How to Paint a Skull on My Face for Halloween

Choose a simple skull image as a reference.

Face painting is a great alternative to wearing a mask. You can't lose it or drop it, and it always fits. You can turn your face into an interesting image of a skull for Halloween with just a few supplies and a few minutes of your time. If you are inexperienced, the skull is a very good way to get started with learning how to use face-painting materials to complete your Halloween costume.

Things You'll Need

• Skull picture
• Face paints
• Large cloth towel
• Paper towels
• Mirror
• Cotton swabs
• Cosmetics sponges
• Disposable gloves
• Water
• Thin paintbrush

Instructions

Preparation

1. Collect all face-painting supplies and an imagine of a skull for reference. Place everything on paper towels in front of a mirror. Open the face paints and have water, the swabs and sponges handy.

2. Wash, rinse and thoroughly dry your face. Secure hair away from your face. Wrap a large towel around your neck and tuck into the shirt to protect clothing from stains. Put on disposable gloves to keep paint off your hands.

3. Prepare the paints. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Water-based paints may require that you add a little water before use to make them flow easily as you paint. Cotton swabs and applicator sponges need to be dampened with water. Oil-based paints or crayons may not require water.

Application

1. Use a cosmetics sponge to apply a coat of white face paint all over your face, staying away from your hairline, eye sockets, lips and the edges of your face. Make sure you cover your eyebrows well. The face-painting company Snazaroo suggests you let this base coat dry for about five minutes, then apply a second coat.

2. Refer to the skull picture and create the outlines of the skull on your face. Use a damp cotton swab dipped in black paint to draw an outline of the rounded skull shape from your cheekbones to your forehead. Create the skull's jawline by drawing a "U" shape from your cheek bones down around your chin. Use a damp paper towel to wipe off white face paint that is outside of this outline. If you do not remove it, it may turn to gray when you apply the black paint over it.

3. Add outline details. Draw a triangle on each side of your nose. Draw a big, boxy outline around your mouth. You can add a line of teeth on your upper and your lower lips. Draw a circle around each eye, following the lines of your eye sockets.

4. Fill in the areas that will be black. Use a damp cosmetics sponge to apply black face paint from the edges of the skull outlines back to the hairline and around the lower jaw area under the chin. Fill in the triangles on your nose. Paint your eyes by closing your eyes and painting your eyelids black. Use a cotton swab to blacken the area on your lips between the teeth you drew.

5. Add details such as cracks in the skull with a thin paintbrush dipped in black paint. A little green paint applied lightly around the eye sockets will produce an eerie glow.

Tips & Warnings

• When removing face paint, use baby wipes or a wet paper towel and a little face soap to take the bulk of it off.

• Permanent stains on clothing may occur if not treated; follow the manufacturer's directions on the face paints for clothing stain prevention and removal.

References

• Snazaroo: Beginner's Guide: Basic Techniques