6 Artist Resources for Animal Skulls and Bones
UPDATED DEC. 17 - 2024
Looking for animal skulls to draw and paint?
Over the years I've used a variety of resources to build my collection of about 130+ skulls and an endless amounts of bones.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
The majority of my skulls have been found in nature, either by me or friends, and some purchased (either found or sourced ethically).
A few were given to me from a taxidermist who had been given an old collection, which personally breaks my heart because of how they were acquired, but I feel they have a better home now with me where they will be loved and cared for.
🚨 I’d like to make it abundantly clear 🚨
I do not condone the senseless harming of any animal, especially for their bones. I have a deep connection to nature and a love for all creatures. Bones contain stories, which is why I love studying and painting them. I am a storyteller. I revere all the bones and skulls in my collection as one would a priceless work of art, I am humbled to be surrounded by them, I am their steward.
🚨🚨🚨
Animal Skull Anatomy: Study, then Create
Skulls and bones are a challenging subject to draw and paint, but a worthy one, because you learn so much with each art work. I’m often asked for skull drawing and painting tips, while this seems obvious, it’s usually skipped over: study the skull up close first.
Turn it around and really examine the anatomical features. See how each feature relates to the next so you have a better understanding of the structure before you begin your skull artwork.
Try sketching the skull from different angles for 15-20 minutes each pose, to understand it from all angles, before you begin a more involved artwork.
If you have a skull and aren’t sure what it is, try searching the features online, or if you are in the U.S., I highly recommend the book, Animal Skulls: A Guide to North American Species by Mark Elbroch*. This book has been my bible for both studying animal skull anatomy but also identifying a lot of the found skulls in my collection.
{*Please note this link will take you to Amazon.com. As an affiliate, I earn a small commission on qualified purchases. Like super small, takes me a year to have enough to buy a paintbrush, however, I appreciate your support. }
6 Resources for Animal Skulls and Bones
These are the best ethical sources I’ve used over the years as well as a few I follow on across social media platforms. Please be respectful of any sources you utilize and always follow the rules and laws of where you are.
1) Found in Nature
Naturally cleaned and aged, albeit, sometimes smelly.
Walk the woods, roadsides (yes, I’ve pulled over and jumped out of my car to grab some pretty disgusting stuff over the years). You’ll need to clean these, google how!
PLEASE NOTE, ALWAYS BE RESPONSIBLE:
Federal and state lands usually have rules/laws forbidding removal of any items found on their lands, please investigate this before looking!!
ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY!!
2) Farms
If you know a farmer who raises livestock, most likely they have a bone pile somewhere on their property.
ASK PERMISSION!
They’re usually mystified but perfectly fine with you exploring their pile.
p.s. Please do NOT approach farms/farmers you do not know, this is weird, don’t do it, you will scare them.
3) Ebay or Etsy
Don’t have access to nature? Ebay or Etsy are affordable and easy ways to acquire a few skulls.
Smaller, more abundant skulls can be purchased inexpensively (coyote, rabbit, raccoon, etc.), but there are a variety of larger one’s available as well.
I’ve acquired a variety of qualities from found skulls with damage (and smelly) through dermestid beetle cleaned. Personally, I seek out found skulls. Don’t hesitate to message the seller about the source of the skull.
PLEASE NOTE: There are laws forbidding the import of certain skulls from out of the country, so please do your research before considering international items.
4) Skulls Unlimited
Top notch skulls and more.
Beautifully cleaned and available in several qualities. I prefer B and C quality as they usually are missing some teeth or have some slight damage or deformity that as an artist only adds to the artwork I create.
I have quite a few skulls from Skulls Unlimited and each comes with an information card which is a nice bonus.
They also sell REPLICAS, for those seeking a more ethical way to draw and paint skulls.
A large (stunning) full color catalog is available. Visit their website here.
5) Crimson Rich Desire
An ethical replica skull resource for my UK friends.
Sarah crafts the most beautiful and stunningly detailed hand crafted resin replicas that she casts from real skulls.
She’s located in the Scottish Highlands. I mean c’mon, how cool is that.
6) Prehistoria.ca & SkullStore.ca
One of my favorite IG feeds.
While I’ve not acquired any skulls from him, his skulls are ethically and sustainably sourced and has an ever changing surprising variety of specimens. Plus, his quirky sense of humor is worth the follow.
