White base.- sugar skull

Never did a sugar skull before and some threads over here made me thought about it. Now I have a question: how do you spread the white base? I mean, do you first draw the eyes, big flowers or hearts on the forehead or whatever and then you fill in the "free spaces" with white or may be you spread the white paint all over the face and then you draw ON it? (Hope that make sense)

Thanks,guys!
PILAR

I usually base with my white or pearl white (TAG) using a sponge and then go back and do the eyes, etc. Here is one that I did for my first PPF. She doesn't look happy, but that's the skull face...she actually loved it!

Personally I sponge the white base first, If you have the design in mind, and say you have a rose on the forehead, just leave some skin un-sponged in this area and go back to it. same with the eyes. I hope this makes sense

Same here. I paint the white base 1st leaving the areas where I'll paint flowers, eyes & nose blank.

Yep, what they said, me too.

Same here! But don't be too affraid if you get white where you want another color to go. White is pretty easy to paint over, just make sure you let it dry so the colors don't mix (If you need to paint over it).

Thanks guys! You were sooo hepful (as always ). I'll try my sugar skull as soon as my two little devils were in bed and I'll post the result. Thanks again!

I was also inspired by a couple threads here to try it. I'll post my attempts later when I'm at my regular computer. I sponged my base with DFX white, and I didn't think to leave any places blank, it worked ok just painting over. Found lots of inspiration just by looking thru google images. Then my daughter and I did some sketches of a few favorite elements. I really enjoyed it!

I did a sugar skull on my daughter a few months back, my first attempt and I forgot to finish around the eyes or add the nose, so not my best, but I'll post it here so you can see the coverage for the base - I used snaz white.



Eesh! Sorry it's so yellow looking... if anyone knows how to correct it, feel free

(oh, and I put the white base on first - left a gap around the eyes where I was going to put the purple)

Sooooo here it is! I had a chat to my 6 y.o. ,a few stickers changed hands and I got a model. I finally sponged the whole face with my Snaz white and left the eyes un-esponged. I'd like to add more details but , well it isn't easy with my living canvas. Anyway, this is my first attempt with sugar skull so be gentle. Of course any advice or constructive criticism are welcome

Ooooops, sorry, they're huge!

Helena, love the colours on your skull! Is it gold or yellow around the purple?
And love the Snaz white for the base

Thanks, it's tag gold.

Nice skull!

My suggestion is to start your teeth with the center line in the center of the mouth and work your way out. It helps with symmetry.