In Skull 4, Ali Gulec utilizes a monochromatic palette to explore the tension between life and its eventual remains. The illustration moves away from simple anatomy, instead building the skull's structure through a series of rich, tactile marks and abstract shapes. The high contrast between the deep blacks and the stark white background creates a sense of depth, making the familiar shape feel like a newly discovered terrain of shadow and light.

The work balances literal representation with a graphic design sensibility, where every line contributes to a larger sense of movement. By stripping away color, Gulec focuses the viewer's attention on the interplay of form and texture, turning a symbol of mortality into a detailed study of visual weight. It is an exercise in seeing the complexity within a singular, iconic image through the lens of modern illustration.