How to draw basic expressions

To start, let's learn how to draw a simple face. Draw an oval and then divide it up with centre lines and add some ears. Add two eyes and a nose, keeping the style really simple.

If we add some angled eyebrows, the face immediately looks angry. Or, if we add a smile the face looks happy.

Now, if we make small tweaks to the eyebrows and the mouth, we can create a whole range of different expressions. Why not have a go at some of the examples here, or maybe come up with some of your own.

For a happy expression, draw curved brows and a mouth curved up. To look cross, draw angled brows and a mouth curved down. For confused, add brows that are angled up, and a wiggly mouth.

For angry, draw angled brows and a snarling mouth. For smiling, add curved brows and an open mouth. To convey surprise, draw brows angled up and a small circle mouth.

For a sad expression, draw brows angled up and a mouth curved down. To show pain, draw the eyes closed and a mouth that's open and up one side. For a sly expression, add one brow arched and the mouth flicked up on one side.

To finish, let's add some exaggerated expressions. We can add even more variation by stretching the chin of our face down to allow for a more open mouth, like the examples below.

For shouting, add angled brows, an open mouth and a stretched chin. For a scared look, draw brows angled up, an open mouth and a stretched chin. And for laughing, draw the eyes closed, an open mouth and a tilted head.