This guide explains how to draw a cougar standing in side profile in 18 steps. The cougar, also known as a mountain lion, puma, or panther depending on the region, has a long and lean build that requires careful proportioning in a side view drawing. The steps are straightforward, but the focus on body length and leg placement makes it moderately complex.
Main Features of a Cougar in Profile
- Head: rounded with a short muzzle and visible whiskers and marks.
- Ears: small, upright, and slightly rounded.
- Neck: thick and muscular, connecting smoothly to the shoulders.
- Body: long with a straight back line.
- Legs: proportionate and sturdy, with clear definition of the joints.
- Paws: rounded with visible toes.
- Tail: long, thick, and extending downward with a gentle curve.
After completing this guide, you may also want to draw related animals such as a cheetah, lioness, or male lions to expand your big cat drawing set.
Step Color Explanation
- Red Color: shows the lines you need to draw in the current step.
- Black Color: shows the lines from previous steps.
- Grey Color: shows the base sketch for initial proportions.
When drawing, pay attention to the length of the body and the balance between the front and back legs. The tail should look natural and not too stiff. Keep the head small compared to the body, which reflects a real cougar’s proportions. By step 18, the side profile will be complete, showing a full-body cougar ready for color or shading.
Now that you know how to draw a Cougar / Mountain Lion / Puma, there are plenty more wild animals from this series coming your way, so keep an eye out for big cats, apex predators, and other creatures getting the step-by-step treatment. You can sign up for the weekly digest using the form at the top of the page to get new guides delivered straight to your inbox, or follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for updates as they drop.