Easy Monkey Drawing: Simple Step-by-Step for Beginners
This is the simplest way to draw a monkey — built from a circle head with a heart-shaped face patch and a bean body, with every step small enough for total beginners and kids. No shading skills, no special supplies: a pencil, an eraser and five spare minutes get you a finished, recognizable monkey drawing.
- Difficulty Easy
- Time ~7 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with a circle head with a heart-shaped face patch and a bean body
How to Draw an Easy Monkey, Step by Step
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Draw the head and face patch
A circle for the head, then a sideways heart shape (point down) inside it for the lighter face patch — this single shape is what makes it read 'monkey'. Keep the lines loose — wobbles are fine at this stage.
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Add the ears
Two big half-circle ears sticking out at the head's sides, each with an inner-ear curve. Simpler is better here: one confident line beats three careful ones.
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Draw the face
Two round eyes inside the heart's upper lobes, a small wide nose at the heart's center, and a long smiling mouth near the bottom. If it looks off, adjust the big shape rather than adding detail.
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Add the body and arms
A bean-shaped body below the head, with long arms — fingertips should reach past where knees will be — ending in simple curved hands. A rough version of this step is good enough — keep moving.
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Legs and feet
Two bent legs tucked under the bean, with feet drawn like hands (grippy, with a thumb-toe). Draw this bigger than feels natural; big shapes are easier to control.
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The tail flourish
One long tail sweeping up from the rear into a loose spiral or question-mark curl. Done is better than perfect — finish the step and move on.
Want the full detailed version?
The complete Monkey drawing tutorial covers proportions, texture and shading in depth.
Full Monkey Drawing Tutorial →Easy Monkey Drawing Ideas
A sleeping monkey curled up
Sleeping poses tuck away the legs and face details — draw one restful curve and let the pose forgive the anatomy.
A cartoon monkey with a tiny accessory
Round everything, shrink the body, add one hat/bow/scarf. Accessories add personality for nearly zero extra difficulty.
A baby monkey next to its parent
Same drawing twice at two sizes with bigger eyes on the little one — instant "aww" with skills you already have.
A monkey in its natural habitat
Add two or three environment elements behind your monkey — the scene sells the story without needing a full background.
A monkey peeking around a corner
Half the animal hides behind an edge — you draw the easy half and the composition feels playful.
Monkey face close-up portrait
Crop to just the face and make the eyes the star. Big expressive eyes carry the whole piece.
Easy Drawing Tips
- Trace your own drawing once. Tracing something you already drew builds muscle memory twice as fast as starting over.
- Finish it even if it looks wrong at step 3. Every finished easy drawing teaches the whole sequence; abandoned perfect starts teach nothing.
- Use a light pencil for the shape stage and press harder only on the final outline — being able to erase guide lines is what makes the simple method forgiving.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw a monkey?
Start with a circle head with a heart-shaped face patch and a bean body and keep every line light until the shape looks right — that's the entire method above. Most beginners get a recognizable monkey drawing on the first try because each step is one simple move.
Can kids follow this monkey drawing tutorial?
Yes — this version was written for young artists: big forgiving shapes, no shading, no fine details. Ages 5-6 and up can usually follow along with a little help reading the steps.
How long does the easy version take?
About five minutes for the basic drawing — roughly half the time of the full tutorial. Adding color takes another few minutes.
