Drawing Skulls with a Wacom Tablet

May 24

Photoshop, Tutorials


Draw a Skull with a Wacom Tablet from Go Media on Vimeo.

This isn’t exactly a tutorial, but more of a quick “time lapse” demo of a simple illustration technique I use. In this video, I’m going to draw a skull in Photoshop with my Wacom Tablet. I will use a photo of a skull for reference and I will “trace” on top of it on a separate layer.

It’s not exactly tracing so to speak, but rather “illustrating” because I’m embellishing linework on top of a photo reference. I’m creating a line drawing of my own liking based off a photograph. Things you should pay attention to are line weights, the variation of thick to thin, stippling shading, and cross hatching.

In most cases, I’ll work with a huge document, maybe like 25″ x 30″ at 300 DPI if I’m doing a shirt design. But in this case, I will just work at 2500×2500 pixels at 300dpi. My brush settings are pretty standard. Like a 19 pixel round brush with pressure sensitivity turned on. That’s it. Sometimes I might adjust the angle of my brush and the width. So I get a little bit of a calligraphic brush going on. But it’s not always necessary.

It should give you some insight as to how I create some of my skulls. I’m usually going for a more realistic illustrated look, but sometimes if I want a more stylized look I’ll draw it freehand.

Here are some examples of designs made using this technique:

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grunge, Photoshop, tutorial, video

This post was written by:

Jeff Finley - who has written 201 posts on GoMediaZine.

I'm one of three owners of Go Media and admin of the GoMediaZine. I've been designing professionally since 2004 and I also play drums. Follow me on twitter!

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  • perhaps a slightly misleading title, perhaps something like, do you want to watch me work?

    I have started to use a wacom recently for touchups I have no drawing ability whatsoever but I do find it is far more responsive for things like cutting out pen tool style masks.
  • Perhaps "trace" would have been a better description.
    It was a cool vid none the less. Skulls are always fun.
  • Great insight, Jeff. There's just so much that can be done with Photoshop and a Wacom tablet! I gotta get a bigger one.

    Now if you wanted that to become a vector, you'd just take it to Illustrator and Live Trace it using black and white logo settings, right?
  • That was insane, Wacom is fairly difficult when you're just starting out, you make it look so easy. I'm jealous nice video and pretty cool music on their.
  • steve
    Jeff, I am in the market for a wacom tablet and was wondering if you might be able to shed some light on which might be a good one to get? I am thinking inexpensive for now...

    Any thoughts or tips?
  • Joel - yeah you could easily take this into Illustrator and Live Trace it. Must make sure you start off in PS with a huge document to get best results.
  • Steve - I use Intuos3.
  • MarcusFromPhilly
    This was really dope...meaning tight...in other words: off the chain...never a dull (learning) experience. I'm not as nice with the dagger like you guys, but I've probably learned a great deal from watching you guys (GM). All the more appreciative of the sharing.




    "Saying thank you goes a long way"
  • What was the music playing? I likey :-)

    Anyway, the video was inspirational... I've never had any mentors or been able to watch a master of drawing over the shoulder, so this gives a great glimps into how people work, where they start, move along with it, and finish.

    Thanks for the encouragement!
  • Guido
    Great video!
    I was wondering how long did you work on this single skull?
  • Wonderful video. I too have a tablet and can't live without it. Viva la Wacom!
  • Jimmy
    Your style is always refreshing, regardless of whether some would like to call it a "trace" or not, coming up with the actual flow or vibe is not as easy as you have made it appear.

    Thanks!
  • davey boy
    so i dig the tutorial and this may sound like a dumb question, but is that brush used in the tutorial a default PS brush or does it need to downloaded from somewheres else?
  • Jim
    Great video, thanks for posting!
  • Tom
    Hey Jeff,

    cool vid! can i ask you what sort of printing you used on the last 2 shirt designs? is that some sort of full color screen print?

    cheers,
    Tom
  • era3572
    that is tight im a novice at this digital medium iam an airbrush artist ,graffiti writer,and fine artist. how do you draw in photo shop without making solid shapes?
  • Joe Baron
    This was an inspirational look on how you create some of your skulls. I enjoy seeing what techniques people use to create their work. Now my question is why do you make your files so big? I understand 300dpi, but for a shirt design it seems that your document is rather large.
  • Holy hell, what is that music? Sounds alot like Comeback Kid.

    Anyway, awesome video - I should really invest in a nice tablet...
  • Above This Fire - Invisible Ink for anyone else interested.
  • justin daniel
    Awesome tutorial - the naysayers are chumps. Great way to do illustrations & shirts.

    Where would I buy one of the bottom two shirts from they are rad.
  • Lanie
    Your skulls remind me a little of Jeremy Fish.
  • Jonathan
    Awesome tutorial,Have applied this technique to most of my designs and in just those few minutes of watching the clip i have gained alot.
    Thanks alot and keep them coming :P
  • keke
    Well. That´s not drawing at all. Using a photo as background is more like copying like in onion skin method. I bet you can draw too just by watching a reference. No art skills needed in Photoshop?
    I can draw a skull from memory.
  • Awesome awesome awesome!
  • Carlos
    I really don't know how to get that brush, can anyone help me to get it, or configure it????

    thanx a lot from Venezuela!
  • DAIELL
    awesome u'r a goddddd dude!!!
  • yiyo
    please i need the brush the Draw a Skull with a Wacom Tablet . welp please . send me the brush thanks
  • Robert
    What the point of saying wacom tablet?
  • Kraphik
    It´s really worth saying Wacom because it´s much easier to draw
    with tablet than with mouse, right?
  • kris
    Hey! Isnt easier to draw this in illustrator? If it is for a tshirt design i mean.. To change size and color etc..? Would be interesting to hear why you choose photoshop! I def like better to work in photoshop though:)
  • Nice videooo Thanks!
  • Disgrace
    What a poor excuse.

    This is definitely tracing. Any technique where you put a photograph underneath your canvas is tracing, even if you don't draw all the lines or intentionally add some errors.

    Put the photo somewhere on the side of the canvas and train your eyes.
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