Colonel Hathi, the endearing elephant from The Jungle Book, has made an indelible mark on both children and adults alike. With his amusingly pompous demeanor, command of the elephant brigade, and comedic forgetfulness, he’s a character worth sketching. Our guide will take you through the process of capturing his essence on paper. If you’ve ever wondered how to draw this iconic character, you’re in the right place.
Zooming in on Colonel Hathi’s Unique Traits
- Commanding Presence: As the leader of the elephant brigade, Colonel Hathi possesses a dominant stature. Aim for strong and broad strokes to depict his commanding appearance.
- Forgetful Nature: Although he often forgets things, Hathi’s facial expressions remain serious. Depict this by focusing on his deep-set eyes and pronounced brows.
- Comedic Undertone: Despite his stern appearance, there’s a touch of comedy in his demeanor. Subtle quirks like a raised brow or slight smirk can help convey this.
- Similar Characters: If you’re looking to expand your sketch, consider adding other memorable characters like Mowgli, Baloo, or even Kaa to create a lively jungle scene.
Understanding the Guide’s Blueprint
Our drawing guide on how to draw Colonel Hathi consists of 10 comprehensive steps. Here’s what the different colors signify:
- Red Color: Indicates the current step you should be focusing on.
- Black Color: Showcases the lines you’ve drawn in previous steps.
- Grey Color: Represents the basic sketch, helping ensure correct proportions and alignment.
For beginners, it’s worth noting that the first step is crucial for laying down the foundation of your drawing. Once you’ve completed the sketch, you have the option to ink it for a polished look. If you decide to do so, ensure you let the ink dry before erasing the pencil sketch to avoid smudging.









Now that you’ve got the hang of how to draw Colonel Hathi, it’s worth knowing there are plenty more Jungle Book characters in the works, so the herd is only going to grow from here. Colonel Hathi himself is just one piece of a much bigger cast worth sketching out. If you want a heads-up when new guides drop, the signup form at the top of the page gets you a weekly digest, and you can also follow along on Pinterest or Facebook for updates.