The Egg and the Curious Elephant

Hi everyone ! I'm Amina, an illustrator from Paris. I wanted to make a sweet piece about my favorite animal, the elephant ! I chose to illustrate a curious little elephant discovering a chick that has just hatched from its egg. Elephants have always held a special place in the iconography of children’s books — they are appealing characters, often symbolizing kindness, curiosity, and strength. Through this scene, I wanted to share a gentle and heartwarming moment that speaks to the imagination of children and celebrates the beauty of unexpected friendships. The simplicity of the composition draws attention to the expressions and interaction between the characters.

I used Procreate to during all the process, from sketches to final result. I kept the color palette simple to let the characters speak, I chose blue, purple, pink and red.

I love vintage illustrations, those with muted colors, textured lines, and a certain softness that feels timeless. They often tell quiet stories, full of charm and subtle emotion, without needing many details. I created a mood board featuring illustrators whose work I admire deeply, including the Russian artist Vladimir Vassilievitch Lebedev, whose elegant and expressive style has been a strong source of inspiration.

I started to draw in Procreate — just rough sketches at first, to get a sense of the composition. I played with shapes, as I always do when beginning a drawing, letting the forms guide the mood. I used a basic brush, keeping things simple and focused. It was clear to me from the start that I wanted the characters to be the heart of the image, the only subjects. I chose not to include a background as a reference to Russian children’s illustration — particularly inspired by Vladimir Lebedev, whose work often featured animals in clean, minimal compositions. This approach emphasizes emotion and character through simplicity, allowing the figures to speak for themselves within a quiet, uncluttered space.

I pick the sketch I like the most. Once the main shape feels right, I lock it in and start painting directly. I choose the base colors and slowly build up the values to define depth and light. Then, I begin adding details gradually, allowing the scene to develop naturally and with intention. Working on Procreate, I use the clipping mask fonction to add textures and different elements.

I finish the illustration by adding details, like lines for the hair. I chose a title for the illustration : The Egg and the curious Elephant.