How to Draw a Capuchin Monkey

Capuchin monkeys are most famous as the monkeys that accompany organ grinders. They have appeared in many movies, including a famous turn in "Raiders of the Lost Ark," where the monkey tried to betray lead character Indiana Jones. This tutorial will show you how to draw this monkey.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper or sketchbook
• Pencil (ranging from 2B to 2H)
• Eraser

1. 
    
   Make the eyes as expressive as you can.

   Focus first on the eyes, which are the monkey's strongest feature. Draw two medium-sized orbs using a thicker lead, such as 2B. Leave an eye's space between the two. Lightly trace the eye's shape with a 2H pencil to make it seem three-dimensional. Erase any stray marks.

2. 
    
   Use the 2B pencil for the nose and mouth area.

   Now to add the nose and the mouth. Use the 2B area to draw the black mass under the eyes for the nose and then with the same pencil, draw the mouth, which always seems to be turned down in a pout.

3. 
    
   Use light strokes to show the furriness of its head.

   Now outline the rest of the monkey's head using a 2H pencil. Note where you are going to darken areas. Remember that the monkey's anatomy is nearly like a human's, but not quite. Use light lines to show furry areas, like on the top of the head and the bottom.

4. 
    
   Now the full form should nearly be finished.

   Start putting the final touches on the monkey. Alternate between 2H and 2B for various effects, like darker fur in some areas and lighter in others. Make sure that the anatomy is correct.

5. 
    
   The finished product.

   Erase any stray marks that you see, tighten up anything that you see fit and then sign your drawing.

Tips & Warnings

• Study photos of capuchins and use them for reference.
• If there is a zoo nearby, try to draw them there.

Resources

• Click here for a link to a book on how to draw various animals.