How to Draw Cartoon Faces

A Cartoon with Facial Expressions

To make a cartoon face look great you have to master two things: the basic face and facial expression. The basic face is what you can build on to make more complex faces. Facial expression is what makes your cartoon character memorable. Here is how to use both to draw fantastic cartoon faces.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper

Basic Cartoon Face

1. Draw the basic cartoon face. The basic cartoon face is used to teach the basics of facial expressions. You can dress the face up any way you want and you can use it as a base for more complex characters. To draw a basic cartoon face, draw a circle for the head.

2. Draw two circles for the eyes.

3. Draw a 'U' shape for the nose.

4. Finish with a line for the mouth.

Expression

1. Drawing facial expressions has to do with the positions of the eyebrows and the mouth, for the most part. Using the simple cartoon head you created in section one, you can practice drawing different emotions.

2. Anger

   Anger can be achieved by slanting the eyebrows on the inside, down toward the eyes. Make the mouth curve downwards.

3. Sad

   Slant the inside tips of the eyebrows, and then tip the outside of the eyebrows down towards the eyes.

4. Surprise

   Draw a surprised face by drawing the eyebrows high on the forehead and the mouth in an 'O' shape.

5. Calm

   Draw a calm face without eyebrows and a straight line for a mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Many cartoons use exaggerated forms of emotion. The eyebrows are higher, the mouth is more contorted, and the eyes are larger.

• When adding details to your basic cartoon face, don't forget to draw the emotion.