a complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in illustrator - pixel77
TRANSCRIPT
PIXEL77
30 COMMENTS
You are here: Home / Tutorials / A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator
A complete guide to drawingevil vector skulls in IllustratorOCT 25, 2011 BY DOINK
Skull drawing is a quite simple task at a glance, but once you start sketching, it probably looks
About Sitemap Contact Write for us
TUTORIALS DESIGN RESOURCES NEWS CONTESTS ARTIST OF THE WEEK FREEBIES
HOT DEALS
different from your reference (you are using a reference, right?). Then it starts to go out of proportions,
looks deformed and has no expression whatsoever. But this is OK, it is a part of the learning process
– please do not let this get to you! I, myself have gone through this and every other artist has, as well.
This tutorial will show you how to draw evil skulls easily, as well as learn a bit of anatomy along the
way. So let’s draw some really evil and nasty skulls – the right way!
References
First, we need to learn the anatomy of the skull and for that, we need a few references, which I am sure
you can find on Google images - link
Sketching
We start with simple geometrical shapes, just to block in the contour. Use only short, straight lines, do
not draw curves yet. A sketch is supposed to be rough, you can adjust it easily to correct any
mistakes. In short terms, keep your roughs rough and your cleans clean.
Unlike regular human skulls, you can add expressions and alter its overall shape to become more
aggressive.
Now that we have a pretty good idea of how to draw one, let’s draw one in a perspective view.
Simple shading
Now that we have knowledge of the outline, let’s make it pop out from the paper! In the sketch below,
I’ve marked the 3D shape with a grid. Grab your pencil and paper and mark it on your sketch as well.
I’m asking you to do this because you have a good photographic memory (you’re an artist, right?) and
drawing it yourself will turn the image you see on the screen into an elaborate process customized only
for you. It becomes a dialogue between you and the paper and makes it easier to understand and
memorize.
Outline
Now that we have a complete understanding of the shape, we can start adding polished details. Let’s
start with the outline and the strong lines that define it. For that, we will use two pressure-sensitive
brushes.
For the contour, we’ll use the thicker brush and for the inner details, a thinner brush. A strong outline
makes it stand out and it does not confuse the viewer, so outlining like this is a must.
Here’s a little trick to use for the outline: in the areas where you have a shadow, make the outline a bit
stronger than the rest. Not only you can dispose of the shadow, but it will add more volume to the
overall design.
Details
Grab the second brush we created and lets start drawing, shall we? This is a very tricky part, we only
want the outline to suggest the shape and not draw the entire contour. Keep in mind that the brain can
make you see a defined shape even if there are just a few lines. In the image below, I’ve drawn a skull
and you can tell it’s a skull at first glance, even if it doesn’t have a high level of detail.
So let’s apply this principle to our drawing.
Shading
This part is similar to the simple shading, but this time you have to pay attention to the line spacing
and length. Start drawing the basic shadows, then just fill the white gaps with random, short strokes.
That’s about it. One important aspect: Keep in mind the position of the light source. If you draw this for
a garment print, the light source is not important and you must sacrifice everything to the visual impact.
A t-shirt will look cool if you manipulate the line spacing and thickness, not shading and lighting.
Extra details
The bone structure is not very smooth, especially if you draw something old and decayed. This
enables you to add shaky lines, just to add a wee bit of texture, holes, cracks or tiny dents. It’s these
details that make a huge difference, I recommend you do this for everything you draw from this point
on. It is a personal touch and shows how much effort you’ve put into it.
Saving
Select the entire artwork and expand the strokes (Object > Expand Appearance…), then hit the
“Merge” button in the Pathfinder window. Hit it one more time if you still have Stroke. This is a technical
aspect you must do for a couple of reasons: when someone else wants to scale it, the strokes will not
scale along unless you specifically set them and the source file will have a smaller size.
Done!
Download source
Drawing skulls guide (12.3 MiB, 572 hits)
Show us somelove:
Top 40
Photoshop &
Illustrator
Tutorials from
2013
How to Create
a Metal Print
Block Graphic
Style in Adobe
Illustrator
Free Vector of
the Day #432:
Photoshop
Icons
Free Vector of
the Day #391:
Luchador
Mask
Adobe
Illustrator
Tutorial: How
to Draw an
Astrochimp
Related Posts
FILED UNDER: TUTORIALS
TAGGED WITH: GRUNGE, LAYER, MASK, PHOTOSHOP, PS, TIP, TUTORIAL
About Doink
I write articles, Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials and draw pretty stuff for
Designious, Pixel77 and Vectorious. I also drink and spill industrial amounts of
coffee.
COMMENTS
Facebook 39 Google Twitter 66 Pocket Email
Hector says
Oct 31, 2011 at 18:46
Awesome tutorial! Thanks Doink. I think I’ll give it a shot and produce a version with
no hatch work and maybe more bold positive/negative contrast that could be used on a
pumpkin carving for tonight!
Reply
kuzz808 says
Nov 2, 2011 at 23:39
i love this pic it is the best one i seen
Reply
Richard says
Nov 4, 2011 at 04:27
design is so LOUD and aggressive ..pretty awesome! :)
Reply
melanie says
Nov 23, 2011 at 14:51
I wish I could draw in illustrator! :( you’re so good, I’m jealous. :D
Reply
Rabecka Watkins says
Mar 17, 2012 at 04:41
I know who will like this one.
