Drawing a cartoon skull is one of the most enjoyable ways to get creative with something that is usually associated with more serious or spooky themes. As a drawing blogger, I’ve come to appreciate how much fun it can be to take something as simple as a skull and give it personality, style, and a unique twist. Cartoon skulls are perfect for Halloween-themed art, fun characters, or just a quirky design. The key is to keep the lines simple, the shapes exaggerated, and have a bit of fun with it.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to draw a cartoon skull step-by-step, with easy-to-follow instructions that both beginners and more experienced artists can enjoy. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to create your own cartoon skulls with a variety of styles. Plus, you can give them cool expressions, accessories, and a fun vibe!
Why Drawing a Cartoon Skull is Fun
Drawing a skull might sound intimidating at first, but once you break it down into simple shapes and exaggerated features, it becomes a fun, creative process. Unlike realistic skulls, which require more precise details, cartoon skulls give you the freedom to experiment with different shapes and sizes. You can make the eyes huge, the teeth crooked, and the overall appearance whimsical or even cute. It’s all about capturing the essence of a skull without getting bogged down by perfect anatomical accuracy.
One of the best parts about drawing cartoon skulls is that they’re perfect for developing your own unique style. You can create goofy, scary, or silly-looking skulls by simply changing a few key features, making it a great exercise for creativity.
Materials You’ll Need
Before diving into the actual drawing process, here are the basic materials you’ll need to draw a cartoon skull:
Pencil (any standard pencil works, but an HB or 2B is ideal for sketching)
Eraser (a kneaded eraser is great for adjusting shapes)
Paper (smooth drawing paper or a sketchbook)
Black fine-liner or ink pen (for inking)
Colored pencils, markers, or crayons (optional, for adding color)
Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to start drawing!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw a Cartoon Skull
Now let’s break down the process of drawing a cartoon skull into easy-to-follow steps. Each step focuses on building the skull from basic shapes, making it simple to follow along.
Step 1: Draw the Basic Skull Shape
To begin, start with a large oval shape for the top of the skull. This will be the main portion of the head. You can make the oval more rounded or slightly elongated, depending on how you want your cartoon skull to look. Don’t worry about making it perfect—this is just the foundation of your drawing.
Below the oval, draw a smaller, more rectangular shape that will represent the jaw. The rectangle should be slightly wider than it is tall, and it will connect to the bottom of the oval to form the base of the skull. The overall shape should look like a big, round head with a flat bottom for the jaw.
Step 2: Add Guidelines for Facial Features
Next, we’ll add some guidelines to help position the eyes, nose, and mouth. Lightly sketch a vertical line down the center of the skull to divide it in half. Then, add a horizontal line across the middle of the oval shape. These lines will help you place the eyes and nose evenly on the skull.
For the mouth, draw another horizontal line near the bottom of the rectangle (the jaw). This will be where the teeth and mouth will go.
Step 3: Draw the Eye Sockets
Cartoon skulls often have exaggerated, large eye sockets. In this step, we’ll focus on drawing those big, expressive eyes. Using the horizontal guideline you just drew, sketch two large circles on either side of the vertical guideline. The circles should be oversized compared to the rest of the skull—that’s what gives it a fun, cartoonish look.
You can make the eyes more circular for a friendly appearance or slightly oval-shaped for a creepier look. Experiment with the size and shape to see what fits your style!
Step 4: Draw the Nose Cavity
Now it’s time to draw the nose cavity. In most cartoon skulls, the nose is drawn as a simple upside-down heart or triangle shape. Start by sketching this shape in the center of the skull, right along the vertical guideline and slightly below the horizontal eye guideline.
For a more whimsical skull, you can exaggerate the size of the nose cavity, or if you’re going for a spookier look, you can make it smaller and sharper.
