Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Lion (Cartoon / Roaring)" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

 

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 two short, diagonal lines for the lion's eyebrows. Sketch lightly at first. When you get the shape and angles right, make the lines darker and thicker. Curve the outer tips of the eyebrows down and the inner tips up.

 

Step 2: Draw a flat, diamond- like shape under each eyebrow for the lion's eyes. The eye on the right side should be smaller because of the angle the head will have. Inside each eye, near the middle, draw a big dot for the pupils.

 

Step 3: Below the eye on the right, draw a curved, horizontal line for the top part of the lion's nose. Now draw a line similar to the letter V for the bottom part of the nose.

 

Step 4: Draw the top of the lion's muzzle by first drawing a line to the left of the nose. Now draw another line on the right that curves under the nose. The lines should almost meet on the left side.

 

Step 5: Draw two long, curved vertical lines under the muzzle for the open mouth. Add a shorter line at the bottom to finish the shape of the lion's open mouth.

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Step 6: Draw a series of V-shaped lines along the top of the open mouth for the teeth. The teeth on the sides (the canines) should be longer than the ones in the middle. Add the lion's bottom row of teeth the same way.

 

Step 7: Draw two curved lines inside the lion's mouth for the tongue.

 

Step 8: Draw the lower jaw around the mouth using a series of curved lines. As you draw the lion's chin, break up the line to represent fur. Curve the left tip of the line downward a little bit.

 

Step 9: Draw the inner section of the mane as short lines around the face. Stay close to the facial features as you draw these short lines. If they're too far, the lion's head will be too big. Draw the lines that are closer to the bottom a bit longer and more curved.

 

Step 10: On the top left, side, draw a couple of lines for the base of the ear. Then add an arc on top with a line inside for the lion's actual ear.

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Step 11: Add the cartoon lion's mane by first lightly sketching an arc around the whole head. Close off the shape of the mane by adding a V-shaped line at the bottom. Now draw a series of short strokes along the path of the lightly sketched line. The purpose of the light sketch is to give you a visual of where the mane will go. You can skip it if you want. Use short, jagged strokes to darken the outer edge of the mane and make it furry. You can also draw the mane farther away from the face to make it fluffier. Make the strokes that are closer to the bottom of the mane longer and not as jagged.

 

Step 12: Below the mane, draw a long curved vertical line for the first part of the lion's front leg. Add another long vertical line on the left for the other edge of the leg. Angle it in the middle a little. Draw three short, curved lines at the end of the leg for the toes.

 

Step 13: Draw the other front leg the same way. First two vertical lines for the top part. Then add the curved lines at the bottom for the lion's toes. The leg is turned, so only draw two toes.

 

Step 14: To the left of the mane, draw a long line that curves downward for the back of the body. Add a short horizontal line to the left of the front leg for the underside of the lion's body.

 

Step 15: Add the hind leg on the left by first drawing a line that slopes at the top and is vertical at the bottom. Now add the foot as a short, curved line at the bottom. Add the right edge of this leg by drawing another sloping line that connects to the body. Draw the lion's toes at the tip of the foot as two curved lines.

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Step 16: Add the lion's other hind leg by first drawing two short lines under the body. This leg is stepping forward, so the lower lines should slope toward the right. Add the foot and toes at the bottom using short, curved lines.

 

Step 17: On the top, left side of the body, draw a long curved line for the lion's tail. Add another parallel line to the left to make the tail thicker. Draw a series of curved lines around the end of the tail for the brush-like tip.

 

Step 18: Using a pen or marker, carefully go over the lines to make your drawing permanent. After inking, get rid of every pencil mark with an eraser.

 

Final Step: Color your cartoon lion drawing using color pencils, markers or even crayons! Use dark brown for the tip of the tail and mane. Add it lightly at first, then gradually go as dark as you'd like. Color the rest of the lion's body brown but leave the muzzle, underside and toes blank. Remember to add it lightly at first. Use light brown for the rest of the body except the nose and inside the mouth. Use red and brown for the inside of the mouth and nose, and pink for the lion's tongue.

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

 

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