Reply
Marcelo Jaboo says
Jul 15, 2012 at 19:38
Menino..muito bom. Obrgado
Reply
Maddoq Town says
Sep 8, 2012 at 03:22
It's awesome.
Reply
Maddoq Town says
Sep 8, 2012 at 03:22
It's awesome.
Reply
Jéssica says
Nov 7, 2012 at 17:43
Hey man!
What is this version of Illustrator? CS3 or CS4?
Reply
Doink says
Nov 23, 2012 at 13:09
I used CS3. But it doesn’t make a huge difference, the techniques used can
be used in an even earlier version.
Reply
custom table lamp says
Jul 14, 2013 at 05:37
Hi to every one, it’s genuinely a nice for me to pay a visit this site, it includes
valuable Information.
Reply
Quintin Gerber says
Aug 13, 2013 at 20:43
Hi there,
I love the awesome tutorial! I would very much like to create such art, but my drawing skills
are lacking that department. Is it possible to learn how to draw like that??
Thanks!!!
Q
Reply
Doink says
Aug 21, 2013 at 15:22
there are a few youtube channels that explain quite well how to draw stuff.
ProkoTV is one of them, check it out.
Reply
Trackbacks
A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator | mameara | Graphic and
web design resources, and inspiration says:
Oct 27, 2011 at 16:31
[...] View Source [...]
Reply
A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator | Design News says:
Oct 29, 2011 at 16:02
[...] A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator [...]
Reply
A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator | designerbooster says:
Oct 31, 2011 at 12:11
[...] A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator is a post from Pixel 77 [...]
Reply
Nothing found for Blog 2011 10 31 27-10-11100418 says:
Oct 31, 2011 at 19:18
[...] A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator [...]
Reply
Top 10 Illustrator Tutorials Of October 2011 | creativedesignmagazine.com says:
Nov 1, 2011 at 22:08
[...] A Complete Guide To Drawing Evil Vector Skulls [...]
Reply
Sacima鲨鳍马工作室 » Blog Archive » 40+ Fresh And Useful Adobe Illustrator
Tutorials says:
Jan 6, 2012 at 19:07
[...] A Complete Guide to Drawing Evil Vector Skulls in IllustratorThis tutorial will teach you
how to pencil in evil looking skulls with ease, as well as learn a little anatomy along the way.
[...]
Reply
Photoshop VIP ☞ Illustratorをたのしむ、すごいデザインチュートリアル40個まとめ
says:
Jan 19, 2012 at 03:31
[...] 角のはえた、がい骨のイラストレーションを作成する方法 [...]
Reply
40+新鲜极富创意的Illustrator教程 | Jackchen Design 1984 says:
Feb 19, 2012 at 11:57
[...] 完成指南绘制邪恶载体头骨 [...]
Reply
[Pic]40+新鲜极富创意的Illustrator教程 « 朝九✓晚五 says:
Feb 19, 2012 at 13:25
[...] 完成指南绘制邪恶载体头骨 [...]
Reply
40+新鲜极富创意的Illustrator教程 | 8小时资讯 — 关注互联网IT科技的博客！ says:
Feb 21, 2012 at 02:16
[...] 完成指南绘制邪恶载体头骨 [...]
Reply
7 hand picked « Photoshop actions, ps actions & design stuff says:
Mar 4, 2012 at 15:50
[...] complete guide to draw vector skulls illustrator [...]
Reply
Awesome illustrator tutorials. | Puppetuts says:
Apr 23, 2012 at 12:36
[...] A Complete Guide to Drawing Evil Vector Skulls in Illustrator This tutorial will teach you
how to pencil in evil looking skulls with ease, as well as learn a little anatomy along the way.
[...]
Reply
40 Super Creative Illustrator Tutorials | The Pixlr says:
Jun 7, 2012 at 08:33
[...] Complete Guide to Drawing Evil Vector Skulls [...]
Reply
A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in Illustrator | thoppp.com says:
Jul 17, 2012 at 15:16
[...] View Tutorial Tags: Adobe, grunge, illustrator, layer, mask, Photoshop tutorial, Tutorials
[...]
Reply
Creative Illustrator Tutorials « Knowledge 'N' Entertenment says:
Dec 20, 2012 at 11:44
[...] Complete Guide to Drawing Evil Vector Skulls [...]
Reply
40 Highly Creative Illustrator Tutorials says:
Aug 17, 2013 at 16:15
[...] Complete Guide to Drawing Evil Vector Skulls [...]
Reply
90+ Best Adobe Illustrator Tutorials - InnovativePixels | InnovativePixels says:
Oct 9, 2013 at 04:53
[…] More Info […]
Reply
LEAVE A REPLY
Enter your comment here...
Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:
Email (required) (Address never made public)
Name (required)
Website
CONNECT WITH US
Search this website…
OUR SPONSOR
CHECK OUT THE LATEST INKY DEAL
209 Premium Photoshop Text Stylesfor Just $16 (value $190)
FRIENDS
Bittbox
Design inspiration and ideas
Design resources
Free vectors
Hongkiat.com
Ninja Crunch
Smashing Magazine
Vector illustrations
RECENT POSTS
15 Great Websites with Free Stock Photos
Free Vector of the Day #477: Tomato Slice
7 Quick Tips: How to Optimize Your Images for
Great Search Results
Free Vector of the Day #476: Flat Watch
5 Creative Ways to Market Yourself as a Designer
Copyright © 2013 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in