How to Draw an Elephant
Hey there, art family! Ready to learn how to draw an elephant? This lesson is perfect for beginners, and I'm here to guide you step-by-step. We'll take just 50 minutes to create a beautiful elephant on paper. This includes a fully developed background too!
You'll need some blank paper, a pencil, and crayons or colored pencils. Don't worry about making it perfect; it's all about having fun and learning. We'll break it down into doable steps so you can follow along with confidence.
From the big ears to the long trunk, each part of the elephant will come together piece by piece. By the end of this lesson, you'll surprise yourself with what you can do. Grab your materials, get situated, and let's start drawing!
Estimated Time: 50 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Materials
- Blank Paper
- Pencil
- Crayons or Colored Pencils
Lesson: How to Draw an Elephant
Are you ready yet? We'll be starting with basic shapes like round shapes and lines to get that big ol' body and trunk just right. Of course we’ll add details like ears and tusks to bring it to life. Make sure to follow along closely so your elephant looks good.
Outline the Forehead
First, draw a curved line to form the elephant’s forehead.
Draw the Eye
Draw a pointed oval to form the elephant’s eye. Then, add a curved line above its eye.
Attach the Trunk
Form the curving and elongated shape of its trunk. Then, add short curved lines along its trunk.
Add the Tusks
Add the pointed tusks on each side of the trunk. Make sure to erase extra lines.
Form the Ear
Form the large, wavy shape of the elephant’s ear.
Outline the Body
Draw the oval-shaped outline of the elephant’s body.
Attach the Legs
Attach the upright outline of the elephant’s legs to its body. Then, add short, curved lines on its knees.
Draw the Nails
Draw the bumpy outline of the elephant’s nails on its feet.
Attach the Tail
Attach the elephant’s thin, long tail. Then, add the tail tuft at the end.
Draw a Field of Grass
Form a field of grass around the elephant by creating curving, pointed lines.
Outline the Clouds
Outline the bumpy shape of the clouds in the distant background.
Fill in the Eye
Use black for the eye. Next, color the highlights in its eyes with white.
Color the Tusks and Nails
Fill in the elephant’s tusks and nails with a cream color.
Shade the Elephant’s Body
Shade the elephant’s body with gray. Then, color the tuft of hair on its tail with dark gray.
Add Shading to the Background
Use a green color for the grass. Next, fill in the sky with blue and the clouds with white.
Artist & Educator