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how to draw a skull

How to draw a skull - a free skull drawing guide

Draw a simple human skull step by step using pencil and paper, learning basic shapes, proportions, and gentle shading to create a recognizable skull.

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How To Draw A Skull (for kids)

What you need

Pencil, eraser, sharpener, paper, tissue or cotton swab for blending, colouring materials optional

Step 1

Gather the materials listed and sit at a flat table ready to draw.

Step 2

Lightly sketch a large oval in the middle of the paper to make the skull's main shape.

Step 3

Draw a vertical center line straight down the middle of the oval to help place features.

Step 4

Draw a horizontal line halfway down the oval to mark where the eye sockets will sit.

Step 5

On the left side of the center line draw one large rounded eye socket shape.

Step 6

On the right side of the center line draw a matching rounded eye socket shape.

Step 7

Draw a small upside-down heart or triangle on the center line below the eye line to make the nasal cavity.

Step 8

Sketch two curved lines from each side of the oval toward the nose to show the cheekbone hollows.

Step 9

Draw two short downward lines from the cheekbones and join them with a soft U shape to form the jaw and chin.

Step 10

Draw a light horizontal line across the upper jaw to mark the top of the teeth row.

Step 11

Add several short vertical lines along that horizontal line to indicate individual teeth.

Step 12

Shade gently inside the eye sockets the nasal cavity and under the cheekbones using light pencil strokes and blend with a tissue for soft shadows.

Step 13

Erase the center and guide lines that you no longer need and darken the skull's final outlines where needed.

Step 14

Take a picture of your finished skull and share your creation on DIY.org.

Help!?

What can I use instead of a tissue to blend the shadows in the eye sockets and under the cheekbones?

Use a clean fingertip, a cotton ball, or a folded paper towel to softly blend the light pencil strokes inside the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and under the cheekbones.

My eye sockets look uneven or the jaw is lopsided—how do I fix that?

Lightly erase the offending side and re-sketch using the vertical center line and the horizontal eye line as guides to realign the matching rounded eye socket or the jaw's soft U shape.

How can I adapt this skull drawing activity for younger kids or older kids?

For younger children simplify by drawing only the large oval, two big rounded eye sockets and a triangle nose, while older kids can add the short vertical tooth lines, softer blended shadows with a tissue, and darker final outlines for realism.

How can we extend or personalize the finished skull before sharing it on DIY.org?

Add decorative cracks or patterns around the cheekbone hollows, color the teeth or eye sockets with colored pencils, darken and stylize the final outlines, then take a picture of your finished skull to share on DIY.org.

4 Videos

Fun Facts

🦴 An adult human skull is made of 22 bones — babies start with softer spots called fontanelles!

💀 Artists have long studied skulls to learn face proportions — it’s the face’s scaffolding.

✏️ Most skull drawings start from a few simple shapes: circles, ovals and rectangles.

🧠 The eye sockets are large openings; shading them darker helps a skull look three-dimensional.

🎨 Soft shading and gentle hatching with a pencil can turn a flat outline into a realistic skull.

How do I draw a simple human skull step by step?

Start lightly with a pencil: draw an oval for the cranium and a vertical centerline. Add a smaller oval or U-shape below for the jaw. Mark horizontal lines to place the eye sockets and nose. Block in eye sockets as rounded rectangles and a small upside-down heart or triangle for the nose. Sketch teeth as short vertical marks along the jaw line. Refine contours, erase construction lines, then add gentle shading in the eye sockets, under cheekbones, and below the brow to create depth. Work lightly

What materials do I need to draw a skull?

You’ll need plain drawing paper, a few pencils (HB for construction, 2B–4B for darker lines and shading), a soft eraser and a kneaded eraser for lifting tones, a pencil sharpener, and a blending stump or tissue for smooth shading. Optional: a ruler for initial proportion lines and a clean reference image. Use pencil cases and supervise sharpeners with younger children for safety.

What ages is this skull drawing activity suitable for?

This activity suits children about 6 and up with adult help; younger kids can copy simpler, cartoon-style skulls. Ages 8–12 are great for learning proportions and basic shading, while teens can handle more realistic forms and subtle tones. Adjust complexity to the child’s attention and emotional comfort: offer stylized or friendly skull designs for sensitive or very young artists.

What are the benefits and safety tips for kids drawing skulls?

Drawing skulls teaches observation, basic anatomy, proportion, fine motor control, and shading techniques—valuable art fundamentals. It also builds patience and attention to detail. For safety and comfort, avoid graphic realism for young children, use non-toxic pencils, supervise sharp tools, and encourage friendly or stylized versions if the subject feels scary. Praise effort and focus on learning shapes rather than perfect accuracy.

Ready to create?