Step 5: Sketch the Teeth and Mouth
One of the most fun parts of drawing a cartoon skull is designing the mouth and teeth. Start by drawing a curved line just above the bottom of the jaw for the mouth. You can make the line as wide or narrow as you like—remember, this is where the skull’s expression comes to life!
Next, draw the teeth. Cartoon skulls usually have simple, blocky teeth. You can sketch out squares or rectangles along the top of the mouth curve to represent the upper teeth. For the lower teeth, draw a few smaller squares along the bottom jawline. The teeth don’t have to be perfectly even—in fact, a little crookedness adds personality!
Step 6: Refine the Skull Shape
Now that you have the basic features in place, it’s time to refine the overall shape of the skull. Round out the top of the head and smooth out any uneven lines. You can also add a little more detail to the cheekbones by sketching small, curved lines on either side of the eyes. This will give the skull more structure.
If you want, you can exaggerate certain features, like making the cheekbones more pronounced or the jaw larger and more square.
Step 7: Add Details and Expressions
Here’s where you can get creative! Cartoon skulls look even better with extra details that give them personality. For example, you can draw cracks in the skull, small lines around the eyes, or even funny accessories like a hat or bowtie.
If you want to make your skull look mischievous, try curving the mouth into a smirk. Or, for a more surprised expression, widen the eye sockets and open the mouth a bit more.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different facial expressions—cartoon skulls are all about having fun with the design!
See Also: Darth Vader Cartoon Drawing: A Comprehensive Guide
Step 8: Ink Your Drawing
Once you’re happy with your sketch, it’s time to finalize your drawing by inking it. Using a black fine-liner or pen, carefully go over the pencil lines you want to keep. Be sure to use smooth, confident strokes for the best results. Inking your cartoon skull will make it pop and give it that clean, finished look.
After you’ve inked your drawing, let the ink dry for a few minutes before erasing any remaining pencil lines.
Step 9: Add Color (Optional)
While skulls are traditionally white, there’s no rule that says your cartoon skull has to follow that color scheme! Feel free to add color to your skull to make it stand out. You can use colored pencils, markers, or even watercolors to bring your drawing to life.
For a Halloween-themed skull, you might want to use dark, spooky colors like purple, green, or black. Or, if you’re going for a more playful look, try bright colors like pink or blue. You can also add shading to give your skull some depth and dimension.
Tips for Drawing Cartoon Skulls
Now that you’ve learned the basics of how to draw a cartoon skull, here are a few extra tips to help you improve your drawings and develop your style:
Keep It Simple
The beauty of cartoon skulls lies in their simplicity. Don’t overcomplicate the design with too many details. Focus on bold shapes and expressive features.
Experiment with Different Styles
There are endless ways to draw a cartoon skull. You can make them cute, funny, scary, or goofy. Try experimenting with different shapes for the eyes, nose, and mouth to create your own unique version of a skull.
Practice Different Expressions
Cartoon skulls are more than just static drawings—they can have lots of personality! Practice drawing your skull with different expressions, such as happy, surprised, or angry. Changing the position of the mouth and eyes can completely transform the skull’s mood.
Use References for Inspiration
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for your cartoon skull, try looking at references for inspiration. You can find examples of cartoon skulls in Halloween decorations, video games, or animated shows. Studying other artists’ work can give you ideas for your own creations.
Have Fun with It
The most important thing when drawing cartoon skulls is to have fun! Don’t worry too much about getting everything perfect. Cartoon drawing is all about expressing your creativity and enjoying the process.
Conclusion
Drawing a cartoon skull is a fun and rewarding experience that allows you to flex your creative muscles while keeping things simple. By breaking the skull down into basic shapes, adding exaggerated features, and playing with different expressions, you can create a variety of unique and exciting designs.
Now that you know how to draw a cartoon skull, it’s time to grab your pencils and start practicing! Whether you’re drawing for Halloween, creating a fun character, or just doodling for fun, cartoon skulls are a great way to explore new artistic possibilities. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
Related Topics:
Cartoon Barbie Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide