How do you add value and texture to your drawings of animals?

I like to draw animals like cats or dogs or something, but I'm not sure how to add texture to them without it looking stupid. It looks stupid to shade them without adding texture because it looks like they are made out of plastic or something. How would you add texture and value so it looks realistic? How do you add value and texture to your drawings of animals?
shade them with lines that go in the direction that the fur would grow (uneven hatching)


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http://drawsketch.about.com/od/learntodr鈥?/a>How do you add value and texture to your drawings of animals?
you really have to pay attention to how thick or thin you draw the lines. shading helps to make the peice look 3D...but you have to have a point of light. if you are using a pencil then i found if you do the shading first then erase where is needed, you gain the control of the picture.


sorry if this doesn't really help you out, acrylic is my medum.


And remember practice makes an artist, never give up!