Draw A Glowing Lion With Colored Pencils
Even as a complete beginner.
Imagine if you could:
Build a bright glow layer by layer with your pencils, and watch a plain sketch turn into something that looks lit from somewhere inside the paper.
Sit down after a long day and lose yourself in the layers, dark over light, color over shadow, until the lion starts to glow from underneath.
Finish a piece so alive with color that people lean in and ask, "wait… you drew that yourself?"
Have you ever seen something like this and thought:
“I want to be able to draw like that.”
Maybe you've tried colored pencil before, and it came out flat instead of glowing, so you put the pencils away.
Maybe you've never tried at all, but something about this lion pulls you in. You just don't know where to start.
Here's the truth: it's much simpler than it looks.
And yes, even complete beginners can draw this.
The whole lion is built from one simple, repeatable process. You learn it once, then repeat it across the piece.
No freehand precision. No years of practice. Just a layering order that makes sense.
And the glow?
Glow isn't a color. It's contrast.
You build it in layers: a light base first, then mid-tones, then deeper tones around it, until the brightest point looks lit from within.
That same order repeats across the whole lion: mane, face, shadows, even the eyes and whiskers.
All you need is a starting set of colored pencils (any brand works) and a light source to draw toward.
And I'll show you exactly how, step by step.
This lion is just the beginning.
The same method applies to any wildlife subject after this one: tigers, wolves, bears, and other big cats.
Anyone can learn to draw this.
Even if you've never drawn before. This is beginner-friendly from the very start. The layering order does most of the work for you. No drawing experience needed.
Even if you've tried colored pencil before and gave up. This light-first method is more forgiving than layering fur color straight on. Small wobbles blend into the glow instead of standing out.
Even if you don't think of yourself as "the artistic type." This isn't about natural talent. It's about following the same light-first layering order, placed in the right spot each time.
Even if you don't have any supplies yet. All you need is a set of colored pencils and paper. Any brand works, you don't need anything fancy or expensive to get started.
Hi, I'm Katie
I've been drawing colored-pencil wildlife portraits for over eight years, and I built this exact light-first method by drawing hundreds of glowing animals myself, one layer at a time.
I've watched complete beginners, people who swore they “couldn't draw animals,” finish a glowing lion portrait in their first sitting, just by following the order instead of guessing at it.
You don't need a steady hand or years of practice. You need the sequence. That's the whole method.
That's why I created this course.
For The First Time Ever - Introducing
The Glowing Lion Drawing Workshop
A step-by-step course where you'll draw a glowing lion portrait from start to finish while learning a light-first method you can reuse for tigers, wolves, bears, and more.
Here's A Small Taste Of What's Inside:
Module 1
The Simple Setup
What to buy, what to skip, and how to prep your paper for glow.
- •How to pick a small set of pencils that hold a glow instead of turning muddy
- •Why toned paper does half the glow work for you, and what shade to reach for
- •A simplified pressure guide so your first layers stay light and controllable
- •The one pencil grip almost every beginner is missing, and why it changes everything
Module 2
Transfer The Lion Outline Cleanly, Even If You Can't Draw
A few simple shapes and one flowing line, that's all it takes.
- •The simple shapes that build the lion's head, ears, and muzzle
- •One flowing line that maps the mane's shape in seconds
- •A trace-ready outline included in the workshop, transfer it directly onto your toned paper and start layering glow
- •Why glow isn't a color, it's contrast, and how that changes where you place your first layer
Module 3
The Base Layer
Lay down your very first layer of color, the right way.
- •Why this first layer on the mane should be flat and light, not dramatic yet
- •How to apply even pressure across the mane so your color goes on smooth, not patchy
- •Where to place your base color on the mane based on your planned light source
- •The beginner mistake of going too dark, too fast on the face and muzzle, and how to avoid it
Module 4
Highlights & Contrast
The exact layering process that makes the mane start to glow.
- •Why the glow depends on layering order, not blending or smudging the fur
- •The light-to-dark sequence that builds realistic depth and warmth in the mane
- •Where to leave your brightest strands untouched so they can glow later
- •How to tell the difference between "building glow" and "overdoing it" on the face
Module 5
The Full Glow
Push the glow to its final, most vivid, lit-from-within state.
