How to Draw an Elephant Step by Step
The steps are split into three parts: first the head and trunk, then the body and legs, and finally the little details that bring your elephant to life.
Step 1: Draw the outer curve of the trunk
Start near the top left of your paper. Draw a big curve that bends to the right, then down, then sweeps back to the left and ends with a small hook at the bottom. It looks a bit like the letter S or the number 2. This line is the back edge of the elephant’s trunk, which is raised up in the air.
Step 2: Draw the inner line of the trunk
Draw a second curve on the left side of the first one, following the same shape. Keep a little space between the two lines – this space is the thickness of the trunk. Let this line keep going down and curve around to the right to make the bottom of the elephant’s head.
Step 3: Draw the forehead
From the middle of the inner trunk line, draw a curve that goes up and to the right. Round it over the top to make the elephant’s forehead and the top of its head. End the line a little past the top.
Step 4: Draw the lower jaw
Below the head, on the right side of the bottom line, draw a short curved line. This is the elephant’s lower jaw and cheek.
Step 5: Close the tip of the trunk
Go back to the top of the trunk. Join the ends of the two trunk lines with a small wavy shape. This is the end of the trunk, where the elephant breathes and grabs things.
Step 6: Draw the tusk
Under the trunk, next to the jaw, draw a curved tusk that ends in a soft point. Tusks are long teeth, so they should look smooth and slightly curved.
Step 7: Draw the ear
Now draw a big, round ear on the right side of the head. Start near the top of the head and draw a large rounded shape that comes back down near the jaw. Don’t be shy – big ears make your elephant look extra cute.
Step 8: Draw the eye
Draw a round eye in the middle of the face, between the forehead and the ear. Color it in, but leave a tiny white spot at the top. This little shine makes the eye look alive.
Step 9: Draw the back ear and the mouth
On top of the head, draw a small arch – this is the elephant’s other ear peeking over its head. Then, under the tusk, draw a small curved line for a smiling mouth. The head is now finished!
Step 10: Draw the front leg
Below the head, draw a thick leg going straight down. Make the bottom flat for the foot. Elephants are heavy, so keep the legs thick, like tree trunks.
Step 11: Draw the back leg
Move to the right side of your paper and draw another thick leg, about the same size as the front leg. Leave a wide space between the two legs for the elephant’s body.
Step 12: Draw the belly
Connect the top of the front leg and the top of the back leg with a gently curved line. This is the elephant’s belly.
Step 13: Draw the back and rump
Starting behind the ear, draw a long line across the elephant’s back. Give it a small bump, then curve it down in a big round shape to meet the back leg. This round part is the rump. Your elephant now has a full body!
Step 14: Draw the legs on the far side
An elephant has four legs, but we can only see part of the two on the other side. Draw one leg just behind the front leg and one just in front of the back leg. They are partly hidden, so you only need to draw the parts you can see.
Step 15: Draw the toenails
At the bottom of each foot, draw a few small upside-down U shapes. These are the elephant’s toenails.
Step 16: Draw the tail
From the back of the rump, draw a thin tail hanging down. At the end, add a small pointed tuft of hair.
Step 17: Your elephant outline is complete!
Well done! Trace over your pencil lines with a black marker, wait for the ink to dry, then gently erase any pencil lines that are still showing.
Common Mistakes When Drawing an Elephant (and How to Fix Them)
The legs are too thin. Elephants are the heaviest animals on land, so their legs need to look strong. Make each leg almost as wide as the elephant’s ear.
The ears are too small. Small ears can make your elephant look like a different animal. Make the ear big and round – about the same size as the head.
The trunk is stiff and straight. A trunk is soft and bendy. Use smooth S-shaped curves instead of straight lines.
Pressing too hard with the pencil. Dark pencil lines are hard to erase. Draw lightly first, and only press harder or use a marker once you are happy.
The body is too small. The elephant’s body should be wide and round. Leave plenty of space between the front leg and the back leg.
Make It Your Own: Fun Variations
Once you can draw this elephant, try changing it up:
- Add a party hat and draw a balloon tied to the trunk.
- Make a baby elephant by drawing a rounder head, a shorter trunk and shorter legs.
- Spray some water – draw little drops coming out of the trunk.
- Draw an elephant family with a big elephant and a small one walking together.
- Add a flower or a leaf held in the trunk.
Tips for Parents and Teachers
- This tutorial works well as a directed drawing activity for a classroom. Show one step at a time on the board and let students copy it.
- For children aged 3–5, draw the first few steps lightly for them and let them trace.
- Ask kids to give their elephant a name and draw a home for it. This turns a drawing lesson into a creative story activity.
- Pair this lesson with a short reading about elephants or a safari unit.
Fun Elephant Facts for Kids
- Elephants are the largest animals living on land.
- An elephant’s trunk is its nose and upper lip joined together. It uses its trunk to breathe, smell, drink, grab food and even say hello.
- There are African elephants and Asian elephants. African elephants have bigger ears, and Asian elephants have smaller, rounder ears.
- Tusks are actually very long teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you draw an elephant easily?
Start with the trunk. Draw an S-shaped curve and a second curve next to it, then add the forehead, ear and eye. After the head is done, add four thick legs, a round body and a small tail. Following small steps, like the 17 steps above, makes it much easier.
How do you draw an elephant for kids?
Use a simple cartoon style with big round ears, a big eye and thick legs. Show one line at a time, just like in this tutorial, where every new line is marked in red.
How do you draw an elephant’s trunk?
Draw two curved lines side by side, like a long bendy tube. Keep the lines smooth, and close the end with a small wavy shape for the tip.
How do you make an elephant drawing look cute?
Give it big round ears, a large shiny eye, a small smile and soft rounded shapes. A raised trunk also makes an elephant look happy.
How long does it take to draw an elephant?
This easy elephant takes about 10–15 minutes to draw, plus a little extra time for coloring.
What colors should I use for an elephant?
Gray is the most common color, with pink inside the ears and white or cream for the tusks. You can also use light brown, or any fun color you like.