How-to Paint a Portrait of a Lion 

Materials I used:

Photo of a Lion

Canvas Board
Flat Brushes 
Liner Brush

Acrylic Colours (I used WN Galeria)

Titanium White  Yellow Ochre
Sap Green 
Cerulean Blue
Raw Umber
Raw Sienna 
Vermilion (Red) Hue
Cadmium Yellow
Mars Black 

Medium used: Fluid Retarder




Stage 1

Using Raw Umber and lots of water I created a sketch of the lions head on the canvas board. 

If your feeling a little unsure how to start something like this (or where to start) just pick a place and start there. I started with the right eye. I literally blobbed some thin paint there and then where the other eye should be then I worked my way out. 

You can use a ruler or you can hold your brush out to create measurements of the head. I used both methods. And I am always looking at the relationships between each aspect of the head. 

Stage 2

Now I mix the eye colour using Yellow Ochre and a small dot or two of Sap Green. Then I split it into half and add a small amount of white into one pile. And I Paint the dark area of the eyes first and with the light areas I use the  lighter pile of colour. I didn't blend the colours I just put them next to each other. 

Then using Mars black I paint in all the darkest bits. As pictured. 



Stage 3  

This time I start building up the colours of the face of our grand Lion. 

I use Yellow Ochre with a touch of white and pick out the lightest areas of the face, like around the mouth and on the nose. Then I go into some pure Yellow Ochre and add it to the Lions cheeks. Then with Some Yellow Ochre and a bit of white I work around the head. 

I then start going between the three values and place the colours on with simple strokes. (I don't scrub the colour on). I try to make each stroke of colour count. 

Stage 4

This was the point I thought I would add more colour than I can see. Colours that I felt could be exaggerated I did. 

I used Sap Green on the cheeks and some Raw sienna here and there to warm certain areas up. I also added some more strokes of light and pure Yellow Ochre here and there. 

And I added the Lions beard with some leftover light Yellow Ochre.


Stage 5

I now add in the highlights on the eyes using some mixed Mars Black and White. And using pure mars black I make the eyes smoother and I use a thin raw umber on the darker areas of the eyes to create more realistic eyes. 

I then darken around the head to see the shape of the head clearer and make it easier to correct if needed. 

I am constantly correcting areas I don't feel are quite right. Refining all the time. Remember to sit back and look at the whole picture as you create it. 

Stage 6

I now work quite quickly and use Cerulean Blue and White and using criss cross strokes I loosely put in the background. I don't blend this just lay on the paint. After that dries I get Raw Umber on the brush and add the mane. When that dries I paint in the ears using Yellow Ochre I blend the yellow into the Raw Umber as it gets closer to the Lions Ear hole.  

I also add the tongue using a bit of Mars Black and White, and a lighter version for the highlight of the tongue. 

Stage 7


This is where I use pure colour around the face picking out warm and cold areas and expressing them with colour. 

Blue is sent backwards and reds are brought forwards. 

I then add the mane using various mixtures of Yellow Ochre and white. Then when thats dry I go over it again using pure yellow Ochre in places and pure Raw Sienna. Then I go in again with Blues and Reds. I made sure my blue was lightened slightly with white and my red was turned orange slightly with Cad Yellow. This is a time to be expressive. Don't forget if you don't like a colour in a certain place you can paint over it using another colour. That's the beauty of fast drying paints. 

Final Stage

Paint the lighter areas of the nose. Paint in the whiskers and add in the highlights on the eyes. 

Any area you missed this is the time to complete the painting. 

I hope this little guide gives you an idea on how to paint a Lion using acrylics.