Mastering Elephant & Piggie: Mo Willems Drawing Tutorial

Drawing characters from children's books and animations can be a fun and educational activity for both kids and adults. Mo Willems, the acclaimed author and illustrator, has created a cast of lovable characters that have stolen the hearts of many. Among them, Piggie and Elephant are two of the most beloved. If you're eager to learn how to draw these charming characters, you've come to the right place. Let's dive into this step-by-step guide that's sure to bring out the artist in you.

Before we begin, here's a quick overview of what we'll cover. First, we'll guide you through the process of drawing Piggie, the playful and friendly pig. Then, we'll move on to Elephant, the wise and gentle friend of Piggie. Both characters have unique features that make them easy to recognize and fun to draw. So, let's grab our pencils and paper and get started!

Drawing Piggie

Piggie, with her rosy cheeks and curly tail, is a character that's full of energy and life. Let's break down her design into simple, easy-to-draw components.

To begin, sketch a small circle for Piggie's head. Then, draw a larger circle for her body, with a small tail curving down from the bottom. This will give you a basic structure to build upon.

Drawing Piggie's Face and Ears

Now that we have our basic shape, it's time to add Piggie's distinctive features. Start by drawing two small, curvy ears on top of her head. Then, add two small, almond-shaped eyes and a larger, smiley mouth. Don't forget to add two small, pink nostrils and two rosy cheeks to give Piggie her signature look.

Once you have the facial features in place, you can draw two small arms with three pork-chop-like fingers on each. Finally, add a curly tail at the bottom of her body.

Adding Color and Details

Now that you have Piggie's basic shape and features, it's time to add some color and details. Start by coloring Piggie's body a soft pink. Then, add black details to her eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Don't forget to color her tail and pork-chop fingers black as well.

To add the final touch, draw small white dots on Piggie's cheeks to represent her freckles. You can also add a few white dots on her body to give her a spotted pattern.

Drawing Elephant

Elephant is Piggie's wise and gentle friend, known for his big, flapping ears and warm smile. Let's learn how to draw this lovable character step by step.

To start, draw a large oval shape for Elephant's body. Then, draw a smaller oval shape on top of the first one for his head. Next, add two small, almond-shaped eyes and a curved mouth to create a friendly smile.

Drawing Elephant's Trunk and Ears

Now it's time to add Elephant's most iconic features. Draw a curved, S-shaped line for his trunk, starting from his mouth and extending downwards. Then, draw two large, rounded triangles for his ears, connecting them to his head.

To give Elephant his signature look, draw several curved lines on the inside of his ears to represent the folds. You can also add a few dots or circles on top of his head to give him some extra detailing.

Adding Color and Details

Now that you have Elephant's basic shape and features, it's time to add some color and details. Start by coloring his body and ears a light gray. Then, add white details to his eyes and smile to make them stand out.

To give Elephant some extra personality, you can draw a few pleat lines on his sides and add some small, black spots on his body. Don't forget to color his trunk a darker shade of gray for a more natural look.

And there you have it! With these step-by-step guides, you're now equipped to draw Piggie and Elephant with ease. Who knows, you might even create your own Mo Willems-inspired story or animation. Happy drawing, and remember to have fun and be creative!