Drawing a baby elephant can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially for beginners. In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to draw a cute and realistic baby elephant, from sketching basic shapes to adding details and shading.
Materials Needed
Before we dive into the tutorial, here are some essential materials you will need to begin your baby elephant drawing:
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Drawing paper
- Black marker
- Colored pencils or markers (optional)
Step 1: Sketching Basic Shapes
Begin by sketching a circle for the head and a slightly larger circle for the body. Add a smaller oval for the trunk and two circles for the ears.
Tips:
- Use light lines for your sketches to make it easier to erase later on
- Keep your circles and ovals minimal for a more realistic look
Step 2: Outlining the Elephant
Using the shapes as guides, connect them with curved lines to create the outline of your baby elephant. Draw a curved line for the elephant’s back, and connect the bottom of the body shape to the head with a curved line for the neck. Add legs with curved lines and a tail with a slightly curved line.
Tips:
- Take your time outlining to ensure your elephant has a balanced and proportional appearance
- Don’t worry about perfect lines, as we will refine them later
Step 3: Refining the Outline
With the basic outline done, now it’s time to refine it. Use the eraser to clean up any unnecessary lines and adjust any disproportionate areas.
Tips:
- Look closely at reference images to ensure your elephant looks realistic
- Refine the curvatures of the belly and back to make the elephant look more three-dimensional
Step 4: Sketching Details
Now it’s time to add details, such as the elephant’s eyes, tusks, and wrinkles. Sketch two small eyes above the trunk and two curved tusks sprouting from either side of the trunk. Next, add small wrinkles above the trunk and along the body and legs.
Tips:
- Don’t be afraid of adding too much detail, just keep it simple and minimalistic
- Wrinkles should be soft and round to add to the baby elephant’s cuteness
Step 5: Inking the Drawing
Once you’re happy with your pencil sketch, now it’s time to ink it with a black marker. Using the lines as guides, outline the elephant using short and thin marks.
Tips:
- Start inking the small details before moving onto bigger areas
- Use light pressure when inking to avoid mistakes as it can’t be erased
Step 6: Coloring the Drawing (Optional)
If you want to add some beautiful colors to your baby elephant drawing, feel free to use colored pencils or markers. Elephants are usually grey, so use light grey for the body, and darker grey for the wrinkles. You can add some pink or brown for the tusks and ears.
Tips:
- Use light layers of colored pencils or markers as it’s easier to add than to remove color
- Look for reference images of baby elephants to get inspiration for color variations
Step 7: Shading the Drawing (Optional)
Finally, if you want to add more depth and dimension to your baby elephant drawing, use a pencil to shade and add shadows on areas that are darker.
Tips:
- Use hatching technique (parallel lines) to add texture and shadows on the elephant’s body and wrinkles
- Use smudging tool or a brush to blend the shading marks for a smoother look
Summary
Drawing a baby elephant may seem like a daunting task, but with these easy-to-follow steps, you can create a cute and realistic baby elephant drawing in no time. Remember to take your time, refine your basic shapes, and don’t be afraid of adding detail. If you make mistakes, don’t get frustrated, just keep practicing.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What types of pencils should you use for drawing a baby elephant?
You can use any usual pencil, such as a 2B or HB.
2. How can I make the elephant look cuter aside from adding wrinkles?
A baby elephant looks cuter when the eyes are bigger, and the face is rounder.
3. Should I add other elements to the drawing?
It’s up to you, but if you’re going for a clean and simple drawing, it’s best not to add more items.
4. How can I keep my pencil drawing clean?
You should keep your hand below the drawing’s surface when you draw to avoid smudging.
5. Can you use a different color for the elephant?
You can use any color you like for your baby elephant, but if you want it to look more realistic, it’s better to stick with the traditional grey color.
6. How long does it take to draw a baby elephant?
It would depend on the artist’s level of skills and the amount of detailing but the whole process takes around 30-45 minutes.