An elephant calf with a gently curled trunk

Sketch an elephant calf from a rounded body, broad ear, and gently curled trunk. Four short legs and selected fold lines make a useful proportion exercise.

A way into the drawing

1. Place the body and trunk

   Draw a broad rounded body with a smaller head at the front. Extend the trunk in one gentle curve, keeping its tip complete.

2. Fit the ear and legs

   Lay a large ear over the head-body junction. Place four short legs beneath the body and separate the near pair from the far pair.

3. Keep the folds selective

   Add the small eye, a broad ear fold, a few trunk creases, and simple toe marks. Keep gray close to the ear root and leg overlaps.

A small thing to tryLeave enough room beneath the head for the trunk to curl without touching the front feet.