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Uploaded:April 25, 2011
Artist:Finalprodigy
Difficulty:Advanced  Advanced Skill Level
Steps:20
Updated:April 25, 2011
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How to Draw Realistic Lions, Draw Real Lions

Hey everyone, hope you all like lions, because that's what this tutorial is all about! Let's get started!

Tags
how to draw a tribal design
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions
how to draw chibi katara, avatar
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 1

STEP 1.

So, when drawing anything it always helps to draw a few practice sketches. This were my sketches which were referenced from photographs. I used charcoal on charcoal paper and have actually decided to switch over to charcoal drawing for my next few tutorials all thanks to these sketches.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 2

STEP 2.

So, instead of looking for a reference picture to copy my drawing from, I decided to more or less freehand an idea. This was the basic idea that led to the final drawing.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 3

STEP 3.

Here are my main tools. I also used a kneaded eraser and 6H and 3H pencils for lighter shading.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 4

STEP 4.

Alright, I know it's weird looking but here is how I started drawing the adult lion. Three squares for the body and some basic shapes for the legs. No head yet.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 5

STEP 5.

Move on by sketching in the head and hinting at basic anatomy.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 6

STEP 6.

Start sketching in the basic outline of the lion, body first. This WILL change, but just try to get an idea of it down now.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 7

STEP 7.

Start sketching in the head and erasing unwanted lines. Start sketching out the basic flow of the mane.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 8

STEP 8.

Sketch in the rest of the mane, and voilà! We have a sketched lion.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 9

STEP 9.

Alright, I just sketched in the little cub here. I also started sketching in the background. Just make sure the cub's head is smaller than the adults head and you shouldn't end up with too many proportion problems.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 10

STEP 10.

Use a fairly light pencil, HB or B, to darken the entire drawing a little bit. This will make it easier to start shading.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 11

STEP 11.

Now we can start outlining the figures more and shading in the darker values. I started darkening the lion's mane during this step.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 12

STEP 12.

Now we can take the shading even further all the while adding new details to the foreground and background. You can see the grass starting to form in this step.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 13

STEP 13.

Zero in on the lion's mane. Notice how my lines aren't just random; they follow the way that the fur would naturally flow.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 14

STEP 14.

Continue on by using darker pencils (2B+)to add in darker values. You can also use an eraser, preferably a kneaded one, to softly lighten up some values here and there.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 15

STEP 15.

Keep lightening the drawing with the eraser. If you choose the same background as me you can start darkening the dirt as well.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 16

STEP 16.

So, we can now swoop in with more detail starting with the left side. You're pretty much open to use whatever grade of pencil fits your needs. Also, don't let the grass overwhelm you. Just make quick, straightish lines in the direction that you think the grass would flow.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 17

STEP 17.

Now we can move more to the middle and add more detail to the cub and just about everything under it. don't worry too much about making the facial features super realistic yet.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 18

STEP 18.

And continue on by defining the final third of the drawing.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 19

STEP 19.

You can see in this step everything that is in the final drawing. I'm sticking this in here to show how minute the details can get. Compare this step with the next one and see if you can spot all of the changes.
 
how to draw realistic lions, draw real lions step 20

STEP 20.

After going in and adding more minute details to the faces and the grass/ground I called this drawing done! I hope everyone can pull something out of this tutorial. Look forward to a realist cats tutorial in the near future!
 

Comments: Post Comment

 
Wolflover56789's comment

 

Wolflover56789 ~ Nov 2, 2012, 5:02:08 AM
I can only dream of drawing like this.. T_T
 
ilikepie's comment

 

ilikepie ~ May 21, 2011, 1:51:42 PM
and thx u!! hai hai
 
feline9's comment

 

feline9 ~ May 1, 2011, 12:25:17 AM
NICE I just got into fredie to rock rock rock rock
 
warriorcat's comment

 

warriorcat ~ Apr 27, 2011, 4:22:10 PM
Great job here's some advice though, the body is kinda long, but other than that it's awesome! boogie
 
Neon_dollar's comment

 

Neon_dollar ~ Apr 25, 2011, 11:34:08 PM
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! and few more!!!!!!!!! jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop k bye
@finalprodigy
bow thx allot yay
 
spirit259's comment

 

spirit259 ~ Apr 25, 2011, 10:28:46 PM
Aaw, thanks ^_^ I tried hard at this :D I bet I could do better now, I may draw the whole band boogie
 
finalprodigy's comment

 

finalprodigy ~ Apr 25, 2011, 6:51:44 PM
bow thx allot yay
@peanutnutter
singing singing omgomg omgomg O_o O_o meowla meowla smile smile bucktooth bucktooth jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop ill ill ill
 
finalprodigy's comment

 

finalprodigy ~ Apr 25, 2011, 6:51:03 PM
O_o shrug B) rock
@litlcrphawk24
great pics
 
finalprodigy's comment

 

finalprodigy ~ Apr 25, 2011, 6:50:06 PM
x_x
 
peanutnutter's comment

 

peanutnutter ~ Apr 25, 2011, 6:30:41 PM
singing singing omgomg omgomg O_o O_o meowla meowla smile smile bucktooth bucktooth jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop ill ill ill
 
:lol: confused :fear: X3 :x_x: :shakefist: :zzz: :shrug: :inlove: =D =( :bow: :boogie: :innocent: :omgomg: O_o :3
:rolling: :plotting: :ill: =$ :fart: :hai: :mature: ;p ^^; :drool: :stupid: :poke: :tomatoe: :threaten: T_T :snooty: :singing:
B) :yay: :yawn: :watermelon: :wtf: :wow: :jawdrop: :paranoid: :dumb: :evil: :angry: :speechless: :blank: :rock: :salute: =B ;)
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