Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a cartoon elephant: Raised Trunk and Rounded Back
Explore cartoon elephant through four selected drawing stages. Focus on raised trunk and rounded back and a textured crayon finish.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 4 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 cartoon elephant with attention to raised trunk and rounded back.
Shapes and proportions
Curve the trunk upward while keeping the rounded body supported by short legs.
A common mistake
An upward trunk without a narrow tip looks like a second head.
How to fix it
Taper the trunk gradually and separate its tip from the forehead.
This cartoon elephant study focuses on raised trunk and rounded back. Curve the trunk upward while keeping the rounded body supported by short legs. The exercise is about keeping these visible shapes readable before adding small marks or color.
These are four selected stages, not a complete stroke-by-stroke sequence. Blue guide lines mark additions in the source images. Compare the pictures for the overall shape changes; use the complete LittlePaper lesson for the smaller steps between them.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil and crayons matching the example. Leave room around the drawing for proportion checks before making the outlines darker.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 4
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
Selected stage 3: early shapes
This picture shows source stage 3 of 9 for cartoon elephant, not the next single stroke. Curve the trunk upward while keeping the rounded body supported by short legs. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 3: early shapes · Preview image 1 of 4 - 02Selected stage
Selected stage 6: building the outline
This picture shows source stage 6 of 9 for cartoon elephant, not the next single stroke. Taper the trunk gradually and separate its tip from the forehead. Compare its unfinished edges with the complete outline shown later.
Selected stage 6: building the outline · Preview image 2 of 4 - 03Selected stage
Complete outline: raised trunk and rounded back
Compare the finished cartoon elephant outline with the earlier selected stages. An upward trunk without a narrow tip looks like a second head. Taper the trunk gradually and separate its tip from the forehead.
Complete outline: raised trunk and rounded back · Preview image 3 of 4 - 04Selected stage
Crayon color: soft gray, cream white
Use the colored cartoon elephant example to compare the palette after checking the outline. The visible palette includes soft gray, cream white. Keep repeated parts consistent and let small light flecks preserve the crayon texture.
Crayon color: soft gray, cream white · Preview image 4 of 4
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
The example uses soft gray, cream white. Keep matching limbs and repeated parts in a consistent palette. Use light overlapping crayon strokes so the inner outlines stay visible. Taper the trunk gradually and separate its tip from the forehead.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open the “How to Draw an Elephant Step by Step Elephant Drawing Tutorial” 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.
