Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Lynx" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

 

The Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

 

The Written step-by-step video tutorial:

 

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

 

Step 1: Draw a circle on the left side of the paper as a guide for the lynx's head. First make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make mistake. If you're struggling to draw the circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, a bottle cap or any other object with a circular edge. For a more detailed guide on the different ways to draw a circle check out this tutorial: Four simple ways to draw a circle.

 

Step 2: Draw a curved, horizontal line across the lynx's head as a construction line to help you add the facial features later. Above the horizontal line, add a short, vertical line for another construction line.

 

 

Step 3: Draw a small circle on the bottom half of the head as a guide for the lynx's muzzle. Draw this circle between the horizontal construction line and the bottom edge of the head.

 

Step 4: On top of the head, draw two small , triangle-like lines as guides for the lynx's ears. Pay attention to the size of the ears in relation to the head.

 

 

Step 5: On the right side of the head, draw a big circle as a guide for the front part of the lynx's body. Like with the head, make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width, and then connect the marks using curved lines. This circle should be about twice the size of the head. Don't overlap the shape of the head on the left side.

---

 

Step 6: On the right side, draw another circle as a guide for the back section of the body. Lynxes' hind legs are longer than their front legs, so the back of the body (this circle) should be a bit higher than the front. This circle should also be a bit smaller than the front circle. Don't place the circles too far apart, otherwise your lynx will be too long.

 

Step 7: Draw two sloping lines to connect the big circles and complete the guide for the body. On the top, right side, draw a short line as a guide for the lynx's stubby tail.

 

 

Step 8: Under the circle on the left, draw two angled lines as guides for the lynx's front legs. The first line should bend to the left at the top and bottom to represent joints. Pay attention to its length relative to the body. The second line should be slightly shorter and bend to the right because the lynx will be stepping forward.

 

Step 9: Under the circle on the right, draw two more angled lines as guides for the hind legs. Because lynxes have longer hind legs, make these lines longer. Bend the lines in the middle to indicate where the joints will be and at the bottom for the feet.

 

 

That's it for the guides! From this point on, press harder with your pencil for a more defined drawing.

---

 

Step 10: Lightly sketch the eyes inside the head as two small ovals. Use the initial construction lines as guides for size and position of the eyes. When you get the size and position right, darken the shapes of the eyes. As you darken the eyes, make the top, outer sides and the bottom, inner sides pointy. Make the outlines of the lynx's eyes darker and thicker. The inner corners of the eyes should point down to the muzzle, and the outer corners should point to the sides of the head.

 

Step 11: Inside each eye, draw a thin slit for the pupils. The lynx's pupils should touch the top edge of the eye but not the bottom. On the side of each pupil, draw a tiny circle to represent glare. Draw a few lines above and below the eyes for extra detail. Use a series of short strokes to create a fur- like texture.

 

 

Step 12: Add the nose by first lightly sketching a small triangle inside the muzzle. Pay attention to the size and position of the nose relative to the eyes. When you get that right, darken the lines. As you darken the sides of the lynx's nose, make the lines come inward to create the nostrils. Make the bottom part of the nose thin and add a small line there. Use a wavy line for the top part.

 

Step 13: Use the small circle inside the head as a guide to draw the rest of the muzzle. Under the nose, draw a horizontal line that's made up of short strokes to create the mouth. The sides shouldn't touch the circle. Add a few strokes along the path of the initial circle to create the shape of the lynx's muzzle. Draw a series of strokes at the bottom for the fuzzy chin. Follow the curvature of the initial circle.

 

 

Step 14: Use the triangle-like shape on the top, right side of the head as a guide to draw the lynx's first ear. Darken the sides of the shape and at the top, draw a series of short strokes for the long tuft of fur. These tufts of fur are a distinct feature in the lynx, so draw them tall and prominent. Add some strokes within the shape of the ear for structure and more fur.

---

 

Step 15: Use the other triangle- like shape on the head as a guide to draw the other ear the same way. Darken the sides of the guide and add some short strokes at the top for the tuft of fur. Add more strokes within the shape of the lynx's ear for more fur and structure.

