In this tutorial, we will go through the steps of drawing a portrait of a noble male lion.
Want to give it a go?
Then putThe Lion Kingsoundtrack on speaker and grab your drawing suppliesit’s time to draw a lion!
Photo:Stock Photosfrom ArtMediaFactory/Shutterstock
You’ll want to see to it that you have agood view of its featureswith no obstructions (e.g.
people, other animals, foliage).
Therefore, before you dive in drawing, consider placing at-shaped guidelinemade of one vertical and one horizontal line.
Photo:Stock Photosfrom 2020 Photography/Shutterstock
Once the lines are in place, you cansketch a squareat the centerthis will be the lion’s head.
At the bottom of the square,add a protruding half-trapezoid shapefor the lion’s snout.
Next, we’llsketch the mane.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
Depending on the age and size of your lion, the mane can look any number of ways.
However, for this tutorial, we’ll be drawing a luxurious layered mane.
Wrap a second layer around the first if you want to draw a thick mane.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
Remember to round the mane over the lion’s head and ears so it puffs up at the top.
If you want your lion’s face to be perfectly symmetrical, this can be a time-consuming step.
Otherwise, just use your best judgment to draw a small circle on either side of the vertical line.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
Attach two triangles to either circle so that it makes an upturned, almond-shaped eye.
Next, add lines on the inside of either eye to indicate the bridge of the nose.
At the bottom of the squarewhere it meets the beginning of the trapezoid shapeadd the lion’s nose.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
This should be a triangle shape with two pronounced oval nostrils.
Afterward, it’s time tocarve out the snoutfrom the trapezoid.
To do this, draw a short vertical line descending from the base of the nose.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
Then, split the line in both directions to create the mouth.
Use these lines as an anchor to round the snout upwards.
Lastly, it’s possible for you to define the chin as a soft rectangular shape.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
once you nail a bit of distance, go ahead and make any adjustments that you think are needed.
Step 5: Add texture to the drawing
What is a lion without his mane?
Take some time at this stage to flesh out your mane sketch with moretextured lines.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
You canmake an easy borderby sketching a crescent shape at the top and bottom of your lion.
Crown these rounded shapes with fine lines that fan out on either end.
If you want to enhance the illustration with ink, go ahead andcontinue to Step 7. you’re free to create interestingline variationin your illustration by using an array of different pen nibs.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
Once youve gone along all of the graphite lines, consideradding textureto the lion’s thick mane.
Finally, once youve given the ink ample time to dry, erase any remaining pencil lines.
You now have a magnificent portrait of a lion.
Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
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Art: Margherita Cole | My Modern Met
