In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Gorilla in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Gorilla.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Gorilla - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Start with the gorilla's head. Make the bottom jaw smaller and narrower than the flat top of the head.
Step 2: At the very tip of the lower jaw draw a short curve to make the mouth line. Just above that along the snout line draw a large round nose. Just above that add two small eyes. Directly behind the eyes draw a half circle shaped ear.
Step 3: Draw a long curved line for the back. The back end is a round bump that curves down.
Step 4: Now draw the thick front arm. The shoulder starts right under the ear. The shoulder curves to the right and then to the left down into the hand. Gorillas walk on their knuckles. Bend the fingers back along the bottom. Curve the line that makes the back of the arm up almost to the back line. Draw a short curved line about halfway along that line to make the belly line.
Step 5: Now add another thick front arm. The right side of the second arm starts right under the snout. It goes straight down into the knuckle bottomed hand. Then it comes back up to the shoulder line.
Step 6: Next draw a hind leg continuing the rump line down toward the hind foot. It should be just as thick as the front arm. Bring the front of the leg line up almost to the back line.
Step 7: Finally, add another hind leg halfway along the back of the first hind leg. It will be shorter than the other hind leg but just as thick.
Interesting Facts about Gorillas
Gorillas are the largest family of primates. They live in central Africa and are ground-dwelling plant-eaters.
Humans and chimpanzees are the closest relatives to the gorilla, which all evolved from a common ancestor about 7 million years ago.
Did you know?
- Gorillas generally use a method called knuckle-walking to move around.
- Because of the water-laden plants they eat, gorillas seldom drink water.
- Gorillas live in troops, which include one male (silverback), several females and their babies.
- In the event of an attack by leopards, humans or other gorillas, a silverback will defend the troop until it wards of the predators or dies.
- The male gorilla is the leader. He will determine where the troop travels and will intercept conflicts.
- Mother gorillas are primary caregivers to baby gorillas and the male assists in teaching the babies social skills.
- Wild male gorillas weigh up to 400 pounds, with females weighing about half as much.
- Gorillas in captivity can weigh as much as 600 pounds, which is considered obese for a gorilla.
Gorillas have long been popular our culture and media; featured in art, movies, cartoons, music, literature and video games.
How to Draw A Gorilla – Quick Step-by-Step Tutorial