How to Draw a Monkey (Easy Step by Step)
This monkey is built mostly from circles, which makes it a great first animal for kids. You will draw a round head, round ears, hands, feet and a round belly. A heart-shaped face, a little curl on top and a curly tail give it lots of personality.
- Easy
- 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 monkey step by step
How to Draw a Monkey · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Head and face
Draw a big circle near the top of the page for the monkey's head. Inside it, add two dot eyes, two tiny nose dots and a little smile curve.
Step 3: Body sides
Draw two curved lines going down and out from the bottom of the head, like shoulders. Then draw a short curve near the bottom of the page, where the base of the body will go.
Step 4: Round ears
Draw a circle on each side of the head so it tucks behind the head's edge. Then draw a small circle inside each ear.
Step 5: Hands
On the left, draw a small circle for a hand. On the right, draw a curled hook shape for the other hand. Add a few tiny marks near the bottom, where the feet will go.
Step 6: Feet
At the bottom, draw two round circles side by side for the feet. Add a little smile curve inside each one, and a short line joining each foot up to the body.
Step 7: The tummy
In the middle of the body, draw a round circle for the belly. Leave some space around it so it floats in the middle.
Step 8: Heart face and curl
Around the eyes, nose and smile, draw a heart shape with the point at the bottom. Then add a small curly hook on top of the head.
Step 9: Tail and leaf
On the left, draw a long wavy line that ends in a curly spiral. On the right, draw a curved leaf shape that points up, behind the hand.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your monkey? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a pig or how to draw a cow next.
Tips for drawing a monkey
- The ears are the trickiest part. Draw the head first, then draw each ear circle so it tucks behind the head, so the lines do not cross.
- For the heart face, start with two small bumps at the top and bring both sides down to a point. Draw it lightly in pencil first so you can fix it.
- Draw the curly tail slowly, starting with the long wavy line and ending with a small spiral. Try the swirl on scrap paper first.
Free monkey coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this monkey 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 monkey drawing
Try warm browns for the fur and a light tan for the heart face, tummy, ears, hands, and feet. For a creative twist, make a rainbow monkey with a different bright color on every circle.
Monkey fun fact for kids
Spider monkeys of Central and South America can wrap their tails around branches and hang from them, using the tail almost like a fifth hand.
Questions about drawing a monkey
What shapes do I need to draw a monkey?
You mostly need circles: a big one for the head, small ones for the ears, hands and feet, and a round one for the belly. Add a heart around the face and a wavy line for the tail.
How do I make my monkey look cuter?
Keep the eyes small and add a happy smile inside the heart. Making the ears extra large also makes it look sweeter.
How do I draw a monkey tail?
Start with a long wavy line coming out near the body, then curl the end into a small spiral. Draw it lightly first, then go over it when you like the shape.
