WIP Superstition - Elephant and Bee, 4 versions

ElBench

I heard that elephants are afraid of bees. Farmers even use bees to protect crops. Turns out a bees sting can't pierce elephant hide. So I guess you can say its an elephant's superstition!

My idea was to illustrate an elephant being afraid of a bee, but make the bee look harmless. I drew 4 versions. Which one do you think is most expressive? Which tells the best story? Critiques are super appreciated.

(Also shoutout to Aaron Blaise's how to draw elephants pdf. You can get by subscribing to his mailing list found it very helpful)

Chip Valecek

@Mr-Kite I like the bottom one. Maybe put the fly swatter in his hand.

ElBench

@Chip-Valecek Good idea! Cheers for the feedback

Kat

I like the third and last ones both. Maybe add a farmer encouraging the bees toward the elephant?

TessaW

I love the second one, though I think the anatomy could be more convincing on the elephant's legs. The tension is really palpable in this version! I love that the bee is totally oblivious and innocent to the fear she's causing, and the picnic on the flower is a nice gag.

ElBench

@TessaW Fair point, I'll keep it mind. Thanks for the comments!

ElBench

@Kat Yeah I think I'm leaning third as well. Hadn't thought of putting in the farmer and i think that would tell more of a story, will def sketch it out. Cheers