Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to draw a cartoon elephant: raised trunk and rectangular legs
First draw the open arc head and one eye.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 3 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
What you will learn
Practice this visual check: Both sides of the elephant's trunk walk in the same curved direction, and the front and rear legs are respectively connected to the lower edge of the body.
Shapes and proportions
First draw the open arc head and one eye. The upturned nose is connected with a U-shaped hyperbola at the front, large ears are added at the back, and the body is surrounded by horizontal curves, which are then supported by thick and short cylindrical legs.
A common mistake
The upward trunk is drawn as a straight tube, or the four legs and abdominal line are connected incorrectly, which will destroy the sideways posture.
How to fix it
Both sides of the elephant's trunk walk in the same curved direction, and the front and rear legs are respectively connected to the lower edge of the body.
First draw the open arc head and one eye.
These three images are key-stage previews: the starting shape, the completed outline, and a new crayon color study. Follow the complete drawing sequence in LittlePaper. On paper, leave room around the first shape for the parts added later.
A few things to start with
Paper, pencil or black drawing pen, eraser, and crayons or colored pencils for color matching for this lesson.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 3
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Position the basic shape first
First draw the open arc head and one eye. Observe the position of the starting shape on the paper, leaving space for subsequent outlines and additional components.
Position the basic shape first · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Connect profiles and arrange parts
The front end is connected with a U-shaped hyperbola to form an upturned nose, and large ears are added to the back side. The transverse curve surrounds the body, and is supported by thick and short cylindrical legs. Both sides of the elephant's trunk walk in the same curved direction, and the front and rear legs are respectively connected to the lower edge of the body.
Connect profiles and arrange parts · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
Select the color of the part to complete the crayon draft
The body and limbs are uniformly blue-grey, the toes are milky white, and the tip of the tail is dark gray. Apply the color first with light pressure, leaving the black outline, and then compare pairs of parts using the same color.
Select the color of the part to complete the crayon draft · Preview image 3 of 3
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw a Cartoon Elephant” drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
