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To draw this Chimpanzee step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. The new lines in each step are shown in red, so you'll know exactly what to sketch next. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and create art at your own pace.

Materials You’ll Need

Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies:

Pencil (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)
Eraser
Black ink pen or marker
Drawing paper

For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.

Start with Simple Lines and Shapes

Step 1: Draw two circles as guides for the chimpanzee's body. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides. The circle on the left should be a bit smaller than the one on the right. The circle on the left should also be placed lower than the one on the right. Don't place them too far apart, otherwise your chimp will end up too long.

Step 2: Draw a smaller circle on the top right side as a guide for the head. This circle should be about one-fourth the size of the first one.

Step 3: Under the circle, draw an arc similar to the letter U for the jaw and chin.

Step 4: Draw two intersecting lines inside the entire head shape to help you when drawing the facial features later on. Bend the lines so that they contour to the shape of the head.

Step 5: Draw a small C-shaped arc on the left side of the head as a guide for the ear.

Step 6: Draw a series of curved lines that connects the major shapes to form the body.

Step 7: Draw two lines under the front part of the body as guides for the arms. Draw a small oval at the end of each line as guides for the hands.

Finish Up the "Skeleton"

Step 8: Draw two more lines on the left side of the body as a guide for the legs. Bend the lines to indicate the joints in the leg and add small ovals at the ends of the lines as the guides for the feet.

That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.

Now Add Details

Step 9: Draw the eyes inside the head by using the lines as guides for placement. Darken the lines so that the resulting shapes are similar to little footballs. Draw a couple of lines inside the shape to indicate the actual eyeball. Shade the inside of the eye except for a tiny circle to represent glare. Use a darker value inside the eye for the pupil. Add a few lines around the chimp's eye for detail. Chimpanzees have many wrinkles around their eyes, so draw plenty of lines surrounding them. The wrinkles should follow the basic curvature of the eyes.

Step 10: Draw the nose under the eyes on the lower part of the initial circle. First draw two small slits for the nostrils. Then draw a few lines above them for the outer nose structure.

Step 11: Draw the mouth on the lower part of the head under the nose. Draw a line near the middle of the U-shaped arc for the mouth. Then connect the right side of the mouth with the right side of the nose. Draw a few more small lines under the mouth for the right side of the chin.

Step 12: Draw the detail on the chin using the bottom of the U-shaped arc as a guide. Use quick, short strokes as you follow the path of the guide to give the chin a fuzzy texture.

Step 13: Use the C-shaped arc as a guide to draw the ear. Add a few lines inside the shape for the inner ear structure. Draw a small arc on the right side of the head for the ear on the other side.

Step 14: Draw a few more lines inside the head for extra detail. Draw small lines around the eye for wrinkles. Draw a longer line above the eyes for the thick brow. Add a line on the right to finish the chimp's face.

Step 15: Draw the rest of the head using the remaining lines as guides. Use quick, short strokes as you follow the basic path of the entire head shape for a hairy look.

Stay Patient and Keep Drawing

Step 16: Use the lines on the right as guides to draw the arms. Lightly sketch the shape of the arm and hand as you follow the path of the line. When you get the structure right, darken the lines using quick, short strokes for the hair. Use the oval at the bottom as a guide to draw the hand. Chimps walk on their knuckles, so draw the bent finger using curved lines. Draw some lines in the hands for detail. Draw the arm on the other side by using the other line as a guide. Draw it the same way by lightly sketching the shape first and only darkening the lines when you get the structure right. Draw the hand by using the oval as a guide. Draw the thumb near the top and curved lines for the folded fingers at the bottom.

Step 17: Now use the lines on the left as guides to draw the legs and feet using the same technique. Follow the basic path of the guide line as you lightly sketch the shape of the leg. Use quick, short strokes as you darken the shape of the leg for a hairy look. Bend the shape near the middle to create the knee. Use the oval at the end of the line to draw the foot and toes. Use the same technique to draw the other leg. The chimp is stepping forward, so this leg is stretched out, and the knee isn't as pronounced. Draw the opposable toe and the toes at the tip.

Step 18: Use the remaining lines as guides to draw the rest of the body.

Now It's Time to Shade

Step 19 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of them. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines that you may have accidentally erased.

Final Step (optional): Add some shading to your drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value.

Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the chimp so it doesn't appear to be floating.

You can add more value throughout your drawing for extra detail. Add the value by using strokes that go in the general direction of the fur. Try to shade evenly as you add value for a smooth, even look instead of a rough, gritty texture. It's always a good idea to use reference for accuracy. Remember to pause the video to draw at your own pace.

Draw Chimpanzee

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