- •How to deepen your darkest shadows so the brightest strands read as light, not just color
- •The final layering pass that pulls every earlier layer together into one cohesive glow
- •Where to add the last highlights that make the finished lion pop off the page
- •How to know your glow is finished instead of second-guessing every stroke
Module 6
Break Any Animal Into Simple, Glowable Light Zones
How to see any reference photo as a few simple light-and-shadow zones.
- •How to spot the biggest light zone first, so you always know where to start
- •How to turn any reference photo into 3-4 simple zones instead of guessing at detail
- •A full start-to-finish walkthrough drawing your first complete glowing lion, in real time
- •The final-glow pass that pulls the whole piece together in under 10 minutes
Module 7
Take The Light-First Method Beyond This Lion
How your light-first method carries into every animal you draw next.
- •How to decide where your light zone goes before you start a new animal
- •How to adapt the same method for tigers, wolves, bears, and other big cats
- •Discover how to draw from your own reference photos instead of only practice images
- •A simplified troubleshooting guide for the 5 most common ways a glow falls flat
You're Not Just Learning One Lion
This is your first guided project. As you draw it, you'll also learn the simple light-first process behind many glowing animal portraits:
- ✓how to find your light source in any reference photo, not just this one
- ✓how to layer color so fur keeps its glow instead of going flat
- ✓how to use a repeatable pressure order to build depth without turning muddy
- ✓how to apply the same method to a new animal, glow color, or lighting setup
So by the end, you won't just have a finished lion. You'll understand a light-first method you can keep using.
Why You'll Be Paying Less For This Course Today
A single in-person drawing class runs $40–$70 for a couple of hours, and you walk away with one piece and no way to recreate it on your own.
Private art lessons run $60–$100 an hour. And a piece like the one you'll finish here can sell for well over $150, for just one drawing.
This course gives you a repeatable skill.
Once you own the light-first method, you can draw this same glowing lion again as a gift, in a different glow color, or move on to an entirely different animal.
The full price for this course is:
$97
But that's NOT the price you'll be paying today.
This is the first online release of The Glowing Lion Drawing Workshop, and the first 50 students can join at a lower early-bird price.
I'll use this first group's feedback to see what helped most, where beginners get stuck, and what questions come up as students draw their first glowing lion.
So for this first group, the course is:
Only $47
You'll get the full step-by-step course, a light-first method you can apply to any animal, lifetime access, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
After the first 50 students join, the course moves to the regular $97 price.
Normally $97
Now Only $47
One-time payment.
Lifetime access.
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Plus You'll Be Backed By My Unconditional Money Back Guarantee
You don't have to decide right now.
Get access and try it for 30 full days. Draw your first glowing lion. See how it feels to finish something you're actually proud of.
If it's not for you, send one email to help@drawingacademyonline.com and you'll get every penny back within 24 hours. No questions asked. No stalling.
You either love what you create... or you don't pay for it.
And to help you go even further...
Get 5 FREE Bonuses If You Join Now
🎁 Bonus #1
$18 FREEThe Ultimate Printable Tracing Template Pack
Ready-to-print tracing templates for lions, tigers, snow leopards, and more, so you can start layering color immediately instead of struggling with the sketch.
- •Printable tracing templates for a full range of big cats and wildlife poses
- •Skip straight to the light-first layering if sketching isn't your strong suit yet
- •A simple lightbox or window-tracing method if you've never traced before
🎁 Bonus #2
$16 FREEControl Your Light & Shadow Reference Sheet
A one-page cheat sheet for reading light direction in any photo, so you always know where your glow layer goes.
- •How to find your light source in any reference photo in under 10 seconds
- •A printable value map you can hold up next to your pencils while you draw
- •Discover the 4 lighting setups that are easiest to draw as a beginner
🎁 Bonus #3
$14 FREEPhotograph & Share Your Portrait
How to photograph your finished glowing lion so it looks just as lit-from-within on screen as it does on paper, so you can actually show it off.
- •The lighting setup that makes colored-pencil glow read correctly in photos
- •How to edit a photo of your art without changing its actual colors
- •A simple framing and posting guide for sharing your work online
🎁 Bonus #4
$12 FREEColour Palette Transformation Pack
The same lion portrait, reimagined across a range of color palettes, so you always have a fresh direction once you finish your first one.
- •Ready-made palette directions: warm, cool, monochrome, jewel-tone, and more
- •How to swap a palette without redrawing a single line
- •A quick-reference color wheel for building your own combinations later
🎁 Bonus #5
$9 FREEPrivate Drawing Academy Community
Access to a private community of fellow students sharing their glowing portraits, asking questions, and getting feedback as they go.
