Use the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to draw a Silverback Gorilla. Follow along with the video, or use the images in this article. By the end of this tutorial, even beginners will have a completed drawing of this powerful primate!

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To draw this gorilla step by step, follow along with the video tutorial below and pause the video after each step to go at your own pace. You may find it easier to follow the step-by-step images below the video. You may want to open the video in a new tab and use both drawing methods. Take your time and create art at your own pace.

Materials You'll Need Before starting, gather these basic drawing supplies from Blick Art Materials. If you choose to purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Pencils (an HB lead pencil is best for light sketches)	Kneaded Eraser	Drawing Paper

Step 1: Head Guides

Start by sketching the foundational shapes for the gorilla's head and body. Make sure your lines are light so they can be easily cleaned up later.

Sketch Proportional Circles

• Head Circle: Create a circle as a guide for the head. To easily draw a circle, make small marks with your pencil to establish the height and width. Then connect the marks with curved lines. If you have trouble drawing circles freehand, you can trace the edge of a circular object, such as a coin or bottle cap.
• Mouth Area: Draw a smaller circle below the center. A large portion of this circle should sit outside the main head boundary. Add short curved lines to the sides to widen the bottom section of the head.

Construction Guidelines

• Facial Cross: Inside the head circle, add a curved horizontal line slightly below the center and a vertical line crossing through it.
• Sagittal Crest: Place a small mark above the main circle to indicate the top of the head. Connect it to the shapes below using curved lines to establish a tall, powerful crest guide.

Step 2: Body and Arm Guidelines

Build the large, muscular proportions of the gorilla's torso and powerful front limbs.

Torso and Arms

• Main Body: Draw a large circle below and slightly to the left of the head using the mark method. This shape should be nearly twice the size of the entire head structure.
• First Arm: Place a shoulder circle to the left of the head, roughly matching the size of your original head guide. Extend a sloping line down to an elbow joint circle, make the forearm lines wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and finish with circles for hands and a horizontal lines for the knuckles at the bottom.
• Second Arm: Draw a shoulder circle on the right side of the head without overlapping it. Then draw the second arm the same way as the first.

Step 3: Lower Body and Leg Guides

Before moving on to the details, establish the gorilla's lower body guides to finish up your initial guidelines sketch.

Lower Torso and Hind Limbs

• Torso: Draw a long, curved line down the left side of the body circle to block out the lower section of the torso.
• First Leg: Sketch a large oval shape for the upper thigh, followed by a pair of vertical lines for the lower leg. Place a flat-bottomed half-circle at the very bottom for the foot.
• Second Leg : Add a long, angled line on the other side of the body as a guide for the visible portion of the second leg.

Step 4: Facial Features and Details

Refine the face by adding features that capture the intense, intelligent expression of a gorilla.

Eyes and Nose

• Eyes: Sketch two small ovals resting on the horizontal construction guide, split by the vertical line. Darken the corners to make them pointy, add inner irises, and place tiny dots for the pupils. Frame them with tight eyelids and under-eye wrinkles.
• Brow and Bridge: Create a thick, heavy brow ridge with long sloping lines that curve downward at the tips. Detail the bridge of the nose with short vertical lines between the eyes.
• Nostrils: Outline the outer nose using two large parenthesis-like curves. Place short, angled nostril shapes close together inside and finish with small curved lines at the base.

Mouth and Hair Texture

• Mouth Line: Draw a wide horizontal line for the mouth, curving the outer tips downward. Add a curved chin line underneath and define the side of the face.
• Head Fur: Form a small ear on the left with inner structural lines. Use a series of short, angled, jagged strokes along the outer head and crest guides to build a realistic, furry texture.

Step 5: Arms, Legs, and Torso Definition

Darken your structural outlines and apply a realistic fur texture across the entire body.

Limbs and Musculature

• Forelimbs: Trace the outer edges of both arm guides using jagged, short strokes to simulate thick fur. Add horizontal skin wrinkles across the knuckles. Define individual fingers with vertical lines, ensuring the thumb on the right arm is drawn as a distinct, higher U-shaped line.
• Chest: Curve the inner line of the right arm shape to construct the pectoral area, adding horizontal crease lines across the torso.
• Hind Limbs and Feet: Outline the muscle structure of the left leg, adding a curved line for the knee. Sketch small toe shapes along the foot guide, including a large, opposable toe on the right side of the foot. Darken the visible lines of the right leg.

Step 6: Shading and Final Textures

Clean up your sketch and add shading to give your primate three-dimensional volume.

Finishing Touches

• Erasing: Carefully lift away all remaining circular and linear skeleton guides. Redraw any details that you accidentally erased.
• Tone and Shadows: First layer a light-to-medium value across the gorilla. Slowly deepen the values in areas like the under-chest, belly, and inner limbs to cast realistic shadows. Leave thin, unshaded areas on the upper shoulders, brow, and muscle peaks to create highlights.
• Cast Shadow: Anchor your drawing by adding a soft, blended shadow directly beneath the gorilla's knuckles and feet. Go over your primary lines one final time to emphasize the details.

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