Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Mandrill" video after each step to draw at your own pace.

Time-Lapse (Speed Drawing) video:

Written step-by-step video tutorial:

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

Step 1: Draw a circle as a guide for the front part of the mandrill monkey's body. First make four small marks to indicate the circle's height and width. Then connect the marks using curved lines. If you're struggling drawing the circle, trace the outer rim of a coin, a lid or any other object with a circular edge. For a more detailed guide on the different ways to draw a circle, check out this tutorial: Four simple ways to draw a circle.

Step 2: Draw another circle to the right as a guide for the second half of the mandrill's body. Use the four marks method to draw this circle the same way. The two circles should be about the same size. The edges of the circles should be touching. Sketch lightly so that it's easy to erase if you make a mistake.

Step 3: Draw another circle on the top, left side as a guide for the monkey's head. Mandrills have big heads compared to their bodies, so this circle should be about two- thirds the size of the first circle. Make sure the edges of these two circles are touching too.

Step 4: Under the head, draw a curved line similar to the letter U as a guide for the lower part of the mandrill's head.

Step 5: Draw a curved line across the head to help you add the mandrill's facial features later. Add a shorter curved line on the top, left side of the head for another construction line.