- •Post your work-in-progress and finished portraits for feedback
- •See how other students approach the same lesson in their own colors
- •A space to ask questions any time you get stuck on a layer
Here's Everything You're Getting So Far:
But now you get everything for just: $47
Total Value: $166
Now Only $47
One-time payment.
Lifetime access.
Access Now
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
🔒 Secure Payment 🔒
P.S. If the next page doesn't load... then I'm sorry, but the special offer has expired.
PLUS... A Special Bonus When You Buy Now
If you purchase before the timer hits ZERO...
I'll add in this incredible LIMITED-TIME bonus…
But only for those who purchase before the timer hits zero.
If the timer hits ZERO - this Special Bonus will disappear!
Order in the next 00:00:00 and you'll also get:
🎁 Limited-Time Bonus
$27 FREESeven Glowing Mini Drawings: Fun To Make, Beautiful To Gift
One per day, each a different small subject, all using the same light-first method from the main course.
- •7 different small subjects to practice, all in your glow palette
- •Printable outline templates for every subject, so you can start layering color in minutes
- •Per-subject tips that adapt the lion technique to feathers, petals, shells, and more
- •Each piece finishes in under an hour, perfect for gifting or framing on its own
P.S. This bonus is only available if you enroll before the timer ends. After that, it's gone.
Get The Full Course, All Bonuses, And The Time-Limited Bonus For Just...
Total Value $263
Now Only $47
One-time payment.
Lifetime access.
Access Now
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
🔒 Secure Payment 🔒
P.S. If the next page doesn't load... then I'm sorry, but the special offer has expired.
Got More Questions? I Got You:
I've never done colored pencil before. Is this course for me?
Yes. This course was designed specifically for beginners. You don't need any prior drawing experience. Every step is shown clearly so you can follow along and finish your glowing lion start to finish.
Do I need to be "artistic" or have natural talent?
Not at all. The technique is built from a repeatable light-first layering order. You don't need natural talent or a steady hand. Just follow the layers in order. If you can hold a pencil, you can draw this.
Will any brand of colored pencils work?
Yes. Any brand works, you don't need a specific or expensive set to get started. The course recommends a few affordable options, but your existing pencils will work just fine.
What materials do I need, and are they expensive?
No, they're simple, affordable, and easy to find online or at any art store. All you need is a small set of colored pencils and toned paper. You can get everything for around $35, and if you already have basic drawing supplies, it'll cost even less.
Will I only learn to draw this one lion?
No. You'll complete a full glowing lion portrait, and you'll also learn the light-first layering method that works on almost any animal: tigers, bears, wolves, and other big cats. The goal is one glowing lion plus a skill you can use on every future drawing.
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
Yes, it's built for beginners first. The whole point of the light-first method is that it sidesteps the hardest part of realistic fur and lighting, and replaces it with something more intuitive and forgiving. Students who have never drawn before finish stunning portraits.
I'm 60+, can I do this?
Yes, absolutely. Many students pick up colored pencil for the first time in their 50s, 60s, and 70s, and finish their lions with pride. The technique is gentle, the pace is yours, and the steps are clear. If you can hold a pencil, you can do this.
How long do I have access to the course?
Forever. Once you enroll, you have lifetime access to everything. You can rewatch any lesson as many times as you want, from any device.
Is this a one-time payment?
Yes. This is a one-time purchase. No subscriptions, no hidden fees, no recurring charges. You pay once and the course is yours forever.
When does the course start?
Right away. The moment you sign up, you get instant access to all the lessons. No waiting, no scheduled start date.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes. You're covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it's not for you, just reach out and you'll get a full refund. No questions asked.
I don't have much free time. Is that a problem?
Not at all. The lessons are short and focused. You can complete the portrait over a weekend or take your time and spread it out over a few sessions.
What happens after I buy?
You will receive an email with simple instructions on how to access the course. From there, you can start Module 1 right away.
Is it safe to purchase here?
Yes. Your payment is processed through a secure, encrypted checkout. Your private information is never shared with anyone.
Here's Everything You're Getting Now:
But now you get everything for just: $47
Total Value: $263
Now Only $47
One-time payment.
Lifetime access.
Access Now
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
🔒 Secure Payment 🔒
P.S. If the next page doesn't load... then I'm sorry, but the special offer has expired.