How-to-Draw: Three Circle Lion

This project idea was found on artprojectsforkids.com

I am posting this for use in the art camps that I am teaching this summer. 

Parents, please take a look at some of the projects your kids will be or have been doing in camp! They may even want to use these templates to teach you or their siblings what they have learned. 

How-to-Draw: Three Circle Lion

Materials:

• Bristol paper (I use this because I like the heavier weight, you may substitute any other paper you like)
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Pen/Marker
• Circular object to trace
• Markers/crayons/colored pencils 

Step 1: Using a circular item (can, cup, etc.) draw two overlapping circles in roughly the center of your paper. Remember to use a pencil for everything at first incase you need to erase and fix any of your lines. Also, it is smart to press lightly at first because light lines are easier to erase. 

Step 2: Draw a third circle of the same size below the others that overlaps with them. 

Step 3: Add eyes in the two original circles, as shown below. You can vary their position if you want. Once you like your placement and shape, you can press harder with the pencil so they stand out. You could also trace over them with a pen or marker. Find the spot that includes a portion of all three circles and color it in with a marker or pen. This is the lion's nose. Finally, add two teeth in the third circle, attached to the upper two circles. The teeth can be big or small, depending on whether you want your lion to look friendly or scary! 

Step 4: Using your pencil first, and then tracing over with marker, add three whiskers on either side of the nose. If three looks like too many or too few to you, the number can be adjusted. Draw two round ears on the top "corners" of the lion's head. 

Step 5: Next, add the lion's mane. I suggest starting at the top and then going down either side. Try to make it stretch close to either edge of the paper. 

Step 6: The final step is to add color! There is no right or wrong way to do this! Is your lion realistic, with yellow and orange coloring? Or is he polka dotted? Striped? Pink? Green? Use your creativity to make him look any way you want! 

What other animals could you draw using the three circle approach?