A lion and its mane

A study of a lion head in three-quarter view, with a layered flowing mane, modeled facial planes and long pale whiskers on textured sketchbook paper. Place the skull, muzzle and outer mane envelope.

A way into the drawing

1. Establish the construction

   Place the skull, muzzle and outer mane envelope.

2. Resolve the main structure

   Align the eyes and ears around the turning head, then build the cheek and jaw.

3. Develop the detail

   Group the mane into large flowing locks before adding selected strands.

4. Control the values

   Use deep inner-mane shadows and lighter outer locks to separate the face.

A small thing to tryAvoid giving every hair the same weight or direction.