I love elephants. I love their eyes and the way they move. I love how you can look at their faces and see expressions there. (or is that imagined?)There is an artist that I saw in a book one time that drew elephants, cartooned in ink with very energetic lines. I wish I could remember his name; those sketches were so inspiring. If you think you might know who I'm talking about, please leave a comment! The above sketch was done from imagination/memory and I found that it was not so easy to do. My memory of how it's ears are shaped, the way the head moves into the shoulders was minimal, at best. I couldn't even finish because I just didn't have enough information in my head to do it. I think I'd like to focus on elephants for awhile. It would be nice to sketch an elephant that looked anatomically correct without a photo reference.
I did this one from a photo on morguefile, posted by JDurham. (ref# 660685). It was done on the bottom corner of my page, so I wasn't able to get the entire body in; well, I guess I could have if I had drawn smaller! As you can see, I couldn't decide what color to paint his skin, so I just tried different things. A little purple, a little blue, a little of this or that. It was fun to do.
This photo was posted on morguefile by KeithCr, ref # 87221. I love this photo! It started as a gestural sketch, but I kept going because I liked it. This one may need a watercolor version-- he's so cute! (In the recesses of my mind, I am praying that he is treated well and is happy!)
Another gestural sketch of an elephant posted by katmyspiry, ref# 61608, on morguefile. This was the last one of the night, and it was late. I wanted to keep going but the eyes weren't cooperating anymore. The other sketches on the page were done on an earlier date, when I was trying desperately to sketch my way through that block. Unfortunately I didn't write down the reference numbers or the names of photographers, but they also come from morguefile.With the exception of the first one, and the people sketches on the last page, these were all done last night. I was just in the mood for sketching some elephants!
UPDATE: Thanks to Timothy Schorre, I have found the elephant artist! It is Heinrich Kley! Some is bizarre, but I love, love, love his elephants!
Your elephants are great! I especially like the second one - in color. Wonderful skin tones!
ReplyDeleteAbout the artist that drew cartoon elephants, Thomas Nast comes to mind. He is the one who came up with an elephant to represent republican party, and that was in 1874. I tried to post a link here, but it didn't work. If you want, just put “Thomas Nast Elephants” in Google search, a lot of images will come up.
Oh I adore elephants. When I see them in the zoo I feel really sad for them. Your drawings are really nice - I like the second one the best, too, with all the wonderful colors. Elephants are so smart, and they display emotions that are very similar to humans. I love this post! nancy
ReplyDeleteVery interesting collection, and elephants are such elegant creatures ^^ I really like the one sitting on the bench or some sort, probably it's closely related to how I would draw an elephant, but I don't think I'd be able to draw realistic elephants without reference. From my memory, elephants would be big, round, adorably cute and funny ^^ Maybe I'll do that someday, comparing one with reference and another without. It'd be fun!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am not so sure about artists being able to see the beauty in everything... I think artists are basically equiped with super sensitivity towards his/her surroundings.
Thanks for a good use of my photo and glad I could help you :) The drawings turned out great! jdurham
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about morguefile so thanks for sharing this great resource. I really like your elephant sitting on the bench. I too worry about animals and hope they are treated well.
ReplyDeleteI like your skin colours very much - they look great.
ReplyDeleteI also like your first attempt - I like that he seems to be an evil/wicked elephant with all those teeth and that glint in his eye, he has real personality.
Beautiful sketches! I think photo reference is helpful when you do want to get the realism or correct body form, etc. However, even if you just do it from memory, that is still a cool depiction!
ReplyDelete:) I love your elephants!
ReplyDeleteNicely done! I love elephants, too. Thanks for reminding me of Heinrich Kley. I discovered his work a long time ago and hadn't thought about it in years.
ReplyDeleteElephants are my favorite animals. They seem to have such beautiful souls. Your drawings are great! That bottom page is my favorite...the people too.
ReplyDeleteElephants are a lot of fun, and I am always awed at the zillion different ways there is to do elephants that still look like elephants (in childrens books, cartoons, graphic renderings etc, I'm not sure you understand what I mean but still).
ReplyDeleteYour elephants are gorgeous, I especially like the second one, but the one from imagination is great.
Oh, by the way, one of my favourite stories as a child was Horton hatches the egg - another lovely elephant! <3
What a fun post! Your first elephant cracks me up, he's got such a funny expression : ) ! He looks great, you're very good at drawing from memory! Love the second one, too, the watercolor job you did is awesome!
ReplyDeleteElephant are fascinating animals, I always loved them, too.
There's a book I think you would love, you can see many pictures from it on google - it's called "mon chat le plus bete du monde" (means my cat the most stupid cat in the world). The author tells us all about his cat's habits (with drawings, of course). The cat is actually an elephant, which makes things a bit awkward in the author's small house...
And also, I wanted to thank you for your comment - you really cheered me up! It seems that we inspire each other ^^ !
Good job on the elephants. Good subject to do.
ReplyDeleteI love the elephants!
ReplyDeleteI think their eyes are so expressive - I often wonder what they would tell me if they could.
Drawing from memory is such fun--it reminds us of all we think we know but don't. Love the eyelashes on your "imagination" elephant--she has a look of determination.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful work! I love the one where you experimented with colors. I think it just added interest that you didn´t do the whole body, it´s a really nice composition I think!
ReplyDeleteYour elephants are delightful!
ReplyDeleteIt'd be great to sketch anyone or anything that is anatomically correct without references! Your elephants are wonderful with mega personality! The first (from your imagination) is definitely female, with those eyelashes. I just love the second with its mixes of color. It's my favorite of the bunch - no - not bunch - of the memory (I looked it up, a memory of elephants. Well, it's also "herd" but that's boring.)
ReplyDeleteWonderful sketches and what a fun blog! thanks so much for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne Urban
Raena, these are so whimsical! Each elephant is different, has its own style. I love the 2nd and 3rd ones best.
ReplyDeleteOk, now I have to go to the zoo - you've insprired me. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI like your elephants. I tried one from memory and didn't do too well. I put the ear as coming from the top of his head rather than down a bit. Your gray elephant looks terrific with the added color. I found out that really keeps a gray from looking flat. I'd love to see a whole collection of elephants done by you over time.
ReplyDeleteI've just begun to read yesterday a book about elephant!like very much your drawings, especially the last one!
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