Elephant Portrait

Look this elephant right in the eyes with a close-up, front-facing portrait of its head and face. Two big floppy ears frame the head, kind eyes with long lashes look straight out, a wrinkly forehead adds texture, and the trunk curls gently down the middle between two small tusks. Because the view is so close, the page is full of expressive detail, making it a rewarding choice for older kids and adults who enjoy shading wrinkles and adding subtle texture. Those wrinkles are not just for show: an elephant's skin folds help trap moisture and keep the animal cool. The friendly, lashed eyes give the portrait real personality, and the symmetrical, front-facing view makes it easy to balance your shading from side to side. Those small tusks add one last detail to finish carefully. Print it on US Letter or A4 and experiment with light and dark greys to bring out every fold and crease in the skin.