Long and Short Stitches
Needlepainting with Long and Short Stitches can be used to create fur, feathers, bricks, and so much more. You use long and short stitches anywhere you need a blending of color. There are great reference materials just for this technique such as Long and Short Stitch Embroidery (1929). Here is a very simple diagram of needlepainting. When done with thread it has a much more dramatic effect!