Here's what they do on Procyon with all that down that is left on the brush after grooming, especially in spring: they collect it and felt it into blankets. Of course, it takes many seasons or many people to get enough down for a blanket, but they are patient. Such "own wool" blankets are prized in many Houses that are fluffy enough to produce sufficient quantities of it; they are very warm and fairly waterproof. ("Fairly" meaning that you could stay dry under it in a rain or lay it on wet ground. If you fall into a river in it, it will eventually get soaked.) Notice how the blanket is subtly different in color from her pelt: it's because the felt is mostly underpelt and awn, which are lighter than the conspicuous guard hairs that darken the fur. This started as a little toy idea and turned out as an exercise in very limited color. (Which I do seldom, preferring strong colors, so it should be a valuable one. Maybe.) As a result, I apologize if you don't see it right; I have checked it on uncalibrated monitors and they often throw the delicate grays off. On a calibrated monitor, you ought to see the blanket as flattish cooler gray, and the Procyonian's body in warmer grays and subtle ochres; the coolest hues are olive in some places.

2005
Digital painting

Look at preliminary sketches to this picture here and here