Anatomy Skull Review
Let's talk about anatomically correct skull models.
There are a lot of skull options out there, and I’m not talking about the Halloween kind! I’ve purchased a small sampling of adult life sized, anatomically correct models to compare and contrast. These are fantastic resources for creating art. Drawing from an anatomically correct still life object, such as one of these skulls, is a great observational exercise.
I run through the features of 3 skulls and share my thoughts on each, plus where you can find them. Make sure to read all the way through to find out how they rank and some of my other favorite skull related items right now.
Below is my very first YouTube video that details each option. Please “like & subscribe” to my new Studio Art Club YouTube channel and continue on to the rest of the blog post. ❤️
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Skull #1
I’ve had this skull for a couple of years and have lightly used it in my public school art room. The students have gently used it for drawing projects and as a resource.
Some features about this skull include:
Three removable teeth and 3 spares for if those get lost.
Removable top with swivel hinges for fastening.
Springs on the sides that allow the jaw to be manipulated. These could be removed to separate the jaw from the rest by using a small screwdriver. I have not taken it off of this model because of this factor.
This was the only model I purchased that came with an educational pamphlet indicating the skull parts.
Overall, this model is life-size, priced in the $30s and is highly detailed—I’d recommend it! I purchased it from a family run company that is a trusted source for many art teachers, which feels right to me. The swivel hinges that fasten the top on have fallen off with light student use and were not needed in the first place since the top stays on firmly. Since it has been a few years since I purchased this, the pictures on the website differ slightly and the color of the newer models seem to be more uniform—without the yellow and white contrast of the teeth to the rest.
Skull #2
This skull shipped very quickly. One thing I noticed immediately upon removing the packaging from this particular model was that there was a lot of plastic crumbles from the manufacturing process that fell onto my table. I also had to remove some plastic debris from the crevices of the teeth and there are some spots that look like burnt plastic smudges in parts. This is a solid option, but I wouldn’t purchase it again.
Here are some features about this skull that are noteworthy:
The color is uniform throughout.
There are swivel hinges for fastening the removable top, akin to those in Skull #1.
No teeth come out. This can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it.
There are springs on the inside sides of the jaw that allow it to open and close. These can be removed with a small screwdriver if you would like. Like with Skull #1, I have not done that with this model.
Skull #3
This skull also shipped very quickly and was the most cost effective option I purchased for this sampling. It is also my favorite of the bunch!
Here are some features about this skull that are noteworthy:
The color is uniform throughout.
There are no swivel hinges for fastening the removable top and it doesn’t need ‘em! The top has just enough snugness to stay on and can be removed with just the right amount of pressure.
No teeth come out. Again, this can be a pro or a con, depending on how you look at it.
There is only ONE spring on the inside of the jaw that allows it to open and close. This can be easily removed without any special tools. I like to have them separate for drawing.
There were no unpleasant marks or debris with this skull, as there was with Skull #2, and the color is the best, in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
In summary, each of these skulls can be solid choices for anatomically correct educational and creative resources.
Here’s how they rank for me:
1st Place: Skull #3
2nd Place: Skull #1
3rd Place: Skull #2
Other options out there:
Be careful of options that are not full sized (if a mini skull is not what you’re looking for).
I also do not recommend Halloween decorations for anatomy drawing. 👎
This one was about double the price of the skulls I sampled and this one was $$$PRICEY$$$ (over one hundred dollars, yo) but ultimately, I chose not to purchase either because I am pleased with those that I’ve already purchased.
In addition to anatomically correct skull replications, I also really enjoy skull artwork (both me making it and seeing what others do)!
My husband and I collaborated on this Contour Skull Tee for our business, Ocean & Sea (and yes, I wear a lot of different hats). I drew the skulls as still life objects, without looking at the paper, and he computerized it, got it ready for print and had it silk-screen printed by a local print shop.
I’m really digging these skull earrings by KC Metalsmiths/Artists, Andrea & Bryan Ring of Amuck Designs.
I hope you found this helpful!
XOXO, Amanda
