Elephant Art: ‘Jumbo Family’ A Pencil Drawing by Kevin Hayler

This page reveals the story behind my elephant artwork. Learn how and why I drew this elephant drawing. I reveal my methods and reasoning. Read through this post if you’ve ever wondered how artists get their ideas, plan things out, and ultimately make sales.

Here’s a drawing highlighting a strong family bond, a key element for anyone tackling wildlife art with a view to sales. Indeed, this is my bestselling print.

This piece shows an Asian elephant with her calf, and there’s a lot you can learn from it. Notice how the calf leans in and tucks under the mother’s trunk? That’s a powerful way to show protection and trust.

Check out the skin textures. Note the subtle shading and added wrinkles that give life and interest to the drawing.

The composition is important. The mother’s stance anchors the scene while the calf adds a dynamic curve, creating balance and movement.

If you want to practice capturing relationships in your drawings, study the body language here. The touch, the curve of the trunks, the weight of their feet – all simple steps to add realism and emotion.

My Original Photo References

Not exactly award-winning images. I had a very cheap camera and you would never have imagined that these shots, combined in one drawing, would make me thousands of pounds over the years.

I drew these elephants many years ago. I remember the year, it was 1998 and I was traveling in Sri Lanka. That means I published my drawing right at the beginning of my career.

My drawing captures a moment inspired by my visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. It’s one of the highlights of my trip to Sri Lanka. Watching the herd of around 40 elephants stroll down to the river through the village was unforgettable.

Though my photos weren’t perfect by any means, they essentially gave me everything I needed.

In one shot, the mother stood out beautifully, while in another, the calf’s pose felt more dynamic. I combined the two and put them together on paper.

To enhance the scene, I used the calf’s raised trunk and added a gentle flap to the mother’s ear, giving the piece a sense of movement and warmth.

My Drawing Methods

This drawing lacks the detail and finesse of my later work for 3 main reasons:

• I drew it long before I had the patience to spend many days on one piece
• I used Derwent drawing pencils and had yet to discover the power of mechanical pencils
• My references were too poor to add much detail anyway.

Nonetheless, the drawing is emotionally effective. At this stage, my perfectionism had not taken hold of me, and form was as important, if not more than detail.

‘Jumbo Family’ A Framed Pencil Drawing of Elephants

Framing can make or break the presentation of a drawing, and this piece shows how a well-chosen frame complements the art perfectly.

Here, the drawing of the elephants is set off by a clean, off-white mat that creates breathing space around the artwork, allowing the intricate details to shine. This simple choice stops the frame from overwhelming the piece and keeps the focus on the mother and calf.

The dark earthy frame adds a natural feel, tying in nicely with the subject matter. The contrast between the dark frame and the white mat draws your eye right to the elephants.

My decision to draw the elephants without a background was the right approach. The pose is everything.

The frame’s width is balanced, not too thick or too thin, giving just enough weight to anchor the piece without overpowering it. This approach works well for a home setting, making the art feel finished, professional, and ready to hang in a space where it can be appreciated.

By choosing neutral tones and a minimalist frame style, the presentation enhances the artwork without distracting the eye, as frames should.

The result? A timeless piece that can easily fit into a range of interior styles.

‘Jumbo Family’ How it Looks Hanging on the Wall

This bedroom mockup shows how a simple framed drawing can add a sense of calm and connection to a bedroom space.

The framed elephant drawing complements the warm beige walls. The artwork is positioned above the bed, where it becomes a quiet focal point without being overwhelming. The positioning suggests a set of 3 drawings above the bed.

The muted sage and cream-striped bedding ties in with the neutral tones of the room. The wooden nightstand, paired with a white lamp and a blue ceramic vase, brings in natural elements that work well with the subject of the drawing.

As ever, black and white art compliments the color scheme. Plus the subject adds a subtle touch of nature, making it feel complete and inviting.

These are my essential drawing materials:

• Pentel Mechanical Pencils 0.3mm
• Derwent Graphic Drawing Pencils
• Daler-Rowney Heavyweight Cartridge Paper
• Jakar Battery Eraser
• Tombo Mono Eraser Pen
• Faber Castell Putty Eraser
• Blu Tack
• French Box Easel (A good portable alternative)

To find out why I use these drawing tools, read this: The Best Drawing Supplies

Check Out More Posts Like This

PIN THIS