have the time to give a full review, but if you like werewolves, kitsune, eastern philosophies, Russian culture (or at least curious about it) eastern and russian folklore, and supernatural romances, you might just like (I did). Furriness - 6, Quality - 10 [I want to add that this book has very mature scenes]

Ringworld by Larry Niven. This usually shows up somewhere on the top 100 sci fi novels. However, this is another book not written by a furry, and it shows since only one character could be classified as "furry". Furriness - 4, Quality - 10

Rise of the Wolf by Curtis Jobling. I have not read much of this so far, but from what I have seen it is high fantasy. So far, I have not been impressed with the writing, which is why I haven't finished it. Furriness >5, Quality <6

In Wilder Lands by Jim Galford. Another high fantasy novel, but this one was much better written. I will be buying the sequel when comes out, for whatever it is worth. It does have a few problems, namely that many characters and the world need to be fleshed out more. Furriness - 9, Quality - 7.

Spice and Wolf by Isuna Hasekura. Yes, I know it is not exactly furry, but OP may still like it. One of the main character is a wolf "god" who takes the form a young woman, and the other is a traveling merchant. The setting is largely inspired by post dark ages Europe and is not overwhelmed with fantasy brickabrack. Furriness - 2, Quality - 8

I am going to pick up Red Sails in the Fallout tomorrow for my kindle, since the sample is holding my interest. I might also pick up Argo and Ten Thousand Miles Up. These last two books are short stories not novels.

Edit: misspelled book

(copy/paste from another one of my posts, it's all useful stuff though :3)

Here are a few sites that I have found useful in developing as a furry artist:

1. Some of the very basics of setting up your tablet to be most effective
   
   
2. Great for beginning digital artists
   
   
3. A pose generator, great for practicing anatomy. Practice these and your drawings will look less stiff and more dynamic
   
   
4. More figure drawing practice
   
   
5. Animal Drawing Practice
   
   
6. A youtube channel with a ton of useful tips and techniques for drawing figures
   
   
7. Hands/Clawed hands, More Hands, Even More Hands!
   
   
8. A Book focused solely on drawing furry art, and another. and another, and yet another
   
   
   Becoming thoroughly familiar human and animal anatomy and being able to draw them well will bring you 90% of the way to where you need to be to draw good furry art and the rest is putting them together through lots and lots of practice. Good luck!
   
   edit: Almost forgot! I would love to see some of your art :D

It's a novel set in a fantasy universe, adventures & romance between an elf and a real buff bird guy. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Hand-Flight-Fancy-Three-ebook/dp/B07WCR1365/ref=sr_1_9?crid=38KVKYT2HR0TU&keywords=a+bird+in+the+hand&qid=1567691724&s=books&sprefix=a+bird+in+the+hand%2Caps%2C149&sr=1-9

They're actually writing another with a different pairing that will be up soon about werewolves! I'm just really happy to be helping them make the covers. Here's a link to art I've made on what the bird man looks like: https://www.deviantart.com/peachjester/art/Asp-Aarakocra-Ranger-800338489

James Gurney's books are great. There's a couple ugly links for you.
http://www.amazon.com/Color-Light-Guide-Realist-Painter/dp/0740797719

http://www.amazon.com/Imaginative-Realism-Paint-Doesnt-Exist/dp/0740785508/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=010WGMHA6E5MNR6W03RW

Following artists on facebook has helped me more than anything. Well not more than putting in the time and effort to improve of course. Anyway, professionals are always posting advice and links to valuable resources. Its worth looking for artists that you like and seeing what their process is and how they solve artistic problems.

Yeah I wish I could find more of this tbh. I've got Peter Hogarth's 1979 book on order: https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Peter-Hogarth-Val-Clery/dp/B002MS32KI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549489990&sr=8-1&keywords=peter+hogarth+dragons

The D&D Art and Arcana book that came out last fall is wonderful, it covers all eras of D&D art.

https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Art-Arcana-History/dp/0399580948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549490028&sr=8-1&keywords=dungeons+and+dragons+art+and+arcana

But it's really cool sometimes to revisit a time before the Pern stuff, before Spyro, Toothless, Temeraire etc. when there was just Tolkien, early D&D, the psychedelic era and so on. If you know of more references let me know, it's an aesthetic I can't get enough of.

I bought this tablet for $55 CAD and it is excellent, i was quite surprised by the quality based off the price tag.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07DQK7H15/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I hope this helps!

My recommendation would be: Exile's Return

Rick Griffin has also done a short or two.

If you want to go old school, Sholan Alliance series is a good choice

For free stuff, I would check out Sunset of Furmankind by Ted R. Blasingame If you dont mind simpler writing Blue Horizon is also worth a look at.

I could look though my physical books and likely come up with a few more, but there isn't a whole lot of scifi.

Edit: A few more:
Otters in space, it is a bit better then the title suggest.

John Van Stry used to write stuff. Not to fond of his current model, and hes not really targeting furs anymore.

On a little different note, its worth mentioning the deathless series when talking about Audio Books. Its not really targeted at furries, but its a post-apocalyptic tongue in cheek scifi/horror that starts out with "No such thing as werewolves"

I may read to much.

If you want to put a lot of significance into your 'sona, maybe go pick up a book similar to this one- I think it's the same one I used a long time ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Speak-Spiritual-Magical-Powers-Creatures/dp/0875420281

these kind of books go really in-depth about what characteristics are attributed to a given species, and you can use that to either pick one that matches your current personality, OR go for an animal with lots of qualities that you don't have, but want to develop.

As others said, you don't need to have just one or stay with the same 'sona forever. Whatever suits you. I've had about half a dozen fursonas over the last fifteen years.

And if you mostly are into it for the drawing, it's ok to just pick something you WANT to draw! Don't be a gryphon centaur with 3 sets of wings and 5 tails if that is going to be too frustrating to recreate on paper.

Have fun!

Is this your first tablet? If so, a Wacom Intuos is always a great safe place to start for any artist. I've personally been using Wacom for years and have nothing but good things to say about them. They're sturdy tablets and if you have access to US Prime, their normally 80$ tablet is on sale for like 50$ right now and includes a license for CSP.

https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Drawing-Software-Included-CTL4100/dp/B079HL9YSF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=wacom+intuos&qid=1575054597&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRjZEUVlGU1NVTjFDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODc3Nzg2MVdYQ0RCU0NTMEtNTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTU0MjA5UDQwN0VaUzQxMVdKJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Since everyone is asking, these are what I found on Amazon since it’s generally accepted that Wish is a lil on the shady side:

Casual Cotton Socks Cat Paw Style Ankle Socks for Women Girls 5 pairs (Cat Paw) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DK97DFV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IPgtDbKEP0P96

• “Critter Costuming,” by Adam Riggs.
  
• “Mordrude's Monster Manual,” by Sarah Wilson.
  
  Unfortunately, neither of those two books fit your description, perfectly.

Thank you. The biggest help for me has been Color and Light by James Gurney

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Light-Realist-Painter-Gurney/dp/0740797719

For the tech aspects of how to use photoshop, I used ctrlpaint.com

To learn to draw, I used https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtFundamentals/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0728LBRDZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here ya go! Pawstars have tails, ears gloves and all sorts of good quality stuff for decent prices!

Amazon link for Children of Steel. The eBook is $5.99 / £4.59 (but free for those with Kindle Unlimited) and a Paperback version is around $12.99 / £9.99.

Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits by Adam Riggs (Nicodemus)

I just bought a copy (shipping now) and it looks good. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

There's a book.

Here is the mobile version of your link