Elephants are magnificent creatures, renowned as the largest land animals on the planet. While there are various species of elephants, they share similar features, making it easier to draw an elephant. In this article, we will provide you with simple, step-by-step instructions to help you create your own elephant drawing.
Materials Needed for Elephant Drawings
To begin your elephant drawing, gather the following materials:
- A white sheet of paper or card stock
- A pencil
- An eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons (refer to this post for recommendations on the best markers for coloring and doodling)
How to Draw an Elephant
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a simple elephant drawing:
- Start by drawing a slightly smaller circle at the top, leaving an opening at the bottom. This forms the elephant’s head. Inside the circle opening, draw a long trunk that curves to one side. The trunk serves as the focal point of your drawing.
- Add large ears by drawing two curved lines on each side of the elephant’s head. Outline the ears to create dimension.
- Draw the shape of the elephant’s body and front legs. Create a downward slope to represent the shoulder and draw two stumpy legs. Connect the legs with a line to form the underbelly.
- Outline the back legs by drawing oval shapes on each side of the elephant’s body. Add an additional line for dimension. Connect the oval shapes to the body with a curved line.
- Add details to the elephant’s outline. Draw tiny half circles to represent the toes, add lines to depict wrinkles on the ears and trunk, and create large black eyes. For an extra touch of cuteness, you can even include a flower in the elephant’s trunk. If desired, add a small tuft of hair on top of the head to depict a young elephant.
- Color your elephant using gray for the body and ear outline, and pink for the cheeks and inner ears. However, feel free to use any colors you prefer. If you want to depict an Asian elephant or an African elephant, you may choose to use brown instead of gray.
My Favorite Drawing Materials
When creating drawings, I personally love using colored pencils or markers. These materials offer seamless application and do not smudge. If you prefer painting, you may opt for watercolors or acrylic paint when creating your elephant drawing.
Tips and Tricks for Drawing Elephants
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to enhance your elephant drawing:
- Start with a pencil instead of a pen or marker to easily correct any mistakes.
- While this drawing portrays a cartoon elephant, you can customize it to create a more realistic depiction. Consider adding tusks to the trunk or shading while coloring for added realism.
- You don’t have to draw the entire elephant; you can focus solely on the elephant’s face.
- Large ears are essential for creating an adorable elephant drawing.
- Get creative with the items your elephant can hold in its trunk, such as a balloon, bucket, heart, and more.
How to Utilize Your Elephant Drawing
Here are a few fun ideas to inspire you:
- Use this tutorial to create elephant-themed painted rocks.
- Design unique greeting cards featuring your elephant drawing.
- Create a personalized coloring page.
- Draw the elephant on top of a wrapped gift.
- Paint your elephant on a canvas to craft your own wall art.
- Make your own elephant stickers.
No matter where you choose to showcase your elephant sketch, it is sure to impress! Drawing an elephant, or any animal, offers a simple way to unwind after a stressful day. Remember, drawing is all about combining basic shapes to form a larger picture. Grab a sheet of paper and let your creativity flow.
If you’re seeking more drawing inspiration, check out these additional drawing tutorials and ideas:
- 36 Cute Things to Draw: Explore the joy of drawing cute animals and objects in your bullet journals and doodle pads. These illustrations also work wonderfully on greeting cards.
- How to Draw a Cat: Learn to draw a simple cat using easy-to-follow instructions. These drawings are perfect for kids’ artwork or thank-you cards.
- How to Draw a Cute Dog
- How to Draw a Hedgehog: Discover how effortless it is to draw this charming forest friend on paper or in your journal.
Remember, sharing is caring! Share your elephant drawing creations with others and inspire their artistic journeys.
