When painting an abstract skull with watercolors, consider these techniques for the best results:
Tutorial on Painting a Skull with Acrylic Paint – Part 2
In my earlier videos, I showed how I painted the abstract background of my latest piece. Since then, I have shifted all my attention to the star of the painting itself, Mr. Skull. I started by applying the base color. It doesn’t have to be perfect but in the long run, it definitely helps to properly outline the shape of the subject you are painting. Titan Buff acrylic paint is what I usually use for the base of my skull paintings. Were you planning on using white? Take a look at a real skull and I guarantee that you won’t see a speck of pure white on it. I recommend a spooky trip to the cemetery if you don’t believe me.
With the base done, the next step is to give it some shape by adding very basic shading. Don’t you reach for that jug of black paint! Realistic shadows are NOT BLACK. In most cases, the logical color to use would be violet. It is complementary to yellow which is the color of sunlight. But for my skulls, I tend to use a darker shade of the most dominant color in the scene. For example, if I have a scene that is predominantly orange, then my shadows could be Raw Umber. In this particular case, the background is mostly pink and purple so I decided to use Dioxazine Purple for the basic shading.
I usually mix the base and shading colors to start building layers of paint on the canvas. Water is mixed in regularly to keep the paint fluid but more importantly to add a bit of translucency. The latter is very important when layering paint but requires some trial and error to find the exact proportions of paint and water. If the paint is too wet, it’ll simply smudge the layer below. If it’s too thick, it’ll cover the previous layer. Using a soft round brush helps spread the paint evenly.
The last thing to do here was to go in with a smaller brush and use pure dioxazine purple to fill in the eyes, nose and any other high contrast areas such as the deep cracks, teeth, etc. This doesn’t have to be perfect but it will definitely breath life into your painting…
In the next video, I will repeat the same process to complete the delicious frozen snacks that are on this skull’s mind. Leave a comment below if you have any questions. I will try to address them all in Part 3 of these series of tutorials.
Materials:
Below is a list of recommended materials. This includes the ‘Amazon Affiliate’ program, and you support The Art Sherpa when using it. It is linked here to make things convienient and easy for you.
Paint Colors
http://www.silverbrush.com/the-art-sherpareg.html Find your favorite or closest retailer here http://www.silverbrush.com/where-to-buy1.html Go online http://www.silverbrush.com/online-resellers.html We love to see pictures of you with your brushes. You can share your new treasures with us online on any social website #ArtSherpaBrushes #silverbrushlimited
Have fun Live with The Art Sherpa during this BEGINNER HOW TO PAINT art lesson in acrylic art tutorial. This is an easy, fun, social art lesson for canvas. We talk about art and other fun subjects. With help and guidance, anyone can paint. You can paint!
Want to see something? Just comment! Tell me what you’d like to paint, or what you want to know about art. This is YOUR art journey. Open your heart and access your art.
HEART MAIL: The Art Sherpa 9490 fm 1960 RD W suite 200 Humble TX 77338
Artwork is the property of Cinnamon Cooney and The Art Sherpa LLC. and is intended for the personal enjoyment of the student. You may sell, donate or Gift a painting you do following one of my lessons in a private setting. If a paintings you make of my original design are offered for sale in a retail setting of any kind ( this includes online) , please attribute ‘Original design by Cinnamon Cooney, The Art Sherpa. www.theartsherpa.com’ Please, create no prints or mechanical reproductions of your paintings of my original design. This is a violation of my copyright and use policy.
If you’d like to share our tutorial/original painting design with a church group, skilled nursing facility or other nonprofit interest, do get in touch with Labs we can help you
For commercial use or licensing in the painting party, social painting, or other venues; please visit our business website:
Beginners learn to paint full acrylic art lesson of a Simple Skull in foggy smoke. Fully guided Live streaming Step by step 1 hoot Skull
*** Assorted Brushes for Acrylic Painting *** For Brush Care use, cleaning and for a list of Retailers that carry them GO TO the links below to find out more about them and where to buy
2100 Cambridge™ Brights #8 #4 2500 Ruby Satin® #2 bright
http://www.silverbrush.com/the-art-sherpareg.html Find your favorite or closest retailer here http://www.silverbrush.com/where-to-buy1.html Go online http://www.silverbrush.com/online-resellers.html We love to see pictures of you with your brushes. You can share your new treasures with us online on any social website #ArtSherpaBrushes #silverbrushlimited
Zinc White : http://amzn.to/1U1eEFp Mars Black: http://amzn.to/1U1eqOw Titanium White: http://amzn.to/1XqooGI Cellulose sponge no scrubby Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid Gloss : http://amzn.to/2hjuE5T painted black 11X14 Primed Smooth Artist Panel : https://amzn.to/2kXIA8a 27.94 X 35.56 cm
Have fun Live with The Art Sherpa during this BEGINNER HOW TO PAINT art lesson in acrylic art tutorial. This is an easy, fun, social art lesson for canvas. We talk about art and other fun subjects. With help and guidance, anyone can paint. You can paint!
Want to see something? Just comment! Tell me what you’d like to paint, or what you want to know about art. This is YOUR art journey. Open your heart and access your art.
HEART MAIL: The Art Sherpa 9490 fm 1960 RD W suite 200 Humble TX 77338
Artwork is the property of Cinnamon Cooney and The Art Sherpa LLC. and is intended for the personal enjoyment of the student. You may sell, donate or Gift a painting you do following one of my lessons in a private setting. If a paintings you make of my original design are offered for sale in a retail setting of any kind ( this includes online) , please attribute ‘Original design by Cinnamon Cooney, The Art Sherpa. www.theartsherpa.com’ Please, create no prints or mechanical reproductions of your paintings of my original design. This is a violation of my copyright and use policy.
