Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Lion (Cartoon)" 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 curved lines next to each other for the lion's eyes. Sketch lightly at first so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake. The shape of the curved lines should be similar to a half-circle. When you get the shape right, darken the lines and make them thick. Pay attention to the placement of the lines. Don't draw them too far apart.

 

Step 2: Under each curved line, draw a small circle for the irises. The circle on the left should be close to the right tip of the line. The circle on the right should be closer to the middle of the curved line. Add a couple of lines at the top for the cartoon lion's eyebrows.

 

Step 3: Inside each iris, off to the side, draw a tiny circle to represent glare. In the middle of each iris, draw a big dot for the pupils. Try not to shade in the tiny circles.

 

Step 4: Below the lion's eyes, slightly to the left, draw a small triangle for the nose.

 

Step 5: Below the cartoon lion's nose, draw a wavy line for the mouth. The mouth should be similar to a number 3 on its side. Add a curved line below the mouth for the chin.

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Step 6: Above the eyes, draw a series of short, curved lines for the first part of the lion's mane. The path of the lines should dip down closer to the eyes on the sides. The combined shape of the small lines should be similar to an arc over the eyes.

 

Step 7: Draw a curved line on either side for the lower half of the lion's face. These curved lines should be made up of quick, short strokes to represent fur. Continue drawing the lines downward so that they come to a point below the chin.

 

Step 8: Draw a C-shaped arc on the upper left side of the head for the cartoon lion's first ear. Add another arc on the top, right side for the other ear.

 

Step 9: Below each ear, draw a few lines for the lion's mane below them. Add a few strokes within the ears for fur.

 

Step 10: Draw a series of jagged lines above the cartoon lion's head for the outer edge of the mane. Curve the shape of the jagged mane downward so that it wraps around the head.

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Step 11: Continue drawing the jagged lines to create the lower, right side of the lion's mane. Curve the overall shape of the mane so that it ends below the chin.

 

Step 12: Now draw the left side of the lion's mane the same way. Use a series of jagged lines that meet the right side of the mane at the bottom.

 

Step 13: Under the mane, draw two short lines for the cartoon lion's first front leg. Add the paw below by using a C-shaped line on the left and a horizontal line for the bottom. Add the toes inside using two short, curved lines.

 

Step 14: Draw the cartoon lion's other front leg the same way.

 

Step 15: Add the bottom part of the lion's body by drawing a line to the right of the front legs. Add the top part of the body as a curved line that starts on the right side of the mane.

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Step 16: Draw the hind leg on the right by continuing the curved line for the body. Add the lion's foot and toes the same way as the front legs.

 

Step 17: Draw a small curved line to the right of the first front leg for the visible portion of the second hind leg. To the right of the body, draw the first part of the cartoon lion's tail using a couple of short U-shaped lines.

 

Step 18: Draw a series of short strokes at the end for the brush- like tip of the lion's tail.

 

Step 19: Using a pen or marker, carefully go over the lines to make your cartoon lion 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 brown for the mane. Use yellow-orange for the rest of the body except the eyes, muzzle, paws and underside. Now use yellow for everything else except the nose and irises. To get a gradient effect on the lion's eyes, color the top part dark brown and the bottom part light brown.

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

 

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