How to Draw an Elephant (Easy Step by Step)
This elephant is friendly and simple to draw because it is built mostly from circles and ovals. A big round head, two arched body lines and four oval feet do most of the work, and the long trunk gives it its character.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw an elephant step by step
How to Draw an Elephant · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The big head
Draw a big circle near the top of your page. Leave a tiny gap at the bottom, where the body will join later.
Step 3: The round body
Draw two curved lines that start at the bottom of the head, one on each side. Let them bow outward and then curve down, like the sides of a big arch.
Step 4: Two floppy ears
Draw a big rounded ear on each side of the head. Start each one at the head, loop outward like a half circle, and curve back to meet the head again.
Step 5: The long trunk
Start in the middle of the face and draw two lines going straight down. Join them at the bottom with a big U curve, then add a small curl where the trunk meets the body on the right.
Step 6: Four round feet
Draw four ovals in a row along the bottom. Let the two body lines end at the two outside feet, which are a little smaller.
Step 7: Eyes and smile
Add two small dots for eyes, one on each side of the trunk. Then draw a little smile on the left of the trunk, two short curved wrinkle lines on the trunk, and a curve under the head on each side of the trunk.
Step 8: Inside the ears
Draw a curved line inside each ear, like a little bracket. This makes the ears look soft and deep.
Step 9: Toes
Add two tiny curved bumps on each of the two middle feet. These are the toes.
Step 10: The curly tail
On the right side of the body, draw a short line that goes out and then curves down like a hook. Finish with a small oval at the end for the tuft.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your elephant? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a giraffe or how to draw a lion next.
Tips for drawing an elephant
- Draw the head circle first and leave room on both sides, because the big ears need space to stretch out.
- The trunk is the trickiest part. Keep the two side lines almost parallel, then connect them with a smooth U shape at the bottom.
- Draw both ears the same size by checking each one against the head circle before you start the second.
Free elephant coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this elephant coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your elephant drawing
Soft gray or blue is a classic choice, with pink on the insides of the ears. For a creative twist, make a rainbow elephant with each foot in a different color.
Elephant fun fact for kids
An elephant's trunk has no bones in it. It is made of muscle, so elephants can use it to pick up a peanut, spray water and even wrap trunks with a friend.
Questions about drawing an elephant
What shapes do I need to draw an elephant?
You need a big circle for the head, two curved lines for the sides of the body, two rounded ears and four ovals for the feet. The trunk is a long U shape.
How do I make my elephant look cuter?
Make the ears extra big and keep the eyes as small dots on each side of the trunk. A tiny smile and a curly tail also help a lot.
How do I draw an elephant trunk?
Draw two lines going down from the middle of the face, then join them with a curve at the bottom. Add a few short curved lines across the trunk to show wrinkles.
