
The designs are typically symmetrical, which means the designs are the same on each side of the skull. Some sugar skulls are decorated with names while others are highly decorated with different floral and line designs. Then, add a nose by drawing an upside-down “V” with three bumpy lines connecting the bottom. Repeat on the other side.Īdd a line for the mouth and two dots with large circles around them for the eyes.įinish off by adding bumpy lines on the top and bottom of the mouth to create teeth. This is the chin so don’t make the curve line too wide. Curve and continue the line down to the bottom dot. Starting at the right hand dot, draw a short, angled line down towards the bottom dot. This will create the rounded top of the skull.

Make a small dot near the top, bottom, and two sides at the fold lines.įrom the top dot, draw a curved line to the right hand dot. – Black oil pastel, crayon or waterproof markerįold a 9″ x 12″ paper into fourths. – 12″ x 9″ white sulphite paper or watercolor paper
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS SKELETON SKETCH HOW TO
Take a look! This quick video below shows you how to draw and paint a sugar skull WITHOUT using a template. I know I do, but as I continue to learn and grow each day, I am recognizing what’s even more important…and in this case, it’s taking the time to learn about a unique culture that is not my own first AND honor the cultural significance of this holiday that emphasizes remembrance and tradition behind the sugar skull…a process that will hopefully help foster appreciation when modeled to your students. Who doesn’t love the bright colors, the beautiful flowers and the tradition of celebrating and honoring our loved ones who have passed? Sometimes these skulls are decorated with the name of a person or other brightly colored designs. Placing a decorated sugar skull, also called a calavera, that represents a departed soul on an ofrenda is just one tradition that accompanies this Día de los Muertos. Our Day of the Dead Catrina Marker Drawings & Celebration Altar is another great lesson to tie in with this project if you are looking for others that are relevant to this holiday. If you’d like to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos this year, I’ve got some great ideas for you.Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a two-day holiday in November that originated in Mexico but is celebrated in many other places as well.īeing so close to Halloween, it is often incorrectly associated and although the word “death” may be in the name, this holiday is about honoring those who have passed rather than focusing on death and sorrow.įamilies and friends gather to remember loved ones, pray and offer special items such as flowers and even food and drinks on an ofrenda, or home-build altar, for their spiritual journey.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS SKELETON SKETCH PLUS
Plus there’s delicious food and drink involved. What do I love about the holiday? Well, not only do I love learning about other cultures and their traditions – but I also love the bright colors and the sugar skulls ( calaveras) that people use in the crafts surrounding Day of the Dead. It’s definitely about celebrating lives lost rather than mourning.

Potential ways to participate include building altars ( ofrendas) for dead relatives, setting up special decorations in honor of them, and visiting their graves to burn candles or leave offerings. This day commemorates the lives of loved ones who have died and is characterized by lively, colorful celebrations!

While it is mostly celebrated in Mexico, it has become popular in other parts of the world in recent years. Day of the Dead (also known as Dia de Los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated on November 1st – 2nd each year, right after Halloween.
