How to draw an elephant (Photo and video tutorials)

Ever had that itch to grab a pencil, summon your inner artist, and bring a majestic elephant to life on paper? Look no further.

In our latest drawing tutorial, we’re diving trunk-first into the wild world of elephants, and you’re invited to tag along. Wrestle no more with proportions or ponder over textures; I’ve got your back.

By the end of this journey, you’ll be fluent in the language of lines and shading, unlocking the secrets to sketching everything from the gentle curve of the elephant’s ear to the unique wrinkles of its enigmatic skin. Ready for a productive adventure?

We’re not just dabbling in doodles. We’ll dissect every necessary step—starting from the anatomy of an elephant to the finesse of a pencil drawing.

You’ll emerge with not just a stunning creation, but a wealth of art techniques under your belt.

Prepare to elevate your artistic perspective. Your canvas awaits.

Awesome tutorials on how to draw an elephant

How to Draw an Elephant Step by Step

In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw an elephant from scratch. It is ideal for beginners and you will understand how to plan the pose, choose the right proportions and how to put all the body parts and their details. It’s really not as difficult as you think it seems!

How to Draw an Elephant – Step by Step Elephant Drawing Tutorial

Find out how to draw an elephant easy and fast using the steps that are described in this drawing tutorial. This elephant that you will see in the tutorial has a cartoon look and it can be a fun one for all ages.

How to Draw an African Elephant

If you want a simple tutorial that will teach you how to draw a cartoon elephant, then this should be the one that you check. It doesn’t take too much of your time and soon enough you will be able to draw elephants in different poses.

How to Draw Animals: Elephants, Their Species and Anatomy

Elephants are indeed special animals; you will never find a similar one. This means that they can also be a bit tricky to draw because they look so simple. This tutorial is going to teach you how to make an elephant sketch in any pose you want.

How to Draw a Cartoon Elephant – VIDEO & Step-by-Step Pictures

In this video tutorial, you will find all the steps you need in order to create your own elephant drawing. Take your time and find your own pace. Your elephant drawings for sure are going to become better after you finish this tutorial.

How to Draw a baby Elephant

Elephants are interesting animals. Drawing one can be easy and fun if you follow this guide. Just give it a go and be amazed at what you will be able to start creating. Chances are quite big that you will enjoy this type of tutorial and maybe try similar ones in the future.

How to Draw a Realistic Elephant

This tutorial has 8 steps that will show you how to draw an elephant in a realistic way. It’s great for any beginner artist or kid that wants to explore something new.

How to draw an elephant

This is a step-by-step video tutorial that makes you understand the elephant correctly from the anatomical point of view. It demonstrates how you should approach an African elephant profile, how to block it in simple shapes and cover very basic its anatomy structure so you understand what lies under the skin.

Learn How to Draw an Elephant in Just 5 Easy Steps

Practice your skills and learn how to draw an elephant by just using 5 steps. Elephants with their big floppy ears and long trunk are a great subject to be drawn on paper. What is also cool is that you can learn how to draw an elephant really fast!

Another tutorial on drawing an Elephant

Elephants are large animals. This tutorial is a simple one that will make elephant drawing easy if you follow all the steps that are described.

How to Draw a Baby Elephant

If you go for this tutorial you will understand how to draw a baby elephant by doing just 4 easy steps. It’s really good for any novice artist or kid.

How to Draw an Elephant

If you get this drawing art tutorial you will see all the steps needed for elephant drawing. It is easy to follow and the techniques that are shown will help you get more realistic artwork. Understand how to add light, shade or tone your elephant sketch.

How To Sketch An Elephant

This tutorial has 7 easy steps that will help you understand the foundation behind elephant drawings.

Step by Step Drawing tutorial on How to Draw an Elephant

Elephants are some of the easiest animals to draw and in this tutorial, you will be able to draw your own by just using 9 steps.

How to Draw an Elephant with Color Pencils [Time Lapse]

Learn how to draw an elephant using this cool tutorial that has all the basic info you need. Check it out and see what you can learn from it.

How to Draw a Cartoon Elephant

In this simple tutorial, you discover how to draw a cartoon elephant in 8 steps. You just need some paper and a pencil to start.

Step by Step Drawing tutorial on How to Draw an Elephant with its Trunk Up

There are many species of elephants this is why it is important to understand the basics of each one. This tutorial will show you how to do a simple elephant drawing so why not giving it a chance?

Drawing an Elephant with its Trunk Up with Pencils [Time Lapse]

Just get a pencil and a sheet of paper and you will be ready to check this tutorial. It teaches you how to draw an elephant so you will enjoy it for sure.

Drawing an Elephant Head

In this fast tutorial, you will understand how to draw your own elephant head in just 7 steps. It’s perfect for any beginner artist.

