The wise mandrill shaman of Pride Rock deserves a proper drawing guide, so here’s a tutorial on how to draw Rafiki from The Lion King. Rafiki serves as the spiritual advisor to the royal family, most famously presenting newborn Simba to the animals of the Pride Lands. His eccentric personality and unique appearance make him one of the most memorable characters in the franchise.
Sketching Rafiki with His Staff
This tutorial contains 11 steps that guide you through drawing Rafiki standing in his characteristic pose, holding his bakora staff with gourds attached!
Rafiki’s Distinctive Features
- Colorful face markings with stripes across the nose
- Wild mane of white and gray fur
- Large round eyes with a knowing expression
- Wide grinning mouth showing teeth
- Long arms with defined hands
- Bakora staff with two gourds tied near the top
- Bent-knee standing posture
- Fur tufts around the ankles
Rafiki plays a crucial role in guiding adult Simba back to face Scar and reclaim his kingdom. There’s also a separate tutorial showing Rafiki holding baby Simba in the iconic presentation scene. For other non-lion characters, try sketching Timon or Pumbaa.
Working Through the Steps
Watch the color changes at each stage to know what lines to add:
- Red Color: lines added in the current step.
- Black Color: lines completed earlier.
- Gray Color: base sketch for structure.
How to Draw Rafiki: Step-by-Step Guide
Post Your Rafiki Artwork!
That completes the guide on how to draw Rafiki with his staff and distinctive mandrill features. His wild fur and expressive face require attention to detail in the later steps. Leave comments below sharing your thoughts, and feel free to post links to your finished drawings!