20 Fun Monkey Cartoon Drawings to Copy

The base cartoon monkey character and the foundation for the whole list. A big head, bean body, and bold outline make it read instantly. Master this and the rest are just new poses.

Step 1 draw a gentle S line of action. Step 2 hang a circle head, bean body, tube limbs, and a curling tail on it. Step 3 add a big grin, round eyes, and a thick even outline.

Keep the head a bit large relative to the body for a cartoon feel.

Don’t make the outline thin and wobbly; a bold clean line reads as cartoon.

A wide-eyed, jaw-dropped monkey caught by surprise. The big reaction is a cartoon staple. It teaches exaggerated expression.

Step 1 draw the monkey leaning back slightly. Step 2 draw huge round eyes and a big open oval mouth. Step 3 add raised brows, spread fingers, and a few surprise lines around the head.

Lean the body back so the whole pose reacts, not just the face.

Don’t keep the body still; a surprised character recoils.

A mischievous monkey winding up to launch a banana. The prank pose is full of character. It captures a monkey’s cheek.

Step 1 draw the monkey twisted in a throwing wind-up. Step 2 pull one arm back holding a banana. Step 3 add a sneaky grin and a curved arrow showing the throw path.

Twist the shoulders so the wind-up looks like it has real force.

Don’t draw the arm straight down; pull it back to load the throw.

A monkey detective on the case with a hat and magnifying glass. The props tell a whole story. It is a charming character.

Step 1 draw a crouching, searching pose. Step 2 add a deerstalker hat and hold up a magnifying glass. Step 3 enlarge one eye through the glass and add footprints on the ground.

A cool monkey riding a skateboard mid-trick. The crouched balance pose is dynamic. It is an instant favorite.

Step 1 draw a low crouched line of action leaning into the ride. Step 2 add a skateboard under the feet at a tilt. Step 3 bend the knees and throw the arms out for balance, tail streaming.

A monkey rolling on its back in fits of laughter. The whole-body laugh is big cartoon comedy. It teaches full-body emotion.

Step 1 draw a curled-up line of action on its back. Step 2 kick the legs up and clutch the belly with the arms. Step 3 squeeze the eyes shut, open a wide laughing mouth, and add laughter lines.

A comically furious monkey stomping with steam puffs. The over-the-top anger is funny, not scary. It is pure cartoon exaggeration.

Step 1 draw a stomping, hunched-forward pose with clenched fists. Step 2 slant the brows down hard and open a shouting mouth. Step 3 add steam puffs from the ears and anger marks above the head.

Slant the brows down sharply to the nose for clear anger.

Don’t make it look genuinely scary; keep the anger comic.

A monkey giving a big who-knows shrug. The raised shoulders and open palms read instantly. It is a handy reaction pose.

Step 1 draw the monkey facing forward. Step 2 raise both shoulders up toward the ears and turn the palms up. Step 3 add raised brows, a little frown, and a tilted head.

A monkey tilting its head, wondering about something. The head tilt reads as pure curiosity. It is a subtle, charming pose.

Step 1 draw the monkey standing calmly. Step 2 tilt the head to one side. Step 3 add one raised brow, a small question mark above, and a finger to the chin.

Tilt the head clearly to one side to show curiosity.

Don’t keep the head level; the tilt is what reads as curious.

A monkey deep in thought with a thought bubble overhead. The bubble lets you show what it dreams of. It is a fun storytelling idea.

Step 1 draw the monkey seated with a hand to the chin. Step 2 add a thought bubble above with small trailing circles. Step 3 draw a banana or an idea inside the bubble and a pondering face.