Draw an Elephant, Step by Step

In this step-by-step guide, you get all the steps that need to be done in order to draw a simple and realistic elephant. Just give it a try, you might use it.

Tips for drawing Elephants

divide the elephant body into parts and choose the order you are going to do them. An easy choice can be the belly as being the middle part, the head, and his back.
always compare the length of the legs with the rest of the body, pay attention to the angles of the legs when it walks
refine the body contours and before you draw the tail have in mind its length
notice the difference between an African and Asian elephant, it is important and minor mistakes can be easily spotted
check the wrinkles of the body, their direction determines how each of the body parts is being shaped. This is good to have in mind when you learn how to draw an elephant

FAQ On Tutorials On How To Draw An Elephant

Where Do I Start When Drawing an Elephant?

Okay, so you wanna draw an elephant. Start with the basic shapes—think of a large oval for the body, a circle for the head. Proportions are key, so keep your ruler handy. Then move on to adding legs, always chunkier at the top, and don’t forget that iconic trunk.

What’s the Trick to Getting the Elephant’s Proportions Right?

Proportions can be a pickle. Here’s the deal: the body’s big, right? So kick off by splitting your canvas into equal parts. Use the head as a measure; an elephant’s body is roughly three heads wide. Remember, their ears can be as tall as their shoulders.

Is There a Simple Method for Sketching an Elephant for Beginners?

Absolutely. Think of building with Lego blocks. Start with simple geometric shapes, like rectangles for legs and a large oval for the body. No pressure to nail it first go; sketch lightly. As your confidence swells, define these shapes into more elephant-like features.

Which Part of the Elephant Is the Most Difficult to Draw and Why?

Hands down, it’s the face. You’ve got to balance the trunk with tusks, if it’s a male, and those wise, emotion-filled eyes. Nailing the expression so it doesn’t look like a cartoon when you’re aiming for realism? That’s the artist’s duel with the pencil.

How Important Is It to Add Details like the Elephant’s Skin Texture?

Details are clutch—they breathe life into your sketch. Elephant skin is a map of wrinkles and creases. Gentle shading does wonders here. It’s tedious, sure, but it adds depth, making your elephant as real on paper as it is in the savanna.

Oh, totally. A range of pencils, from 2H to 6B, gives you a spectrum from light sketching to deep shadows. Grab a kneaded eraser for a clean-up that doesn’t smear. Good quality, heavyweight paper holds up when you go mad on shading. Don’t go cheap on the materials.

Is It Easier to Draw an Elephant Using Traditional Media or Digital Tools?

Depends on where your comfort zone lies. Traditional media feels, well, classic. There’s magic in the scritch-scratch of pencil on paper.

Digital? Undo button, layer magic, a million “pencils” in one. It’s like choosing between vinyl and streaming—both rock in their own groovy ways.

How Do I Capture the Motion of an Elephant in My Drawing?

Motion, huh? Observation’s your best buddy. Watch elephants move; notice how their weight shifts. Sketch quick lines to understand their flow. Start with a “skeleton” to place the feet right. Even in stillness, position the feet, ears, and trunk to hint at motion just paused.

Should I Study Elephant Anatomy Before Attempting to Draw One?

Couldn’t hurt. Knowing what’s under the skin helps you draw with purpose. Comprehending the skeleton can guide proportions and poses.

Understanding muscle layout is epic for realism—gets you that believable heft and volume. Flip through an animal anatomy book or swivel through a 3D model online.

What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Drawing Elephants?

Common oopsies include, let’s see, overdoing it with the small details early on, and botching those proportions. Get the large shapes down first.

Another classic blunder is flubbing the perspective—elephant feet aren’t flat discs, and tusks have a three-dimensional curve. Practice makes perfect, bud.

Conclusion

You’ve crossed the savanna, the graphite dust has settled, and there it is. Your masterpiece, a result of diving headfirst into tutorials on how to draw an elephant.

Take a moment. Appreciate the shapes that came together to form those sturdy legs and the gentle curve of the trunk. The shading that added depth, the details giving life to wrinkled skin—these elements are no longer strangers.

Here’s what sticks:

The journey from basic shapes to intricate details.
The importance of proportions, making your elephant stand on the page, weighty and real.
Art isn’t instant—patience is a sidekick you’ll want to keep around.

Revisit these techniques. Whether you grasp a traditional pencil or swivel your digital stylus, know that every line you draw sharpens your skill. Remember, this isn’t only about how to draw an elephant; it’s about growing as an artist, mastering the dance of shadow and light, form and perspective. Keep at it, keep growing, and let your art stun the world one elephant at a time.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan has been drawing consistently since he was 6 years old. His passion for art and illustrations made this blog possible. What initially started with drawing lego characters evolved into complex artworks.

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