Drawing can be a fun and creative activity, especially when you discover new ways to approach it. One such approach is drawing animals using numbers. For example, using the number 55 to create a simple and charming elephant drawing can be both fun and educational for artists of all ages. In this article, we’ll walk through a step-by-step guide on how to turn the number “55” into a cute and easy elephant illustration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll find this drawing exercise enjoyable and a great way to practice your creativity.
Step 1: Drawing the Number 55
The first step in drawing an elephant from the number “55” is to sketch the number itself. Begin by drawing the number 55 as you normally would. Start with two large “5”s next to each other, ensuring that they are shaped in a way that will form the body and legs of the elephant. You can use any style or type of number, but it’s best to make the numbers big and bold to give yourself enough room to create the rest of the elephant’s body.
Tip: Use a pencil at this stage so that you can easily erase and adjust the lines as you proceed. You’ll also want to leave space at the top and bottom of the numbers for the elephant’s ears, trunk, and tail.
Step 2: Creating the Elephant’s Body
The number “55” will serve as the main base for the elephant’s body. The top of the two “5”s will represent the elephant’s thick, round body, while the lower curved portions will form the elephant’s legs. At this point, you’ll want to make the two “5”s appear more connected. You can round out the top parts to make them look like the smooth curves of the elephant’s body.
Body Details:
- Curving the “5”s: To give the elephant more shape, round out the corners of each “5” at the top and bottom. This will make the body appear fuller, rather than just straight lines.
- Add Bulk to the Lower Half: The bottom of the “5”s should be thickened slightly to create the legs. The shape of the lower curves will also give the elephant a more realistic appearance.
Step 3: Drawing the Elephant’s Trunk
The next step is to draw the elephant’s iconic trunk. The trunk should extend from the top of the “5”s—where the top of the elephant’s head would be. Start with a curved line coming out of the upper right section of the first “5” (on the left side). The trunk should be long and slightly thick at the base, tapering as it extends outward.
- Trunk Details: You can make the trunk more natural by adding gentle curves or folds along the length. These subtle bends will give the trunk a more fluid, flexible appearance.
- Finishing the Trunk: Add a small curl at the tip of the trunk to enhance its character, as elephants often have a slight curl at the end of their trunks.
Step 4: Adding the Elephant’s Ears
The next feature to include is the elephant’s large ears. Elephants are known for their wide, fan-shaped ears, and you can create them using the space above the “5”s. Start by drawing a large, rounded shape on either side of the body—one ear on the left side and the other on the right. These shapes should be large enough to stand out from the body but not so big that they overwhelm the drawing.
- Ears Shape: The ears should have a slight curve, flaring outwards from the sides of the “5”. They should be wide and oval in shape, with the top of each ear coming up and out from the top part of the “5”.
- Adding Texture: To make the ears look more realistic, you can add some texture lines or folds within the ears to mimic the elephant’s skin folds.
Step 5: Drawing the Elephant’s Eyes and Face
Now it’s time to add the eyes and the face of the elephant. Since the “55” already forms the body, the face will be a small detail at the top center of the left “5”. Draw a small oval for the eye on each side of the trunk, keeping them relatively close to the top portion of the “5”. The elephant’s eyes should be small in comparison to the rest of the features but large enough to bring life to the drawing.
- Eye Placement: Place one eye on the left side, just below the elephant’s trunk, and the other on the right side of the trunk, slightly higher. Keep the eyes rounded for a more cartoonish, playful look.
- Facial Expression: You can add a small curve under the trunk to give your elephant a smiling expression.
Step 6: Drawing the Elephant’s Legs and Feet
Next, let’s add the elephant’s legs and feet. The bottom of the “5”s will now serve as the legs, so all you need to do is extend lines downwards from the curved parts to form the elephant’s legs. Elephants have thick, sturdy legs, so make sure to draw them slightly wider towards the bottom to give them a grounded and powerful look.
- Legs: Draw two lines extending from each bottom curve of the “5”. These lines should be slightly angled outward, so the legs look proportional to the body.
- Feet: At the end of each leg, draw a small horizontal line to form the elephant’s feet. The feet should be wider than the legs, with a slight curve at the bottom for a more natural appearance.
Step 7: Adding the Tail
Now, let’s complete the elephant by adding a small tail. Draw a curved line extending from the bottom of the second “5” on the right side of the body. At the end of the line, draw a tuft of hair to give the tail its characteristic look.
- Tail Details: The tail should be relatively short compared to the trunk but still long enough to stand out. The tuft at the end should be shaped like a small swirl or a bunch of hair, adding character to the tail.
Step 8: Final Touches
To finish your drawing, you can add shading and texture to give depth to the elephant’s body. Lightly shade the legs and body to create the appearance of shadow, particularly under the belly and legs. Add texture to the ears and trunk to make them appear more realistic by drawing gentle lines and curves following the natural lines of the elephant’s skin.
- Shading and Texture: Use soft, short strokes to create the illusion of texture on the elephant’s skin, making it look like elephant hide. Add subtle shadows along the legs and trunk to give dimension.
Conclusion
Drawing an elephant from the number “55” is a fun and creative way to bring a unique twist to your artwork. This technique not only helps you practice basic shapes but also encourages you to think outside the box when it comes to using numbers and symbols in art. With each step, you can create a charming and playful elephant that’s full of character. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this drawing idea is a great way to improve your skills while having fun this season.
