Skulls are one of my favorite things to draw when I want to practice observation and simplify complex forms. They’re full of personality, natural symmetry, and subtle variations. If you've ever typed “how to draw a skull step by step” into Google and ended up overwhelmed by hyper-polished diagrams, you're not alone.
I’ve been there too—and I want to offer a more relaxed, expressive approach that builds your observational skills instead of making you feel like you have to get everything perfect on the first try.
I’ll walk you through how I approach drawing skulls in a way that emphasizes large shapes first, then builds toward the smaller details. My style leans into loose, confident lines and lets the messiness be part of the final piece. Whether you're using a ballpoint pen, a 2B pencil, or charcoal, the method I’m sharing works across materials.
If you enjoy observational drawing or you're looking to explore more expressive sketching, check out my posts on expressive drawing or this set of simple daily drawing prompts that includes anatomy and bones.
Key Points Before You Start
- Focus on big shapes first before diving into details. Think of the skull as a blocky mass, not as a precise set of lines.
- Let your lines be loose and exploratory. Don’t erase too much. Sketch like you’re figuring something out.
- Observe carefully. Even though we’re being expressive, this is still observational drawing. Look more than you draw.
How to Draw a Skull Step by Step
I always start with a real reference—either a photo of a skull or an actual model if I have one nearby. A side or 3/4 view is more interesting than straight-on, so go with that if you can.
Step 1: Block In the Basic Shape
I start by lightly sketching a large oval or circle to represent the main part of the cranium. You don’t need to stress about making it perfect—just aim for the general mass. From there, I add a squared-off shape for the jaw, connecting it roughly where it seems to attach in your reference.
At this point, I’m thinking more about proportion and overall layout than details. If you're not sure how wide or long to make something, hold your pencil up to the reference image and compare proportions. And if you're just using your imagination, that's fine too. Even a cartoonish skull can benefit from good structure.
Think of this step like drawing with large shapes first, almost like you're sculpting a lump of clay. You’re setting the stage.
Step 2: Add the Centerline and Eye Sockets
The centerline is your anchor. Lightly sketch a vertical line down the middle of the face to keep things aligned. If you're working in a 3/4 view, curve that centerline to match the perspective.
For the eye sockets, I draw two large, roughly rectangular shapes tilted slightly to follow the curve of the skull. You’re aiming for placement and size more than accuracy right now. Try to feel the depth of the skull—those sockets are recessed, so keep that in mind when placing shadows later.
Step 3: Place the Nose and Cheekbones
The nose cavity sits right on the centerline and usually looks like an upside-down heart or a triangle with rounded corners. Sketch it in loosely.
Next, I build out the cheekbones, which often curve outward like a pair of wings. Don’t be afraid to exaggerate their structure a little—they’re some of the most defining parts of the skull.
These marks can stay messy. I use overlapping lines to feel out the form, and I rarely erase. Like I mention in drawing is imperfect, the character of your lines matters more than precision.
Step 4: Sketch the Teeth Area Without Obsessing
Teeth are easy to overdo. I treat them as a block—just one shape at first—and add only enough lines to suggest separation. A single horizontal curve can indicate the gumline. Then a few vertical lines suggest the rows.
For the bottom teeth, angle them back into the jaw a bit. Think of them wrapping inward. And don’t worry if they’re uneven—imperfection here makes it feel more human.
If you want help with proportion at this stage, the post on how to draw face proportions has some handy principles.
Step 5: Add Shading and Shadow Shapes
This is when things start to click. I squint at the reference to reduce details and focus on values. I look for large shapes of shadow first—in the eye sockets, under the cheekbones, around the jaw hinge.
You don’t need to shade everything. Just pick a few key areas and use hatching, crosshatching, or scribbled lines to create depth. Don’t worry about smoothness—texture adds realism.
For more on this kind of energetic shading, try experimenting with mark making and materiality. Let the drawing look drawn.
Embrace the Messy, Expressive Side
I used to think skulls had to be drawn tightly and anatomically correct. But honestly, some of my favorite skull sketches came from quick 10-minute sessions with a ballpoint pen and no erasing. Imperfection adds energy.
If you find yourself overthinking your sketch, do a quick version using your non-dominant hand to loosen up. Or try drawing it from memory and then checking against your reference.
Want More Practice?
Here are a few ways to keep going after you finish your first skull drawing:
- Do a sketchbook challenge where you draw skulls in different styles for a week
- Add backgrounds or texture after drawing your skull with these background in art ideas
- Try drawing other anatomy, like birds or elephants, using my how to draw a bird step by step or how to draw an elephant step by step guides
- Pull a theme from this list of random themes to draw and incorporate skulls into it
You can also check out my full list of drawing prompts for beginners or try some easy ideas for drawing if you want to keep the momentum going.
What should I draw a skull with?
Whatever you have. I often use a BIC pen or a cheap mechanical pencil. You can make expressive drawings with anything, even colored pencils on black paper. The tool doesn’t matter as much as your mindset.
Should I learn skull anatomy first?
It helps, but it’s not essential. Drawing from observation is more important. You can always deepen your understanding later. If you want to approach it analytically, you might enjoy analytical drawing techniques.
What if my skull drawing looks wrong?
Good. That means you're learning. I talk more about this in drawing is imperfect. You can always sketch another one. Drawing is a process, not a performance.
How do I preserve a pencil skull drawing?
If you're drawing with pencil and want to keep it from smudging, use a spray fixative or follow these tips on how to preserve a pencil drawing.
How can I make my skull drawings more unique?
Try mixing in your own themes or drawing styles. I love using prompts from my list of sketchbook theme ideas to give each drawing a bit of narrative or mood.