In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Sumatran Orangutan in 7 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Sumatran Orangutan.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Sumatran Orangutan - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Let's start with the head. Draw a line that curves downwards.
Step 2: Now let's detail the face. Draw the eyes, the nose, the mouth and a line that contours the orangutan's features.
Step 3: Draw the right arm and a part of the body. Draw a hand that looks like yours, and make small wedges with the line for the oragutan's long red hair!
Step 4: Now draw his other arm and hand going upwards, and again with the wedging line for his hair.
Step 5: We're getting there! Draw his right leg by making the line slide to the right. Then make a moon shape for his foot.
Step 6: Draw the other leg and moon shaped foot. Oragutans are great climbers, and have feet that look like hands to grip the branches!
Step 7: Almost done - all you need to do is draw two thin vines that run in between his hands, and a small curved line for his stomach.
Interesting Facts about Sumatran Orangutans
Sumatran Orangutans are only found in the tropical forests of Sumatran, Indonesia. They have long arms and legs that they use to swing between tall trees. Their feet and hands are very much like a human’s, but both hands and feet are able to grab hold of branches. Their bodies are covered in shaggy red orange hair. They eat bugs, leaves, and fruit. A male Sumatran Orangutan will grow to 4 feet tall! And females are smaller, but still reach 3 feet tall! That’s the size of a small child!
Did you know?
- When a group of Sumatran Orangutans are together it will always be one male with a bunch of females. Rival males are chased off, sometimes by the females.
- Indonesia law protects the Sumatran Orangutan from being sold on the pet market. Although poachers have been known to sell the curious ones that stumble into camp.
- Since the northern part of Sumatran is the only true remaining population of the orangutans, there are proposals for that area to become a national park.
- Sumatran Orangutans only produce babies every 9 years. This is why many think the animal is critically endangered.
- A male will live 58 years in the wild. A female will live to be 53 years old in wild.
Lesson Plan Note: Since Sumatran Orangutans are found on Sumatran, a great study would be this unique island and the plants and animals that are found it.
How to Draw a Sumatran Orangutan – Step-by-Step Tutorial