How to Draw a Lion Dance

Step 1: The big head

In the top half of your paper, draw a big head like a fat rounded box, wider than tall.

Tip Leave room all round it for fur, and the bottom third for legs.

Step 2: Huge eyes

Across the middle, draw 2 big eyes a thumb apart, with black pupils. Add a thick bold brow above each.

Step 3: Mirror, horn and nose

On the forehead, draw a small mirror with a short horn above. Add a big pompom nose under the eyes.

Tip Set the mirror high, just under the horn, as one plain circle.

Step 4: Smile and whiskers

Under the nose, draw a wide open smile, curved on top with a U below. Add 3 whiskers each side.

Step 5: Teeth and tongue

Along the top lip, draw 6 rounded teeth from corner to corner. Add a half-round tongue at the bottom.

Step 6: Fur trim

Start low on the left. Draw fur bumps up the head, over the top and down the right, stopping low.

Step 7: Scaly cloth body

Under the head, draw a cloth body hanging behind it, dipping at each end, with 2 rows of U scales.

Tip The scales are little U arcs, like a fish.

Step 8: Beard fringe

Under the chin, draw a beard over the cloth: soft rounded fringe strands hanging down, longest in the middle.

Step 9: Front dancer's legs

Under the middle of the hem, draw the front dancer's 2 legs, bending out a little, each with a boot.

Tip Make each leg narrower at the ankle, and leave a gap between the boots.

Step 10: Back legs and ground

Near each end of the hem, draw a short leg and boot for the back dancer. Add a ground line.

Step 11: Gold trim and trousers

Colour the fur trim, horn, nose and trousers yellow. Leave the eyes, teeth, mirror and beard white.

Step 12: Pink and red

Colour the tongue pink, and the head and body red, going around the eyes, brows, nose, mirror, mouth and beard.

Step 13: Black mouth and boots

Colour the mouth black around the teeth and tongue, and the brows and boots black. Go over your lines!