How to Draw a Spider Monkey
Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Spider Monkey" video after each step to draw at your own pace.
For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.
Step 1: Draw two circles as guides for the spider monkey's body. They should be about the same size, and their edges should touch. The circle on the right should be placed a bit lower.
Step 2: Draw a slightly smaller circle on the top left side as a guide for the spider monkey's head. The circles don't have to be perfect. They're just guides.
Step 3: Draw two curved, intersecting lines inside the head to help you place the spider monkey's facial features later on.
Step 4: Draw a series of lines that connect the circles to form the rest of the spider monkey's body.
Step 5: Draw two long lines at the front of the body as guides for the spider monkey's arms.
Step 6: Draw three more lines on the right side of the body for the spider monkey's legs and tail. Both legs will be hanging under the body. Bend the lines to indicate where the joints will be. The last guide line for the tail should be long and straight.
That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.
Step 7: Lightly sketch the spider monkey's eyes inside the head using the lines as guides for placement. The shapes of the eyes are similar to ovals. Darken the lines when you get the shapes right. Add a small dot inisde each eye for the pupils. Shade the eyes except for a tiny circle to represent glare. Add a few lines around the eyes for extra detail.
Step 8: Draw the spider monkey's nose under the eyes by using the initial lines as guides for placement. Draw two dark oval-like slits for the big nostrils. Add a few extra lines for the wrinkles around the nose.
Step 9: Draw a line under the nose for the spider monkey's mouth. Use quick, short strokes around the mouth to create the fuzzy fur and chin.
Step 10: Use more quick, short strokes to create the fur around the spider monkey's face inside the original circle. The fur line is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom of the face. The hairline curves down toward the sides of the mouth and forms the cheekbones.
Step 11: Use the initial circle as a guide to draw the rest of the spider monkey's head. Use quick, short strokes for the fur as you follow the basic path of the initial circle.
Step 12: Use the lines on the left side as guides to draw the spider monkey's arms. Follow the path of the guide as you make the arm thicker and use quick, short strokes for the fur. Make the arm skinnier at the top to create the wrist and add a few curved lines for the fingers. Use the line under the head as a guide to draw the other arm hanging down. This arm should bend a little near the middle because it's relaxed. Use a series of short curved lines at the tip of the hand for the fingers.
Step 13: Use the shapes in the middle as guides to draw the spider monkey's torso. Follow the path of the guides and use quick, short strokes for the furry texture. Add some fur inside too.
Step 14: Use the lines on the right side, under the body, as guides to draw the spider monkey's legs. Follow the basic path of the guide line as you make the shape of the leg thicker. Add the toes at the bottom. Bend the shapes of the legs to emphasize their relaxed state and hanging posture. Use quick, short strokes mostly on the right side of the legs. Don't forget to add the toes!
Step 15: Use the last line as a guide to draw the long tail. The tail is holding the spider monkey's weight, so draw it straight and taut.
Step 16: Add a branch at the top for spider monkey to hold on to. Simply draw two horizontal lines and make sure that they don't overlap the hand or tail.
Step 17 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guide lines. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. 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 for extra detail. There are different species of spider monkeys with unique coat patterns, so feel free to shade yours differently. For a black-headed spider monkey like this one, simply add a single dark value to the entire body. Add the value by using strokes that go in the general direction of the fur. Black-headed spider monkeys' coats are pretty dark, so push hard on your pencil as you add the value to the body.
Shading can be time-consuming, so be patient and take breaks. It's always a good idea to use reference for a more accurate drawing. Add some value to the branch too. Remember to pause the "How to Draw a Spider Monkey" video after each step to draw at your own pace.
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