The king of the jungle and African plains, the noble lion is ane of the most fearsome creatures to roam the globe. Although deadly, these large cats are beautiful and remind many of their less ferocious household companions. Today, nosotros take on the mighty king of beasts by making the procedure of how to describe a panthera leo easy for artists of any level. We accept you through a step-by-step process to assistance you create a realistic lion sketch.

How to Draw a Lion Easy Stride-by-Stride Tutorial

The near mutual question people ask about how to draw a king of beasts is quite just, where to start? With then many elements then much item, it can be overwhelming to put pen to newspaper. We make answering this question very uncomplicated. All of our drawing tutorials begin with the use of construction shapes and lines. Using basic lines and shapes to lay downwardly the general shape of your drawing before yous begin adding intricate details helps you lot save time and effort. In the collage beneath, you lot can see an outline of all the steps in this panthera leo drawing tutorial.

The second almost common question nosotros go is what medium is best for the tutorial. Our answer to this question is only every bit straightforward; whatever medium you experience near comfortable using.

We have designed this tutorial to exist attainable for anybody, and so whether you prefer to utilise coloring pens, acrylic pigment, or a drawing tablet, we have y'all covered.

Step 1: Creating the Shape of the Master Body

To begin your lion cartoon, create a large and elongated oval shape that lies horizontally on your canvas. Our superlative tip for this showtime step of your lion drawing is to place the master body oval in the very heart of your canvas.

You also want to make sure that there is enough of space on all sides of the main trunk where you are going to describe the limbs and caput.

Stride 2: Starting the Lion Caput Drawing

Over again, we are going to utilise an elongated oval shape to construct the shape of your lion'south caput. The head structure oval should exist significantly smaller than the chief torso 1.

You want the head oval to be almost vertical but slightly tilted to the left.

Step 3: Planning the King of beasts's Tail

To create the bones shape of the tail in your panthera leo sketch, draw a curved shape that begins on the elevation of the main trunk oval.

Footstep 4: Shaping the Back Legs

Our lion appears to usa as if side-on, so the ii legs (one front and one back) that are on the other side of the lion volition exist partially obstructed. This difference in perspective is why construction lines tin can be and then useful. Begin past cartoon the upper thigh of the lion'south leg that is closest to us. Ane end of the curvy line should begin at the bottom stop of the tail. Below this thigh, describe the lower part of the leg facing slightly forward, and and so add an uneven oval to represent the foot.

For the second back leg, but repeat these steps, but call back to keep the back half of the leg obstructed behind the other.

Step v: Constructing the King of beasts'south Front Legs

If you look at the image below, you volition meet that the front legs of the king of beasts are very dissimilar in shape from the back ones. Begin by drawing the leg closest to yous, drawing two slightly curved lines that extend forwards. Add together a separation line just above the bottom of the leg and then add an uneven oval to represent the hand of your panthera leo sketch.

For the second leg, repeat this procedure merely this i should extent straight down, and it should be partially obstructed past the other front leg.

Step 6: Constructing the Details of the Lion Head Cartoon

In this footstep, y'all are going to use 4 lines to provide a base construction for the facial details. These lines volition help yous when yous want to know how to draw a lion confront. Begin with a big vertical line that runs through the center of the panthera leo caput drawing and curves toward the front of the canvas. Next, draw three horizontal lines that curve towards the lesser of the canvas.

The two bottom lines which volition help you place the nose and oral cavity should be closer together nigh the bottom of the head oval.

Pace 7: Outlining the Shape of the Ears

This pace is very easy and quick. All yous need to do is place an incomplete oval shape on either side of the head oval shape.

These two ears should sit above the top face up construction line.

Stride eight: Shaping the Panthera leo's Mane

The lion'due south mane is very luscious and detailed. In this step, we are but going to create the outline of the mane with a single line.

Depict the mane shape effectually the head, flowing down towards the floor and covering a meaning part of the forelegs and primary trunk oval.

Step nine: Creating the Final Outline of Your Lion Sketch

Now that you have drawn all of your construction lines, information technology is fourth dimension to put them to use to create the terminal outline of your panthera leo cartoon. Brainstorm by outlining the ears and using the face construction lines to place the features. On the top horizontal line, fatigued eye on either side of the vertical line. On the middle horizontal line, draw the nose with the center running downward the vertical construction line. On the bottom horizontal construction line, describe the mouth. Finish the facial details by using short strokes to shape the outline of the lion's face and mentum.

