Drawing Together Episode 18: Skull-Building Exercises
this episode is Part of the Drawing Together live video series – learn more here
Time to contemplate our mortality. Really though, skulls are great objects to draw. Complex forms, subtle values, sensitive edges. And, they’re just cool to look at! Follow along as I create this skull drawing from start to finish!
Follow along using this reference image: https://bit.ly/3avQPj5
Today, I’m working with:
- White drawing paper
- Carbon Pencil
- Vine Charcoal
- Kneaded and Rubber Erasers
In this session, we’ll cover:
- How to draw a realistic skull
- Shading techniques
- Creating texture
- Subtle value control
Artists Network Membership - 1 Year
Breakthrough Paint Along: Where Mixed Media Combine Together
Paint Along 127: Paint the Motion of the Sea
Paint Along 126: Simplify Your Landscapes with a Limited Palette
Breakthrough Paint Along: The Big Value of Miniature Landscapes
Portrait Painting: Rembrandt's Techniques Video Download
Figure Drawing Tips with Brent Eviston Video Download
Southwest Art August/September 2025 Digital Edition
Artists Magazine July/August 2025 Digital Edition
Pastel Journal Summer 2025 Digital Edition
Artists Magazine March/April 2025 Digital Edition
Artists Magazine January/February 2025 Digital Edition
Best of Watercolor: Winners of the Splash 26 Competition Print Edition
Southwest Art June/July 2025 Print Edition
Artists Magazine May/June 2025 Print Edition
Southwest Art 2021 Digital Collection × 1
Watercolor Artist 2020 Digital Collection × 1
Watercolor Artist 2019 Annual Digital Collection × 1
Watercolor Mega Magazine Collection × 1
Pastel for Beginners Workshop
Composition & Design for Landscape Painting Video Workbook
Drawing Mastery: Shading Course
Alla Prima Bootcamp: 4 Weeks to Confident Painting Course
Eight Greats: The Pastel Journal's 10th Anniversary Artist Interview Series Digital Download
Secrets of Hyperrealist Watercolor Course
Acrylic Artist Summer 2017 Digital Edition
Exploring Acrylic: Abstract Art in Action Video Download
WetCanvas Live! Paint Stunning Landscapes from Photos: Lesson 23 & 24 Video Download
WetCanvas Live! Paint Stunning Landscapes from Photos: Lesson 9 & 10 Video Download
The Whimsical Face with Jane Davenport Video Download
Great instruction as always- learn so much from the little comments along the way that apply to other art…
One of my favorite sessions!
I love the almost surreal effect on a couple of these drawings. I was playing catch up on this live draw and thought I should go back and work on the teeth more. Haven’t had the time so I’ll post it anyway.
This is great!!
This is great, Jaci!
I did it twice with different pencils. It’s nice to see everybody’s work.
LOVED the skull. Everybody did so well with their drawings!!
Very nice work here! I think you captured the form well!
Very nice work here! I love the subtlety in your shading. You’re expressing the form beautifully!
Great lesson!
So outside of my norm, and so much fun! Thank you.
Great job with this! Thank you for sharing it. The value and texture are wonderful!
Thank you for posting this! This is definitely a challenging subject, but your approach looks spot-on!
This looks great! Especially as a first attempt with charcoal. Thank you for sharing!
This was done on charcoal paper which is the first time I ever used it.
Not pleased with the hair…I did your hair in your profile much better.
So here’s my skull. I’m thoroughly enjoying these sessions and grateful for the time and the encouragement to practice drawing! Looking forward to more sessions!!
Great job with this, Irene! I love the subtlety of the values and the sensitivity to edges. Very nice structure, too! -Scott
A great challenge. Learning so much
Tough one today Scott but I live a good challenge.
Wonderful work here! Thank you for watching and sharing. I love the sensitivity to edges in your drawing. Nice work with the proportions and value control as well! – Scott
great workshop, thanks!
Hello, Irene! It’s been great seeing you in these live sessions. Your drawing looks great! Nice use of the eraser. I can also see that you’re being very sensitive to pressure control. Thank you for watching and sharing your work! -Scott
Welcome, Thomas!
This looks great! I like seeing the value control and the awareness of the directional marks. Good proportion control as well! Thank you for watching and sharing your work. – Scott
I’m a rank beginner, as you can see. I’m enormously enjoying your classes. Here’s my skull. I did it in graphite pencil. I really should get some charcoal! I think it’s quite imperfect, but yes, recognisable as a skull. Thanks again!
hello from Phoenix
Haven’t missed a one. Am sketching along with Scott learning so much as I do. Thank you for this opportunity.