How To Draw Lions
Drawing a lion can be a great way to capture the power and majesty of these incredible animals. While it may seem daunting at first, drawing one of these animals is actually quite easy when broken down into steps. Here’s how to draw a lion in just a few easy steps.
First, you’ll need to gather the essentials – a pencil, paper, and an eraser. Start off by sketching the basic outline of the lion’s body, using simple curved lines to form the head, neck, legs and muzzle. Next, draw the lion’s chest, tail and mane – you can make the mane more detailed than the rest of the body if desired.
Once you’ve got the outline complete, it’s time to start adding details. Start by adding two small triangles for the lion’s ears, followed by two circles for the eyes. Draw two small oval-shaped nostrils at the tip of the muzzle, then give the lion a nose by drawing a “V” shape. Finally, add the whiskers by drawing half circles from the nose to each side, and give the lion a wide mouth by drawing a backward “C” in the middle of its muzzle.
Next, the fur! Drawing fur on the lion’s mane is one of the most challenging parts. Start by drawing curtain-like shapes along the length of the mane, and make them thicker for a more realistic look. Then, spread out a few lines on each curve for the fur texture, and keep going until the mane (and the whole body) looks furry enough.
For the lion’s claws, draw two ovals onto each paw and then add small lines around them to give the claws some detail. Finally, give the lion a realistic look by adding shadows and color. Draw shadows in areas where the lion’s fur is deeper and more pronounced, then use some light and dark shades to make the lion glow – we recommend a golden hue for the mane and a lighter, tan color for its fur.
Now that you know the basics of how to draw lions, it’s time to work on the more intricate details. Start by drawing patterns on the mane and using different brush strokes to make the fur look more intricate and unique. Then, practice adding definition to the lion’s features – make its eyes look intense and its claws sharp. With these few simple steps, you should have everything you need to draw an amazing lion!
Making the Lion Dynamic
Once you’ve got the basics of a lion down, it’s time to make it more dynamic and alive. Start by angling its body slightly, such as by making the legs slightly bent and its eyes focused ahead. You can even make its body appear as if its in motion by including direction lines on its mane, tail and legs.
Next, use movement lines and details to make the lion look more majestic and powerful. Start with a two-toned color scheme – choose two complimentary colors, such as orange and yellow, and use these colors to suggest motion. To make the mane more dynamic, draw a few fly-aways in different directions, and use quick and angular lines to make the fur look more alive.
Finally, the shadows! These can make an incredible difference to the dynamic look of the lion. Start by sketching the shadows using delicate lines and soft colors, then use a harder pencil or pen to go over the scribbles and make them appear more solid. You can even use a blend of colors for a more realistic look, such as yellow and orange for the fur and gray for the shadows.
Making the Lion Three-Dimensional
Making a lion three-dimensional is a great way to make it look even more realistic. Start by sketching the basic outlines of the mane and the body using curved lines. Then, draw the lion’s nose and whiskers by sketching the outside of each feature and the inside, making sure that it looks 3D.
Next, work on adding detail to the lion’s body and mane. Start by drawing two small circles for its eyes, then draw a “V” shape on either side of the eyes for the eyebrows. For the fur, draw braids, swirls and stripes, and use short and light strokes to give the fur texture.
When adding color to the lion, use the same colors that were used to draw the outlines – this will make the effects of light and shadow stand out, making them look three-dimensional. Finally, use light and dark shades for the fur, and make sure that the colors blend smoothly as you go.
Polishing the Lion
Finally, it’s time to make the lion really stand out. Start by drawing highlights and shadows around each detail, then draw thin lines on the lion’s mane to give the fur movement and life. Take the time to study the lion and make sure that the fur is realistic looking – you don’t want it to look too perfect, as this will make it look stiff and unnatural.
Next, add some final details, such as a few tufts on the lion’s mane and some freckles on its muzzle and cheeks. Finally, use your eraser to get rid of any mistakes, and try to neaten up the fur if it looks messy.
Putting It All Together
Drawing a lion is all about details and making it look natural. Start by sketching the basic shape of the lion’s body, then add simple details such as eyes, nostrils and whiskers. As time goes on, start adding more intricate details such as fur and claws, and draw highlights and shadows around each feature.
When studying a lion, take the time to observe its movements and look at the way its fur moves. Make sure that the fur looks realistic and that there aren’t any obvious mistakes in the piece. Finally, use light and dark shades to make the lion look three-dimensional and draw tufts and highlights to make it stand out. With a bit of practice and patience, you should be able to draw a stunning lion!
