Ready to take a walk on the wild side? You'll go bananas over these step-by-step monkeys and apes drawing tutorials.
Can you tell the difference between a monkey and an ape? Both are primates. The most noticeable difference is the apes do not have tails, but almost all monkeys have long prehensile tails that they use to cling to trees.
As you draw, notice whether the animal has a tail or not. Most of the artwork is done full-bodied, but a few are portraits only.
Another difference is the size. The largest primates, like the gorilla and the chimpanzee, are apes. The smallest are monkeys. There is some overlap among the medium-sized primates, however.
Most of these primates are drawn in a realistic style. The easy monkey is a good place to start if you're still growing your skills, since it is the most simple and cartoonish in style.
However, we'll also spend some time with monkeys and apes in popular culture. You'll meet movie stars like King Kong, picture book characters like Curious George, and video game brutes like Donkey Kong. The latter is drawn in a pixel art style.
Notice, too, the great variety of shapes and facial features these animals possess. They range from the cute little marmoset to the fearsome King Kong with its long, sharp fangs.
11 Easy Monkeys & Apes Drawing Ideas
Gorilla Face
This gorilla wears a calm and kind facial
expression, much like Kala from Disney's Tarzan.
Notice the details of the fur that give it a realistic appearance.
Easy Monkey
This monkey's features have been drawn as simple lines, but it still bears some detail, like the furry patches on its head, chest, and arms. It is a good place to start before moving on to the more detailed drawings.
Baboon
Baboons are among the largest of the monkeys. You can see this one's thick fur around its head and shoulders, contrasted with the bareness of its face and rump.
Orangutan
'Orangutan' means 'old man of the forest.' Do you think this ape resembles an elderly man? It has a lot of detail, including its shaggy fur and the fleshy flanges on its face.
Marmoset
Marmosets are tiny monkeys. This species has elaborate patterns on its fur. Its tail and back are striped, and it has fan-like tufts of hair around its face.
Chimpanzee
Chimps are among the most well-known of the apes. In this picture, you can see how the chimp walks on bent fingers and toes. It also has a detailed face and fur.
King Kong
King Kong is a gorilla of massive size. In this picture, he is exhibiting a specific behavior - standing on two legs and beating his chest with his hands. Gorillas do this to display dominance and to say "Back off!"
Curious George
Curious George has been a favorite children's book and cartoon character for decades. You can draw this smiling little monkey and get ready for big adventures.
Donkey Kong Pixel Art
Donkey Kong was one of the first video game characters, born at a time well before high definition. You can master every pixel in this barrel-throwing gorilla.
Gorilla
You've completed the fictional gorillas above. Now, try your hand at this cartoonish version of the real thing. It is standing on its knuckles and hind feet.
Monkey Face
Get up close and personal with this detailed monkey face. Notice the minutiae, such as the contours of the ears and the whiskers on the chin.
