How to Draw a Gorilla (Easy Step by Step)
A gorilla is a fun drawing because it is built from big, simple shapes: a rounded head, a heart-shaped chest, and two long, strong arms. You can make it look tough or friendly just by changing the brow and the muzzle. It only takes a few curved lines to get a gorilla that looks ready to beat its chest.
- Medium
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a gorilla step by step
How to Draw a Gorilla · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a tall rounded arch for the top and sides of the head, a little wider near the top. Stop each side with a short slanted line curving inward at the chin, and leave the bottom open for now.
Step 3: Shoulders and arms
From each side of the chin, draw a slanted line down to a shoulder. Then curve a big rounded arm outward and down on each side, ending with a small bump for the hand.
Step 4: Neck, chest and inner arms
Draw a short curve under the chin for the neck. Then draw a heart-like shape in the middle of the chest, with a curved line on each side that follows the inside of the arm.
Step 5: Muzzle
In the lower half of the face, draw a small wide oval for the muzzle. Leave it empty inside.
Step 6: Eyes and brow
Draw two round dots for the eyes, side by side above the muzzle. Above them, draw one long curved line for the heavy brow.
Step 7: Ears
On each side of the head, next to the muzzle, draw a small C-shaped curve for an ear.
Step 8: Legs and feet
Between the arms, draw two short curved legs that start at the belly and end in flat feet near the bottom. Add little toe lines along the bottom of each foot.
Step 9: Belly line and wrists
Draw a small smile-shaped curve below the chest for the tummy. Then add a tiny short line on the inside of each wrist.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your gorilla? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a peacock or how to draw an ant next.
Tips for drawing a gorilla
- Make the arms long and wide. Gorilla arms reach almost to the ground, so start the shoulders high and let the lines curve far out to the sides.
- Keep the muzzle oval fairly big and put the eyes just above it. A large muzzle under small round eyes is what makes it look like a gorilla and not a person.
- Draw the heart-shaped chest lightly. If the two top bumps are even and the dip in the middle is centered, the whole body will look balanced.
Free gorilla coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this gorilla coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your gorilla drawing
Color the gorilla dark gray or black with a lighter brown muzzle and chest. For a creative twist, give your gorilla a jungle background with bright green leaves and a few bananas.
Gorilla fun fact for kids
Gorillas are the largest living primates, and adult males are called silverbacks because the hair on their backs turns silvery gray as they grow up.
Questions about drawing a gorilla
What shapes do I need to draw a gorilla?
You need a rounded arch for the head, a small oval for the muzzle, and a heart shape for the chest. The arms and legs are long curved lines, and the eyes are two round dots.
How do I make my gorilla look friendly?
Curve the brow line gently instead of pressing it down, and keep the eyes round and a little far apart. The small smile-shaped curve on the tummy also helps it look gentle.
How do I draw gorilla arms that look strong?
Make them wide and rounded at the top, then let them come down toward the ground. Thick, curved outlines make the arms look powerful.
