How to Draw a Lion

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Learn how to draw a great looking Lion with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.

By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a beautiful Lion.

Jump to the step-by-step instructions.

Complete Lion drawing
Complete Lion drawing

The African lion (Panthera leo) is known for being a majestic animal, often called King of the Jungle. Lions are very large in size, reaching lengths of nearly ten feet and weighing as much as 420 pounds.

Cartoon movies such as Kimba, the White Lion (1966) and Disney's The Lion King (1994) have made drawings of maned lions quite popular.

Would you like to draw your very own cartoon lion? Now you can, by following this simple, step-by-step drawing tutorial.

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

All you will need is a piece of paper and something with which to draw, such as a pen, pencil or marker. You may want to use an eraser along with your pencil to correct any mistakes.

If you wish to color your finished drawing using crayons, colored pencils, or markers, feel free to do so.

In each step of this drawing guide, new lines made in that step are highlighted in blue. Lines drawn in previous steps are shown in black.

You will be erasing some of your early lines, called guide lines, as you go along.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Tiger Face, Wolf, and Cartoon Tiger.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Lion

How to Draw a Lion Featured image

How to Draw a Great Looking Lion for Kids, Beginners, and Adults - Step 1

How to draw a Lion Step: 1

Begin by drawing a small circle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 2

How to draw a Lion Step: 2

Extend a slightly curved, rectangular shape from the circle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 3

How to draw a Lion Step: 3

Use a series of curved lines to outline the detail of the lion's snout, nose, and mouth within the rectangle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 4

How to draw a Lion Step: 4

Erase the guide lines formed by the rectangle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 5

How to draw a Lion Step: 5

Draw two small, curved lines within the circle to form the ear. Each of the lines will form a nearly enclosed, irregular shape.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 6

How to draw a Lion Step: 6

Draw a series of curved lines below the ear, meeting in jagged points. This will begin to form the lion's mane. Beneath the jagged mane, draw a curving, loosely "S" shaped line.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 7

How to draw a Lion Step: 7

Draw the mane extending above the ear using curved lines of various lengths that connect in jagged points.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 8

How to draw a Lion Step: 8

Enclose the shape of the mane by extending a series of curved lines from the top portion of the mane to the bottom portion. Allow the lines to overlap and meet in jagged points.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 9

How to draw a Lion Step: 9

Erase the guide lines formed by the original circle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 10

How to draw a Lion Step: 10

Draw a circle overlapping the mane. Draw a second circle to the right of the first circle.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 11

How to draw a Lion Step: 11

Connect the top of the circles using a single curved line. Connect the bottom of the circles using a series of curved lines that meet in jagged points.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 12

How to draw a Lion Step: 12

Erase the guide lines formed by the circles.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 13

How to draw a Lion Step: 13

Draw a curved line extending from below the mane. Parallel to this line, draw a series of curved lines that meet in jagged points. Draw a third, similar line behind the second.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 14

How to draw a Lion Step: 14

To draw the back legs, begin by extending an "S" shaped line from the stomach area. From the right of the figure, extend a series of curved lines in an "S" shape, and allow the lines to overlap and meet in jagged points. Extend two more roughly parallel, loosely "S" shaped lines diagonally from the rear of the figure.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 15

How to draw a Lion Step: 15

Draw a foot at the end of each set of leg lines. To enclose the foot, draw one or two curved lines at the end of each set of lines. For the near feet, allow the curved lines to meet in two "U" shapes, forming toes.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 16

How to draw a Lion Step: 16

Draw the tail using two long, "U" shaped curved lines.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 17

How to draw a Lion Step: 17

Erase the guide lines from the legs.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 18

How to draw a Lion Step: 18

Add detail to the face. Draw a "U" shaped line to form the eye, and shade the pupil. Draw a curved line above the eye and use another for the nose. Draw several dots above the mouth and extend nearly straight lines to form whiskers.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 19

How to draw a Lion Step: 19

Use a series of curved lines, meeting in a sharp point, to draw the tuft of fur at the tip of the tail. Draw curved lines meeting in jagged points to add detail to the mane and shoulder.

Easy Lion Drawing - Step 20

How to draw a Lion Step: 20

Color your lion. Most lions are sandy or tan in color, but some are white or cream. Mane colors range from brown to blonde to red.

For more great Safari Animals drawing tutorials, see the 31 Cute Safari Animals Designs post.

Easy, step by step Lion drawing tutorial
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