How to Draw a Gorilla

Step 1: Big head

Near the top, draw a big round head, a little wider than tall, with full cheeks and a flatter chin.

Tip Make it big: half the whole gorilla. Leave room below for the body.

Step 2: Tall top and ears

Draw a tall dome from the head's top left over to its top right. Add a C ear each side.

Tip Rub out the head line under the dome. Smaller C in each ear.

Step 3: Face, brow and eyes

Draw a face patch, dipped on top. Curve a brow from side across to side, then 2 big egg eyes.

Tip Black dot low in each eye, plus a shine. Gap under the brow.

Step 4: Nose and smile

Colour 2 nostril dots under the eyes. Smile: start under the left eye, a wide U, stop under the right.

Step 5: Wide body

From each cheek, draw a big C down for the body sides. Join the ends with a sagging curve.

Tip The sides bulge out wide. Add an oval in the middle for the chest.

Step 6: Right arm

Start under the head on the right. Draw a long arm down to a big round fist, then back up.

Tip Bend it out at the elbow and in at the wrist. Add a wrist curve and 2 finger lines.

Step 7: Left arm

Start under the head on the left. Draw the other long arm down to a round fist, then back up.

Tip Add a wrist curve and 2 finger lines on this fist too.

Step 8: Two feet

From the bottom line, draw a short leg down to a round bun foot and back up. One each side.

Tip Leave a small gap between the feet. Add 2 toe lines on each.

Step 9: The ground

Draw a long ground line right under the feet and fists, from one side of the paper to the other.

Tip Rub out any ground line inside a foot or fist.

Step 10: Grey face and chest

Colour the face, inner ears, chest, fists and feet a lighter grey. Go over your lines.

Tip Keep the eyes white.

Step 11: Dark grey fur

Colour the head, brow, ears, body and both arms dark grey, around the light grey parts.