Draw a Super Simple Skull
This is about as basic and simple as it gets. This mushroom shaped skull is easy to draw. Rough out the basic shape with pencil and then trace over the best lines with black ink.

Draw a Cartoon Style Skull
I saw some old timey cartoon sugar skulls using a skull shaped like this. The eyes they chose were large and round like old cartoon characters. You might want to try this. Do your best to make both sides of this skull symetrical.

Draw a Classic Skull
This skull has cheeks that swoop out to the sides to give it a more dramatic look. You can make yours with slimmer cheeks if these are too much for you. I just blocked this out in pencil and then drew over it with black ink.

Inspiration for Eyes, Noses and Mouths
Think of this as Mr. Potato Head for sugar skulls. Choose a set of eyes, a nose and a mouth and add them to your skull. These are simplified examples. If you have good drawing skills you can use your own facial parts. More examples are available in the book Dark Celebrations.
Click the images to see a bigger image of each picture.
Finished Examples
Here are some finished examples for each skull type.Â
Click the images to see a bigger image of each picture.
Do you love all things dark and creepy?
Dark Celebrations will help you create zentangle or stream of consciousness style drawings while exploring the symbolism and imagery of Goth culture, Dia de los Muertos, Halloween and Samhain. The exercises, patterns, descriptions and examples in this book will help you gain a deeper understanding of the dark side. This book clearly defines the differences between Halloween, Samhain and the Day of the Dead. It also describes Goth Culture and its romance with the macabre. Dark Celebration dives deep into the meaning behind the symbols associated with these themes. Some of the therapeutic exercises in this book offer opportunities for self-introspection. Other exercises will help you gain insight into these holidays through drawing. This book also contains a brief section on how to draw sugar skulls with Mr. Potato Head style eyes, noses and mouths to get you started. Dark Celebrations will help you gain confidence in your freehand drawing skills by providing easy to draw patterns and symbols. The book is filled with simplified motifs that anyone can incorporate into their own drawings, journals, cards and holiday decorations.