How to Draw a Monkey on a Tree

There is nothing more natural than a monkey hanging out amongst the leaves. You can draw a monkey on a tree with lines, circles and other simple shapes that transform into a picturesque rendition of a natural setting.

Things You'll Need

• Pen or other drawing instrument
• Paper

Instructions

1. 

   Start with the tree base. Draw two bold lines to serve as either side of the tree trunk. Add some jagged lines at the bottom to depict the tree’s roots. Have several other straight lines coming off the top of the trunk to act as the branches.

2. 

   Begin drawing the monkey. Draw a circle below one of your tree branches. This will be your monkey’s jaw. Make sure the circle is not attached to anything and far enough away from the tree branch so the monkey can be dangling. Draw a horizontal upwardly curved line in the circle so it appears the monkey is smiling.

3. 

   Continue illustrating the monkey. Draw two circles with dots inside above his jaw for his eyeballs. Draw an oval below his chin for his belly. Add a dot for a belly button. Draw lines coming off the sides of the oval to serve as his arms and legs. Loop his hands around the branch by drawing a small portion above the branch and the arm coming out below, leaving a blank space where the tree branch is. Add a squiggly line for his tail.

4. 

   Top off the monkey’s head. Add two semi-circles on either side of his eyes for ears. Add jagged lines above his eyes and between his ears for hair.

5. 

   Finish off the tree. Add more lines for more branches. Use lines to detail the tree’s bark. Draw triangular and oval shapes to fill in the tree’s leaves.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add variations to the tree by adding flowering leaves, snow caps or fruit such as bananas.

• You can have variations by placing the monkey on a tire swing, wicker swing, hammock or have him hanging by his tail from a tree branch. He may also want to be dressed in a scarf, knit cap and mittens if the tree branches have snow on them.

• If you'd rather your monkey be sitting on the tree, draw his jaw high enough above a branch to accommodate his body. Follow the rest of the steps to draw his body, with his legs and tail dangling down from the branch.