How to Draw a Cartoon Gorilla

Begin by drawing an irregular circle to outline the gorilla's head.

Next, draw a smaller circle overlapping the first.

Connect the two shapes using two curved lines, continuing to outline the gorilla's face.

On each side of the face, enclose an ear using a curved line. Draw a curved line to add detail within each ear.

Draw an oval slightly overlapping the side of the face. This oval is the beginning of the gorilla's shoulder.

Below the oval, enclose the forearm using a series of curved lines. Allow the lines to meet in jagged points, indicating fur.

Draw two curved lines to connect the shoulder to the head. Below the head, draw three connected, curved lines to outline the gorilla's chest and stomach.

Draw the other arm. Extend a short, curved line from the chest and a series of curved lines from the shoulder. Allow the lines to meet in jagged points, forming fur.

Draw the lower arm using a series of curved lines, allowing the lines to meet in jagged points.

Erase guide lines from the head and arms.

Detail the top of the head using short, curved lines that meet in jagged points. Draw the nose using two upside down "U" shaped lines. Draw two curved lines to indicate the mouth.

Erase the remaining guide lines from the head.

Detail the mouth by drawing a curved line above it. Enclose an irregular shape above the nose using a curved line. Within the shape, draw a wide, "W" shaped line to form the brow. Enclose circles beneath the brow, forming eyes, and draw several short, curved lines above the nose.

In each eye, draw a circle with two smaller circles inside it. Shade between the circles. Draw an oval in each portion of the nose, forming nostrils. Shade the nostrils.

Draw a series of curved lines, extending from the shoulder, to form the back, rump, and rear leg. Allow the lines to overlap at the hip and knee joints. Connect some of the lines in jagged points, forming the appearance of fur.

Draw two curved lines between the rear leg and arm, outlining the stomach. Draw the far rear leg in the background, using a series of curved lines connected at jagged points.

Draw the feet. Use overlapping "U" shaped lines to form the toes, connected to the leg using curved lines. Draw an irregular circle at the tip of each toe to form the toe nails. Indicate the foot on the far rear leg using a curved line.

Draw the hands using a series of curved lines. Use a "U" shaped line to form each thumb, and draw a fingernail on the tip of the thumbs. Note how the gorilla supports itself on its fingers.

Add the detail of fur to the head and arms. Draw short, connected, curved lines that meet in jagged points.

Color your gorilla. Gorillas typically have black or dark brown fur. Males, called silver backs, have a patch of white or grey fur on their backs.

For more great Safari Animals drawing tutorials, see the 31 Simple Safari Animals Drawing Ideas post.