Please PAUSE the "How to Draw a Mammoth" video after each step to draw at your own pace.
For the first few steps, don't press down too hard with your pencil. Use light, smooth strokes to begin.
Step 1: Draw a circle as a guide for the mammoth's head. The circle doesn't have to be perfect. It's just a guide. Leave enough room on the left side to draw the mammoth's body.
Step 2: Draw two intersecting lines inside the head as guide lines to help you place the mammoth's facial features later on.
Step 3: Draw a C-shaped line inside the head on the left side as a guide for the mammoth's ear.
Step 4: Draw a big circle to the left of the mammoth's head as a guide for the back portion of the body. The circle should be about four times the size of the mammoth's head. Place the big circle slightly below the head. Don't draw the circles too far apart, otherwise your mammoth will end up too long.
Step 5: Draw a couple of curved lines to connect the big circle with the mammoth's head and complete the guide for the body.
Step 6: Draw four lines under the body as guides for the mammoth's legs. Draw two lines under the front part and two under the big circle. Bend the lines to indicate where the joints will be.
Step 7: Draw two curved lines coming out of the head as guides for the mammoth's long trunk and tusks. The guide for the trunk should be almost as long as the legs. For longer tusks, draw the guide longer.
That's it for the initial sketch! From this point on, press harder with your pencil to get a more defined sketch.
Step 8: Draw the eye inside the mammoth's head as a football-like shape. Use the lines as guides for placement. Draw the eyeball inside the shape and shade it in except for a tiny circle to represent glare. Draw a few lines around the eye for the wrinkles and folds of skin.
Step 9: Use the C-shaped line as a guide to draw the mammoth's ear. Use quick, short strokes as you follow the path of the line to give the ear a furry look.
Step 10: Draw the mammoth's first tusk using the line as a guide. First draw the furry base of the tusk using quick, short strokes. Then follow the path of the guide, and make the tusk thicker and come to a point at the end. Draw the tusk on the other side the same way. Don't draw the base of it because it will be covered by the head and trunk.
Step 11: Draw the rest of the mammoth's head using the circle as a guide. The woolly mammoth lived during the last ice age, so they had fur all over their bodies. Add the fur by drawing quick, short strokes as you follow the basic path of the circle. Add some strokes within the head to indicate the structure of the face.
Step 12: Use the long line on the right side as a guide to draw the mammoth's trunk. Continue drawing the trunk from the head and follow the path of the guide as you make it thicker. Make sure to draw the trunk behind the tusk.
Step 13: Use the two lines on the right side as guides to draw the mammoth's front legs. First lightly sketch the shape of the first leg as you follow the basic path of the guide. Then darken the lines using quick, short strokes. Draw the front leg on the other side the same way. Draw a few curved lines at the tips of the feet for the mammoth's nails.
Step 14: Use the lines on the left as guides to draw the mammoth's hind legs. Sketch lightly at first and only darken the lines when you have the structure right. Remember to use quick, short strokes throughout the body to achieve a furry texture and add the nails at the bottom.
Step 15: Draw the rest of the mammoth's body using the remaining lines as guides. Add longer strokes near the belly at the bottom for longer, shaggier fur. Draw the mammoth's short tail above the hind legs on the left side.
Step 16 (optional): For a cleaner look, erase as much as you can of the initial guides. Don't worry about erasing all of the guides. It's okay to leave some behind. Re-draw any final sketch lines that you may have accidentally erased.
Final Step (optional): Add some shading to your mammoth drawing to give it more dimension and volume. Pick the direction of the light source when shading so that the shadows are consistent with it. Vary the pressure on your pencil to get different degrees of tonal value. Add the value using strokes that go in the general direction of the mammoth's fur.
Add a cast shadow underneath. This helps ground the mammoth so it doesn't appear to be floating.
And finally, you can add more value throughout your mammoth drawing for extra detail. Don't worry about adding the value too smoothly. Add the fur using separate individual strokes for a thick, shaggy winter coat. Use shorter strokes for fur on the mammoth's face and trunk. Don't forget to pause the "How to Draw a Mammoth Video" to draw at your own pace.
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