If you’d like to share our tutorial/original painting design with a church group, skilled nursing facility or other nonprofit interest, do get in touch with Labs we can help you
For commercial use or licensing in the painting party, social painting, or other venues; please visit our business website:
Ink Drawing
Ink drawing is another fantastic medium for creating striking abstract skull art. With its bold lines and high contrast, ink can truly make your skull artwork stand out. Let’s explore the different types of ink, tools, and techniques you can use for your next ink drawing project.
Types of Ink
- India ink is a popular choice for its intense black color and permanence. It’s waterproof and won’t fade over time.
- Pigment-based inks offer a wide range of colors and are resistant to fading. They’re ideal for adding a touch of color to your abstract skull art.
- Dip pens and bottled inks provide more control and precision, while brush pens with pre-filled ink cartridges offer convenience and portability.
Drawing Tools and Materials
- Choose from a variety of tools, such as dip pens, fountain pens, brush pens, or even traditional brushes, depending on your desired effect and level of control.
- Heavyweight paper or illustration board provides a sturdy surface for your ink drawing. Consider using smooth, hot-pressed paper for fine details or cold-pressed paper for a more textured look.
- Keep a scrap piece of paper nearby to test your ink flow and brush strokes before applying them to your artwork.
Shading Techniques
When drawing an abstract skull with ink, there are several shading techniques you can use to add depth and dimension to your artwork:
- Hatching: Create parallel lines that vary in length and spacing to suggest different tones.
- Cross-hatching: Layer hatching lines in different directions to build up darker values.
- Stippling: Use small dots to create various tones and textures. The closer the dots, the darker the area will appear.
- Washes: Dilute your ink with water and apply it with a brush to create smooth gradients and subtle shadows in your abstract skull art.
Digital Art
Digital art opens up a world of possibilities for creating unique and captivating abstract skull designs. With the right software and tools, you can experiment with various styles and techniques, and easily make adjustments to your artwork. Let’s take a look at some popular software options, digital tablets, and tips for painting your abstract skull art digitally.
Software Options
- Adobe Photoshop: A powerful and widely-used software for digital art, Photoshop is packed with features that can help you create stunning abstract skull designs.
- Procreate: This popular iPad app offers a more intuitive and natural drawing experience, with a wide variety of brushes and tools to choose from.
- Krita: A free, open-source software that is ideal for digital painting and offers a range of brushes and features specifically designed for artists.
- Clip Studio Paint: Known for its smooth, customizable brushes and user-friendly interface, this software is an excellent choice for digital artists of all levels.
Digital Tablets and Accessories
- Wacom tablets, such as the Intuos or Cintiq, are popular choices for their pressure sensitivity, accuracy, and overall performance.
- Apple’s iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil is a more portable option, perfect for working on your abstract skull art on the go.
- Consider investing in a tablet glove to reduce friction and accidental touch inputs while drawing.
- Customize your tablet settings and shortcuts to improve your workflow and efficiency.
Digital Painting Tips and Tricks
Here are some helpful tips for creating abstract skull art using digital tools:
- Start with a rough sketch to plan out your composition and lay down the basic shapes of your abstract skull.
- Work in layers to keep different elements of your artwork separate, making it easier to edit and adjust later on.
- Experiment with different brushes and blending modes to achieve a variety of textures and effects in your digital painting.
- Don’t be afraid to zoom in and focus on the details, but remember to regularly zoom out and view your artwork as a whole to ensure a cohesive look.
- Take advantage of the digital medium’s flexibility by trying out different color schemes, effects, and styles until you find the perfect abstract skull design.
Mixed Media Art
Mixed media art allows you to blend various mediums, techniques, and materials to create one-of-a-kind abstract skull pieces. This approach encourages experimentation, pushing the boundaries of traditional art. Let’s explore how to select materials, combine different mediums, and find inspiration for your mixed media abstract skull art.
Selecting Materials
- Consider using materials like paper, fabric, or found objects to add texture and depth to your abstract skull design.
- Choose materials that complement each other and work well together, such as acrylic paint and collage elements.
- Experiment with unconventional materials like sand, dried leaves, or even metal scraps to create unique effects in your artwork.
- Remember that different materials may require specific tools and adhesives, so be prepared with a diverse set of art supplies.
Combining Different Mediums
- Layer different mediums to create interesting visual effects, such as using watercolor for the background and ink for the abstract skull details.
- Play with transparency by using materials like tracing paper or vellum to add a sense of depth to your artwork.
- Try combining traditional and digital mediums, like starting with a hand-drawn sketch and then enhancing it in a digital painting program.
- Look for balance and harmony between the different mediums, ensuring that no single element overpowers the others.
Finding Inspiration for Mixed Media
Discovering inspiration for your mixed media abstract skull art can be as simple as exploring the world around you. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Visit art galleries or museums to draw inspiration from other artists’ mixed media works.
- Explore different cultures and their artistic traditions, incorporating elements into your abstract skull design.
- Turn to nature for inspiration, using organic shapes and textures to enhance your artwork.
- Look for inspiration in popular culture, like movies, music, or books, and see how you can integrate those themes into your abstract skull art.
- Challenge yourself with a particular theme or concept, and see how you can convey that through mixed media.
As you dive into the world of mixed media abstract skull art, remember to embrace the process and enjoy the journey of experimentation and discovery. Each new technique and material you try out will only add to your artistic toolkit, allowing you to create truly unique and captivating artwork.
If you enjoyed this blog post and are looking to dive deeper into the world of sculpting, don’t miss out on the workshop titled ‘How to Sculpt a Skull’ by Andrew Joseph Keith. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating a realistic skull sculpture, helping you develop your skills and artistic techniques to create an impressive piece of artwork.
