How To Draw A Monkey Step-By-Step Guide

Ever wanted to bring a playful monkey to life on paper? This simple guide will show you how! With just a few easy steps, you’ll be swinging through the trees with your very own monkey masterpiece. Let’s get started!

Materials Needed:

  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Paper
  • Markers or Colored Pencils (optional)

Let’s Draw!

  • Step 1: Start with a Circle. This will be the base for your monkey’s head.
  • Step 2: Add the Face. Draw a heart shape underneath the circle, excluding the pointed bottom. This will form the monkey’s face.
  • Step 3: Bring Your Monkey to Life. Draw two large dots for eyes, a small, upside-down triangle for a nose, and a wide, curved line for a smile.
  • Step 4: Give Your Monkey Ears. For the ears, draw two large, rounded shapes on the sides of the head, slightly above the eyes.
  • Step 5: Add Hair and Arms. Draw the hair flowing in different directions, such as upward or downward. 
  • Step 6: Add Arms. For the arms, draw them extending from the sides of the body with hands and fingers.
  • Step 7: Give Your Monkey Some Legs. Draw two curved lines extending downwards from the body for the thighs. Add half-circle shapes for the feet and connect them with a curved line.
  • Step 8: Add a Swishy Tail. Draw a curved line starting from the back of the body, letting it loop up and curl around.
  • Step 9: A Bold Contrast. Color the head with black ink for a dramatic effect.
  • Step 10: Finishing Touches. Go over your pencil lines with a black marker and erase any unnecessary marks.

Tips:

  • Start with light pencil strokes to make corrections easier.
  • Experiment with different colors and styles to personalize your monkey.
  • Have fun and let your creativity flow!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of drawing a monkey, Lets Start Step By Step and Drew The Monkey.

Step 1: Draw the Head

Head

 

Start with a light pencil stroke and draw a simple oval shape. This will be the foundation for your head. Don’t worry about making it perfectly round or symmetrical; a little irregularity can add character.

Step 2: Draw the Face

Face

To create the monkey’s face, draw a heart shape, excluding the pointed bottom. This heart-shaped outline will form the basic structure of the monkey’s face. Make sure the heart shape is positioned within the oval head you drew in the previous step.

Step 3: Bring Your Monkey to Life

Eyes, Mouth, and, Nose

Add personality to your monkey by drawing two large dots for its expressive eyes. A small, upside-down triangle below the eyes makes a cute little nose. To give your monkey a happy expression, draw a wide, curved line for a smile. For a touch of mischief, add two small curved lines above the eyes for eyebrows.

Step 4: Draw the Monkey Ears

Ears

To draw the ears for this simple monkey face, start by drawing two large, round shapes on either side of the head. These ears should be placed symmetrically, and they can be as large or as small as you like, depending on the style you’re going for. In this image, the ears are slightly curved at the top, giving the monkey a friendly and approachable look. The inner lines of the ears are drawn with a thicker outline, which helps to distinguish them from the rest of the face.

Step 5: Add Hair On The Head

Hair

To add a bit more personality to your monkey drawing, include a small tuft of hair on top of its head. This can be a simple, short, spiky shape, as shown in the image. The tuft of hair is centered on the top of the head and consists of a few curved lines that curve upward, resembling a sprout or a small burst of hair. This little detail adds charm to the monkey’s face, making it look more playful and lively.

Step 6: Add Monkey Arms

Monkey Arms

To give your monkey some arms, draw two long, slightly curved lines extending downward from each side of the head. These lines form the basic shape of the arms, which are simple and smooth. At the end of each arm, add small curved lines to suggest hands, with just a couple of short lines to indicate fingers. The arms are positioned close to the body, giving the monkey a relaxed and friendly appearance. This simple design keeps the drawing playful and easy to follow.

Step 7: Give Your Monkey Some Legs

 

Legs

To bring your monkey to life and give it a seated pose, add its legs. Start by drawing two curved lines extending downwards from the body. These will form the monkey’s thighs. At the end of each line, draw half-circle shapes to represent the feet. To connect the body and legs, draw a curved line across the bottom, connecting the ends of the thigh lines. This will give your monkey a sturdy and comfortable sitting position. Remember to adjust the length and curvature of the lines to suit your desired style and the overall proportions of your monkey.

Step 8: Add a Swishy Tail

Monkey Tail

To complete your monkey, give it a playful tail. Draw a curved line starting from the back of the body. Let it loop up and then curl around, creating a playful and dynamic look. Adjust the length and curvature of the tail to match your desired style and the overall proportions of your monkey.

Step 9: Fill the Monkey Head

Color-Head

To add a dramatic and visually striking element to your monkey drawing, color the head with a solid black ink. This bold color choice will create a stark contrast between the head and the rest of the body, making the monkey immediately pop off the page. The dark head will draw the viewer’s eye, emphasizing the monkey’s expressive features and playful personality. This technique is particularly effective in creating a sense of depth and dimension, as the black head will appear to recede slightly, while the lighter body will seem to come forward. Additionally, the contrast between the dark head and the lighter body can help to define the monkey’s shape and form, making its features more pronounced and easier to distinguish.

Step 10: Finishing Of Monkey

Final

To enhance your monkey drawing’s visual impact and professional appearance, take the time to refine your work with some finishing touches. If you initially used a pencil to sketch your monkey, go over your lines with a black marker. This will darken and define the lines, creating a clean and polished look. The contrast between the black ink and the white paper will also make your monkey stand out boldly. Once you’ve inked your drawing, carefully erase any remaining pencil marks to eliminate any unwanted lines or smudges.

Remember, starting with light pencil lines gives you the flexibility to make adjustments and refine your drawing as you go. By taking your time and paying attention to these details, you’ll create a captivating and well-executed monkey artwork that you’ll be proud to display.


Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a playful and expressive monkey drawing. By following these simple steps, you’ve learned how to draw a monkey’s head, face, body, and limbs. Remember to experiment with different styles, colors, and details to make your monkey truly unique.

Now that you’ve mastered the art of drawing monkeys, why not try creating a whole jungle scene or exploring other animal drawings? With a little practice, you’ll be a skilled artist in no time!

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