Elephant Anatomy Vol. 1: Drawing Skeletons & Musculature

This comprehensive workshop series by industry veteran Terryl Whitlatch focuses on the anatomy and paleontology of real elephants and their prehistoric relatives. Terryl’s in-depth teachings provide the firm foundation necessary for designing elephant-inspired imaginary creatures with ease, authority, and believability. Professional concept artists and students of creature design will gain the essential and practical knowledge necessary to depict animals with a high degree of plausibility and versatility and to apply these principles to create designs suitable for the Entertainment Industry and Scientific Community.


Volume 1 focuses on the Asian and African elephants and their prehistoric relatives. Skeletal, musculature, and shorthand versions of complex anatomy are demonstrated, and Terryl narrates with an in-depth discussion of the natural history and evolutionary processes that have shaped the various species of the elephant family. Her authentic knowledge reveals how the history and evolution of real-world animals have helped influence the design of similar creatures in the realm of Fantasy and Science-Fiction. Terryl covers both realistic and stylistically exaggerated approaches as they apply to animation, games, and film..


Upon completion of this two-volume workshop series, students will gain a solid understanding of the skeletal and muscular anatomies of elephants and their relatives; knowledge of the elephant family and its place in the world across time; and from this foundation, will be able to design creatures inspired by elephants for a wide variety of entertainment-oriented projects — regardless of style or aesthetic..


Volume 2 focuses on Prehistoric species of elephants, including the Mammoth and Mastodon. The second portion of Volume 2 dives into the design of imaginary, elephant-inspired species. Terryl’s designs include the Oliphant, Behemoth, Exaggerated and Stylized designs, and a final bonus chapter looks at the skelton and musculature of a Manatee. .


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