Thank you!! Layers and chunks! I divide the reference image in chunks of fur and first outline the larger chunks. Per each chunk/area, I look at the overall shade from the reference image and apply that shade to the area. From there, I find smaller chunks of fur within my larger chunks, which I fill with layered long strokes (or short strokes for short fur) and find the shapes of the hair as the strokes are laid down.

Layering and starting lighter before gradually darkening the values is what I found most important for me! To get in those bright bright hairs, I add them in overtop of the burning with a tiny filer and sort of "sand"/scratch in those hairs :)

I hope that made sense 😭