yes i didn't work directly on the image, look this is how i made it:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AyoFb3RmRBQ/U6Mxtkagk_I/AAAAAAAAHDA/i9GGPQZ7PEM/s1366/howtofox.jpg
1) i got the pic and positioned on the wall just what i wanted to drew.
2) made a new layer and made smudges of dull colors that i picked from the original image. then i hid the image for
further reference on shadown and the eyes.
final result: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gi2xbyBHl3k/U6Myf-zeArI/AAAAAAAAHDI/Lpi7ErNfEcM/s1366/foxpeek_0.0.jpg
3) working on the first base layer i added filter > noise and then used the smudge tool to make the fur flow
final result: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NjclrcNvTDg/U6MymOqQm0I/AAAAAAAAHDU/T4KpIy4mrd8/s1366/foxpeek_0.1.jpg
4) used the burn tool and dodge tool to add some more shadows and lights
5) duplicated the layer and added filter > artispic > poster edges, then i used a direct light blending
final result: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8UyR1vFhAKs/U6MymYC1Z4I/AAAAAAAAHDY/7dlB_sMT7h0/s1366/foxpeek_0.2.jpg
6) duplicated the layer above and changed the blending to indirect light getting the final color scheme you see there
(so i have 3 layers of fur)
final result: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aPROs3LMEFU/U6MyoGf_MbI/AAAAAAAAHDg/Km8AQnkQ-Ps/s1366/foxpeek_0.3.jpg
7) made a black shape (that's what i was calling vectoring not sure if painting would be the right therm then) to
make the outlines of the eyes, aplied a gradient with black and dark gray then i blurred the edges (maybe why you
didn't consider it vector?)
8) the iris was the hardest part, i made a oval shape and added a gradient to make the inner change of colors, then
added some lighter lines to add a small light effect, used chanfer to try to make the light and shade of the eyes, then
i added another black shape to make the feline iris and also blurred it slightly.
9) put everything together ans saved the image.
final result: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CRONMNJLQog/U5950cYRYqI/AAAAAAAAHCo/HH02am2ypsM/s1366/foxpeek.jpg
i am just trying to learn how to use photoshop for future projects though i have nothing planned after this. ^^ just
trying to learn new things i never tried to make fur before.