A sugar skull painting party is a fun way to celebrate Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with friends. I joined about 20 friends at one, and our host served lots of food, drink and merriment. All you need is styrofoam skulls, acrylic paint, brushes, Sharpie markers, friends and perhaps adult beverages.
Sugar skulls, or calaveras, decorate home altars called ofrendas during Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. Families set them out to honor loved ones who have died. Painting your own is a colorful way to join in.
What You Need
Styrofoam skulls, one per guest
Acrylic paint in bright colors, plus black, white and metallic gold
Paintbrushes in a few sizes
Sharpie markers
Silk flowers
Straight pins
Paper plates for palettes
A plastic tablecloth or brown paper
Food, drinks and friends
How to Host
Cover the table before anyone sits down. Acrylic paint stains wood and fabric, and it won't wash out once it dries.
Shake each bottle of paint before guests arrive. Acrylic separates as it sits, and a well-mixed bottle paints smoother.
Set one skull, a paper plate palette, a few brushes and a Sharpie at each seat. Put the paint bottles in the middle of the table so everyone shares colors.
Keep the food and drinks coming. Guests paint, snack, admire each other's skulls and paint some more.
Decorate with marigolds, the traditional Day of the Dead flower. Their orange looks great next to painted skulls.
Add pan de muerto to the food table. This sweet bread is made for the holiday.
How to Paint a Sugar Skull
Start with a styrofoam skull from a hobby store.
Step 1: Start With a Styrofoam Skull
Paint the skull one color with acrylic paint. Use a brush, not spray paint. Spray paint melts styrofoam. Styrofoam soaks up the first coat, so let it dry and add a second for solid color. Paint the teeth white.
Step 2: Paint the Base Coat
Draw your design with a Sharpie marker, then paint in the shapes. Flowers and hearts add nice touches.
Step 3: Draw and Paint Your Design
When the paint is dry, add a fun touch to the eyes, like silk flowers. Push a straight pin through each flower and into the skull.
Sugar Skull Design Ideas
About 20 of us painted skulls that night, and no two looked alike. Here are some of my favorite designs to try.
Black skull with bright accents. Paint the base black, and every color you add on top stands out.
Silver skull with turquoise eyes. Metallic paint gives a shine that looks great in candlelight.
Pink skull with daisy eyes. Pin a silk daisy into each eye socket for an instant finished look.
Purple skull in a top hat. A small prop hat gives your skull a personality.
White skull with black roses and a gold tooth. Leave the base white, draw every line in black Sharpie and paint one tooth metallic gold.
At the end of the night, gather the partygoers' painted sugar skulls for a group shot.
Then, plan your next Día de los Muertos sugar skull painting party!
Sugar Skull Painting Questions
Does acrylic paint work on styrofoam skulls?
Yes. Acrylic is the best choice for styrofoam. Plan on two coats for solid color.
Does spray paint work on styrofoam?
No. Most spray paint melts styrofoam. Use acrylic and a brush.
Where do you buy styrofoam skulls?
Hobby stores stock them in the fall, and you'll find them online all year.
How do you attach flowers to a styrofoam skull?
Push a straight pin through the center of a silk flower and into the skull.
If a skull wearing a top hat made you smile, you'll love my Party Animals. Every animal in my book wears a party hat, and each painting comes with a short story. For more bright color, see my Florals collection.
xo,
Merrill