The elephant in Sri Lanka is one of the three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and the population is restricted to the dry zone of the North, East, and Southeast of Sri Lanka, but with this nation having a dense population of Asian elephants, human-elephant conflict is growing due to conversion of elephant habitat to settlements and permanent cultivation. The elephant serves as a symbolic, cultural, and economic icon in Sri Lankan Buddhism and is held as a quasi-sacred animal. Carrying the relics of the Buddha in religious ceremonies and rituals, both elephant keepers and owners gain religious merit by participating in these functions. Mediums for this art include ink pen, pencil sketch, and even wood burning. The traditional, one-colored patterns symbolize the country's culture and tradition.
Pencil Sketch of the Sri Lankan Elephant
Shape is drawn with a 4B pencil, and pattern is then drawn with a sharp 2B pencil, shading is finally done with a duller 4B pencil. Drawn by Peter Lee.
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