Elephant at the watering hole

An elephant raises its trunk beside a quiet watering hole. A leafy branch and a few ripples surround the broad body without crowding the page.

How much detail?

The elephant has broad body and ear areas with only a small pond and branch. About the labels.

Try this palette: Watering-hole pause

Use a cool gray elephant against warm ochre ground; reserve pale blue for the pond.

A small coloring tip

A gray crayon covers the elephant's open body well; switch to a pencil for the small toenail curves.

Add a reflection or a few falling water drops beneath the raised trunk.