Drawing an elephant can be an intimidating prospect. But it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple steps, you’ll be creating a realistic elephant in no time.
1. Break down the major shapes. The first step is to start off with a basic understanding of the overall look of an elephant. Step back and take a look at the entire figure; that should give you a good idea of the basic shapes that form the basis of the drawing. Look at the trunk as a long tube, the eyes as circles, and the ears as large triangles. Break it down and focus on each shape to help you get started.
2. Start with the body and move to the details. Now that you have the basic shapes of the elephant outlined, it’s time to start the detailed work. Start by drawing an oval for the body, and add two slightly larger circles for the head and hindquarters. Add the trunk, ears, and tail to complete the foundation. Once the basic structure is in place, you can start adding details such as the wrinkles and facial features.
3. Keep practicing. Drawing a realistic elephant is no small feat, but it’s certainly within your reach. When you practice, break the figure down into smaller elements and start with basic shapes, then work your way up to the details. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be creating a lifelike work of art.
4. Use real-life inspiration. It’s always helpful to take a look at real elephants in photos and videos to get an idea of their anatomy and features. Pay attention to the wrinkles and curves on the face, and don’t forget the tusks, wrinkles on the forehead, and long eyelashes. Taking a look at some life-like photos will give you valuable insight and help make your drawing as realistic as possible.
5. Pay attention to the legs. The legs of an elephant are surprisingly long and slender, and you’ll need to pay special attention to them if you want your drawing to look realistic. Make sure the number of toes is correct, and keep in mind that the hind legs are usually slightly longer than the front ones. Also, take note of the texture of the skin around the ankles and feet.
6. Experiment with the texture and colors. To bring your elephant to life, you’ll need to experiment with varying shades and textures of color. Get creative and have fun, but also make sure to keep the colors consistent with real-life elephants. For example, you’ll want to make sure your elephant has the unique wrinkles and markings that would be found on a real elephant.
7. Add a background. No drawing is complete without an appropriate background, so take a few moments to add something that accentuates your drawing. You can start by wide, sweeping lines or shapes to make it look like grass or trees, then add some colors and textures to bring the scene to life.
8. Have fun with it. As you can see, drawing a realistic elephant isn’t as daunting as it may seem. So take your time and enjoy it! Experiment with colors, textures, and backgrounds to find the perfect combination to capture the likeness of a real elephant.