 

Step 16: Use the main circle as a guide to draw the rest of the lynx's head. Darken the outer edges of the circle to create the shape of the head. Make the top part flatter. Use short strokes as you darken the shape of the head to create a fur-like texture. When you add the bottom part of the head, draw the strokes lower than the initial circle for the longer fur found here.

The fur should be longer on the sides and then shorter again below the chin to create a W-like shape. Lynxes have longer cheek fur during the winter, so you can make yours longer or shorter if you'd like. Add a few more strokes within the shape of the head for extra detail on the fur. Add the strokes on the sides of the eyes to emphasize the shape of the face.

 

 

Step 17: Draw the first front leg using the second line from the left as a guide. Follow the path of the guide and lightly sketch the shape of the leg around it. The shape of the leg should be thick. The lynx's paw at the bottom should be really big. When you get the shape of the leg right, darken the lines. Use short strokes along the edge of the shape to represent a fur-like texture. The top of the leg should bend in toward the body to create a joint there. Draw a couple of curved lines at the tip of the big paw to separate the individual toes.

 

Step 18: Use the line on the far left side as a guide to draw the second front leg. Follow the path of the guide and lightly sketch the shape of the leg around it. When you get the shape of the leg stepping forward correct, darken the lines. Because the lynx is stepping forward, the paw should face down with the toes pointing to the right. The lines to separate the toes should curve in the opposite direction of the toes on the other front foot.

 

 

Step 19: Use the angled line on the far right side as a guide to draw the lynx's first hind leg the same way. Lightly sketch the leg around the guide. Bend the shape where the guide bends to create the joints. The top part of the leg should be wide, and the paw should be really big. The hind legs should be longer than the front legs. When you get the shape of the hind leg right, darken the lines. Use short strokes as you darken the shape of the leg to represent a fur-like texture. The shape of this leg should slope to the right a bit because the lynx is stepping forward. Make the lynx's paw really big and add a couple of curved lines at the tip to separate the toes.

---

 

Step 20: Use the last line under the body as a guide to draw the other hind leg the same way. Lightly sketch the shape of the leg around the guide and only darken the lines when you get the shape right. Use short strokes for furry texture. The bottom part of the leg should slope to the left because the lynx is stepping forward. Make the paw big at the bottom and add a short, curved line at the top for the toes.

 

Step 21: Use the remaining lines and shapes as guides to draw the rest of the lynx's body. Darken the outer edges of the guides to create the shape of the body. Use short strokes along the edge of the guides to create a fur-like texture. Use longer strokes along the bottom of the body. The longer the strokes, the shaggier the fur. Draw the shape of the lynx's short, stubby tail using short strokes around the guide line on the top, right side.

 

 

Step 22: For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines you may have accidentally erased.

 

Final Step: Add some shading to your lynx drawing for more detail. Use a dark value for the tufts on the ears. Add a row of dots above the mouth for the base of the whiskers. Using a dark value, draw a streak that runs vertically across each cheek below the eyes. Use short strokes to create a blank section above and below each eye. Use a medium value to shade the rest of the head, except for the muzzle, the inside of the ears and area around the eyes. As you shade, use strokes that go in the general direction of the lynx's fur. For the head, the strokes radiate outward from the middle. Separate each individual stroke a bit so that the white of the paper comes through and emphasizes the fur-like texture. For a more detailed guide on how to shade, check out this tutorial: How to shade.

Use a medium value to shade the lynx's body, except for the underside. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. The strokes across the body should be horizontal at the top and then gradually turn vertical toward the bottom and on the legs. Shading can be time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. You can shade different sections of the body at a time to break up the process. Use a dark value to shade in the tip of the tail. Continue adding value until the lynx's entire body is shaded.

Shade lightly at first and gradually build to the level of darkness that you like. The lynx differs from a bobcat in having less distinct spots to no spotting on the coat. So you can add some spots, but make them light. Add a medium value to the nose.

Add a darker value along the bottom part of the lynx's body to create shadows and give the figure more volume and dimension. It's always a good idea to use reference for a more accurate drawing.

Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the lynx so it doesn't appear to be floating. Don't forget to pause the video to draw at your own pace.

Thanks for visiting! Subscribe to the How2DrawAnimals YouTube Channel for a new tutorial every week.

To learn how to draw popular cartoon characters, visit EasyDrawingTutorials.com.

 

RELATED TUTORIALS