Every bit you move down the trunk, do non outline the mane shape as nosotros will do this in the next step. You also practise not want to outline annihilation within the mane shape, beginning your body outlines after it ends.

Curve the king of beasts's back downwardly then upwardly to join the tail outline. You can outline the rest of the body by sticking fairly closely to the construction lines. When you get to the legs, use small curved lines to create the toes of your lion sketch, and add a minor nail to each toe.

Step x: Shaping the Panthera leo'southward Mane

In this stride, you are going to use the mane construction shape to help you create the final outline. When outlining the lion'southward mane, you want to use short wavey strokes to create the impression of fur. Towards the bottom, y'all want to bring the mane to lilliputian points, that resemble flames. You want all of the lines to flow in the same downward management. Add additional lines and layers of fur within the broader mane shape.

When you have completed this pace and you are happy with your mane, you lot tin can erase any of the structure lines that are nevertheless visible.

Step 11: Calculation Textural Detail to Your Lion Sketch

Now comes the exciting step in our "depict a lion" tutorial. In this pace, you are going to use a range of short and long lines to create fur texture throughout the panthera leo's body. Begin past giving texture to the mane past using long flowing lines. Yous want to brand certain that all of your lines follow the curve of the mane shape. On the confront, use a combination of dots and curt lines to add texture around the mouth, olfactory organ, eyes, and ears. While you are here, add together some contouring to the face up shape to arrive more three-dimensional.

As you lot movement onto the body, utilise short strokes to profile the legs, the belly, and the rear stop of the panthera leo'southward torso.

Step 12: Adding the Get-go Coat of Color

In lodge to create a realistic coloring in your lion cartoon, you are going to need to build up the color in diverse layers. To begin with, use a low-cal chocolate-brown or tan shade to color the entire body of the lion.

Whichever medium you lot are using, make sure that you create a smooth and fifty-fifty coat without any big blotches.

Pace xiii: Creating Dimension with Shading and Highlights

Now yous are going to breathe some life into your lion sketch by adding some highlights and shadows. Begin by creating the shading with a touch of black and a soft brush. Use this black color to shade the frame of the king of beasts, including the upper back, tail, abdomen, and between all the legs.

For all your shadows, go gently with the blackness and try to alloy it out as smoothly as possible. You can always add more shading simply it is incommunicable to accept it abroad once it is on.

Add together some shading to the facial structure, around the nose, on the brow, inside the ears, the nostrils, and inside the lower lip. To stop this step, use a touch of white paint to create highlight points throughout the body. Focus the white on the lower half of the lion's confront, just below the eyes, on the front of the back legs, and dabbled throughout the body.

Step 14: Painting Details in the Mane

The base of operations color for the lion's mane is a deep chocolate brown shade. Utilise this shade to make full the shape of the mane and to color the tip of the tail.

Step 15: Adding the Final Touches of Highlight

Now that we have the base of operations color of the king of beasts's mane, it is time to flesh it out with some highlights. Using a small soft brush and a light shade of biscuit, add together a fade to the lion'due south mane. Beginning at the outer border of the mane, add together more of the calorie-free brown highlight every bit you go closer towards the king of beasts's confront. Cease the mane highlights by adding a touch of gray to the mane only beneath the chin.

You can at present repeat this highlighting procedure on the small fluffy cease of the lion'southward tail.

Step 15: Finishing Your Lion Drawing

Y'all take well-nigh completed your lion drawing, and we take come to the concluding step. This footstep is optional, simply providing a more than seamless finished piece. You tin accomplish this by erasing the outlines of your lion sketch. If you are using a drawing tablet, this is very easy for you. If you are using a concrete medium, merely use the corresponding shade at each point to trace over it.

If y'all came into this tutorial wanting to know how to describe a lion, nosotros hope to have answered this for you. You now know how to depict a lion confront and torso the easy way and how to create realistic coloring. Hopefully you have enjoyed this lion drawing tutorial, and y'all feel more confident creating realistic lion drawings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will This Tutorial Show me How to Draw a Panthera leo Face?

Absolutely! In our how to draw a king of beasts easy step-by-step tutorial, nosotros evidence you how to construct all parts of the lion'southward body including the face and body.

Is It Hard to Draw a Lion?

When you first look at the lion, information technology may seem challenging to depict. When you pause it down and employ construction lines, still, it is really very like shooting fish in a barrel to create a realistic lion drawing.