I’ve been fortunate enough to draw many remarkable primates in my travels, and these pencil drawings reflect not only my drawing skills but also the stories behind these encounters.
Just one word before you scroll. I know these are APES and monkeys. After years of selling my art to the general public, I have learned to accept that the public says ‘monkey’ even when they mean ‘ape’. It’s just one of those things.
I won’t waffle on with too much info, you want to see the drawings, right? If you want to know more you can follow the links.
Here are my top 12 Monkey Drawings, each with its own background story for context.
Cute Baby Chimp Drawing
“Fingers and Thumbs” – A Baby Chimp Pencil Drawing
I spotted this baby chimp at Ol Pejeta in Kenya, a sanctuary supported by the Jane Goodall Foundation. These play in giving these young chimps a second chance at life.
This drawing was a labor of love—every wrinkle and expression etched with care, you can’t go far wrong with a baby chimp, can you?
Mom and Baby Monkey Art
“A Family Portrait” – Mother and Baby Douc Langur Monkey
The douc langur is one of the world’s most beautiful monkeys, with its vibrant coat and expressive eyes. I captured this mother and baby in Vietnam’s Coq Phuong National Park, part of a breeding program supported by Frankfurt Zoo.
I wanted to portray the tender bond between Mom and baby, a moment of connection and care. It’s a contrivance, I had to draw the baby on Mom’s lap, but that’s allowed; why not? It’s one of my more striking pieces of rare monkeys, seldom seen in art.
Black and White Monkey Art
© Kevin Hayler
“Balancing Ringtail” – Ring-Tailed Lemur; an Old World Monkey
This early drawing of a ring-tailed lemur, sketched from a photo I took at Marwell Zoo in the UK, was an interesting challenge. Its long, thin composition made it tricky to frame, but I loved the chance to capture the lemur’s classic tail and delicate balancing act. Even though the composition was a mistake in hindsight, I managed to sell my prints.
“Grumpy Monkey” – Pygmy Marmoset; a New World Monkey
Pygmy marmosets are as adorable as they are tiny, and this study stands out as one of my more playful drawings. With its fluffy fur and seemingly grouchy expression, this little monkey looks both endearing and slightly annoyed. I loved capturing its unique character; it’s not a monkey most people are familiar with, which makes this drawing all the more special.
Baby Chimpanzee Drawing
“Best Behaviour” – Baby Chimpanzee Illustration
This baby chimp was my second attempt at capturing the charm of the young chimps at Ol Pejeta. I found it nearly impossible to choose between photos, so I ended up drawing two versions.
This one has a slightly different expression and pose, perhaps a bit more relaxed. It’s fascinating how a change in pose or glance can alter the entire feel of a drawing.
Mom and Baby Orangutan Drawing
“Baby on Board” – Mother and Baby Orangutan Drawing
Orangutans hold a special place in my heart, and seeing a mother and baby at Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo was unforgettable. These semi-wild orangutans, supported by conservation efforts, inspired this drawing.
I wanted to convey the closeness between mother and child and the gentle way she carried her baby on her back.
This composition works because we have eye contact with both animals.
Beautiful Lowland Gorilla Drawing
“Time to Think” – Female Lowland Gorilla Drawing
Gorillas have a quiet depth, and this female was no exception. She was part of a conservation project by the John Aspinall Foundation at Howletts Zoo. I wanted this piece to reflect a sense of introspection; she seemed lost in thought.
Capturing her subtle, thoughtful expression was challenging but rewarding, and I think it speaks to the intelligence and calm strength of gorillas.
Ring-Tailed Lemur Drawing
“Heads and Tails” – Three Ring-Tailed Lemurs
This drawing captures a trio of ring-tailed lemurs huddling together at Drusillas Zoo in the UK. I found it endearing the way they leaned onto one another, their heads and tails intertwining in a cozy knot of friendship.
It’s a reminder of the social nature of lemurs, and I loved the symmetry that emerged in this composition.
Proboscis Monkey Drawing
A Pencil Drawing by Kevin Hayler
“Proboscis Monkeys” – Mother and Baby Proboscis Monkey
The proboscis monkey is truly a unique creature with its odd appearance and large nose. In this drawing, a mother cradles her baby as they share a quiet moment.
This drawing stands out as one of my more unusual drawings. It’s always a pleasure to introduce people to these lesser-known species, especially one as fascinating as the proboscis monkey.
Male Orangutan Art Illustration
“Enigmatic Ape” – Male Orangutan Pencil Portrait
This big male orangutan was at Camp Leakey in Borneo’s Tanjung Puting National Park. There’s an intensity in his gaze that I wanted to capture in this drawing—the wisdom and strength of an animal who commands attention without needing to move.
The detail in his face, from his fur to the deep set of his eyes, demanded a lot of patience and took a great deal of time to get right. It was worth it.
Realistic Spider Monkey Drawing
“Out on a Limb” – A Spider Monkey Pencil Drawing
This spider monkey was hanging effortlessly from a branch at Singapore Zoo, his tail curving down in a graceful spiral. There’s something almost lyrical about how these monkeys move, and I wanted this drawing to feel as fluid as the spider monkey’s natural grace.
This is one of my favorite drawings. It’s a very unusual composition.
Wild Silverback Gorilla Drawing
“Father Figure” – Wild Silverback Mountain Gorilla
Drawing a wild mountain gorilla after visiting Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was a privilege. This silverback was the leader of his troop, a powerful, yet gentle figure, who commands respect. Seeing him and his family, up close, was incredible.
Visitors have one hour and it passes in the blink of an eye. This drawing means a lot to me because it was wild. It’s not just a drawing, it’s a memory and experience.
Monkey Art Pencil Drawings: Final Thoughts
What do you think? These drawings were made over a 20-year time frame. Some are better than others, some prints sold well, others didn’t.
I learned that obscure monkeys get compliments but not sales. I didn’t even print my Spider and Proboscis monkeys for that reason. It’s a shame because I think my Spider Monkey is a good drawing.
Most people want and buy prints of the great apes, and that’s OK.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen all of the great apes, you see here, in the wild, and lucky enough to have seen them while it was still affordable. The world has changed.
I hope you have found these ape and monkey drawings interesting. If you want to draw like this I have many tips to help you out. Or if you want to sell your art and travel the world like I do. I wrote this guide:
If you are more interested in the drawings themselves, I have many more.
You Can See More of My Drawings Here & Here
You may like to read the following articles:
- 12 Wildlife Art Bestsellers (Use These Subjects to Make Money)
- The Wildlife Drawings of Kevin Hayler
- 25 Realistic Animal Drawings
- How to Start Drawing Wildlife and Become a Wildlife Artist
- 6 Realistic Elephant Drawings in Pencil
- 7 Bird Art Bestsellers: Best Wall Art Selling Guide
- 9 Farm Animal Art Bestsellers: Home Decor That Sells!
- How to Draw Realistically: 11 Realistic Drawing Tips
- How to Draw a Realistic Giraffe: Step by Step and Get Great Results
- 9 Ways of Framing on a Budget You Need to Know!
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy