How to Draw a Lunar New Year Lion (Easy Step by Step)
A lunar new year lion is a happy, bold face that appears in the festival parades. It is built from simple parts: a wavy head and wide jaw, two curly horns, big round eyes, a curly nose, and one wide smile. Once you can draw the basic shapes, the fancy details are just wiggly lines.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a lunar new year lion step by step
How to Draw a Lunar New Year Lion · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Head and wide jaw
Draw the wavy outline of the head, bumping in and out down both sides. Curve it into a wide jaw that ends in a little point at the bottom, then draw a wavy line across the middle where the jaw begins. Finish each end of that line with a small curl.
Step 3: Left cheek curl
Draw a small curl on the left side, just above where the jaw line meets the cheek. Make it a little C shape that opens toward the middle of the face.
Step 4: Horns and top tuft
Draw two small curly horns on the top corners of the head, each with a little hook at the top. Between them, add a swirly tuft with a curl underneath.
Step 5: Eye frames
Around each eye, draw curvy lines for the brow and eyelids, with small flicks at the sides. Draw a big round eye on the right with a filled center and a tiny white dot for a sparkle.
Step 6: Left eye
Fill in the center of the left eye so it matches the right one, and leave a tiny white dot for a sparkle. Add a short curved line along the left edge of the eye.
Step 7: The curly nose
Draw a wide bump in the middle of the face between the eyes. At each end, curl the line into a small spiral.
Step 8: The happy smile
Draw a big U shape in the middle of the jaw, like a smile. Keep both ends of the curve rounded and even.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your lunar new year lion? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a menorah or how to draw a dreidel next.
Tips for drawing a lunar new year lion
- Draw the wavy head and jaw first and keep your lines light. Everything else sits inside or on top of that shape.
- The curly nose is a tricky part. Draw the wide bump first, then add a small spiral at each end.
- Make both eyes the same size by drawing one first, then placing the other at the same height.
Free lunar new year lion coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this lunar new year lion coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your lunar new year lion drawing
Try red and gold for a festive look, with a bright green or blue mane. For a creative twist, give your lion rainbow horns or a glitter pattern on its cheeks.
Lunar new year lion fun fact for kids
In a lion dance, two people work together inside one costume. One person moves the head and the other moves the back legs, while drums and cymbals keep the beat.
Questions about drawing a lunar new year lion
What shapes do I need to draw a lunar new year lion?
You need a wavy head with a wide jaw, two small curly horns, two round eyes, a wide bump with two spirals for the nose, and a U for the smile.
How do I make my lion look cuter?
Make the eyes big and round with a little white sparkle, and keep the smile wide and curved. Rounder, softer shapes look friendlier.
How do I draw the wavy head?
Draw a line that goes in and out in soft bumps down each side of the head. Take your time and keep the bumps gentle and rounded.
