Why I Drew a Skull (And Why It Can Make You a Better Artist)
At first glance, you might wonder why an artist known for pet portraits and teaching beginners would decide to draw a skull wrapped in flowers and vines.
The answer is simple.
Because stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the fastest ways to improve as an artist.
This particular piece was inspired by the decorative skulls associated with Mexico's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Contrary to what many people think, these aren't intended to be frightening. They celebrate remembrance, life and the enduring connections we have with those we've loved.
What fascinated me wasn't the symbolism alone—it was the opportunity to combine two complete opposites.
Strong, solid bone.
Soft, flowing vines.
Delicate flowers.
Organic movement wrapped around rigid structure.
That contrast creates an interesting drawing challenge.
There's more to a skull than meets the eye
Many beginner artists avoid drawing skulls because they assume they're incredibly difficult.
In reality, they're one of the best subjects you can study.
A skull teaches:
proportion
symmetry
light and shadow
form
perspective
texture
Once you understand the structure beneath the face, drawing portraits becomes much easier.
Artists have studied skulls for centuries for exactly this reason.
Adding your own creativity
Rather than creating an anatomical study, I wanted to produce something more expressive.
The twisting vines naturally guide your eye around the composition, while the flowers soften what could otherwise feel like a harsh subject.
It's a reminder that drawing doesn't always have to be a perfect copy of reality.
Sometimes combining unexpected ideas produces something far more interesting.
Don't let the subject put you off
One thing I often hear from beginner artists is:
"I could never draw something like that."
The truth is every drawing starts with simple shapes.
This piece began with basic construction lines before gradually adding detail.
The complexity comes from building layer upon layer—not from attempting to draw everything perfectly at the start.
That's exactly how I teach.
Break complex subjects into manageable stages and suddenly they're far less intimidating.
Every drawing teaches you something
Whether you're drawing a pet portrait, a landscape, flowers or something inspired by Day of the Dead, every piece develops your observation skills.
Each drawing teaches you something new.
And that's far more important than choosing the "perfect" subject.
If you've always wanted to learn to draw but don't know where to start, I'd love to help.
My relaxed one-to-one art lessons are designed for complete beginners through to improving artists, helping you build confidence one step at a time.
