One of the most iconic scenes in animation history comes to life in this tutorial on how to draw Rafiki holding baby Simba. This moment from The Lion King shows the mandrill shaman presenting the newborn prince to all the animals of the Pride Lands. The scene takes place atop Pride Rock, witnessed by proud parents Mufasa and Sarabi.
Drawing the Iconic Presentation Scene
This tutorial spans 16 steps, guiding you through the dynamic pose of Rafiki lifting baby Simba high above his head in the famous presentation moment!
Key Elements in This Scene
- Rafiki’s arms stretched upward holding the cub
- Baby Simba with round cub features and small body
- Rafiki’s wild mane flowing around his face
- Extended body creating a tall vertical composition
- Long tail adding balance to the pose
- Rafiki standing on tiptoes for dramatic effect
- Simba looking outward with curious expression
This drawing combines two characters in one composition. For individual character studies, check out the separate Rafiki tutorial and the young Simba guide. To continue practicing Lion King characters, Nala and Scar offer different body types and expressions.
Following the 16-Step Process
Each step builds on the previous one. Use the color guide to track new additions:
- Red Color: lines added in the current step.
- Black Color: lines completed earlier.
- Gray Color: base sketch for structure.
How to Draw Rafiki Presenting Simba: Complete Tutorial
Share Your Circle of Life Drawing!
That wraps up the guide on how to draw Rafiki holding baby Simba in the presentation pose. The vertical composition and two-character setup makes this more challenging than single character drawings, but the iconic result is worth the effort. Post your thoughts in the comments and share links to your finished artwork!