Happiness Happiness, by Jon deMartin, 2017, red and white chalk on toned paper, 14 x 11. We can compare this neutral face to the subsequent expressive faces to determine what actions and movements have taken place. I first drew Christophe in a neutral state, with no facial muscle contractions or discernible expression (see above). To illustrate the most common facial expressions, I created several drawings of Christophe, a model who has a unique ability to transform his face. Many cartoonists keep a mirror handy so they can assume any expression they want when illustrating their characters. You can become familiar with facial expressions by using a mirror to look for the action of the muscles on your own face. False expressions do not they can be used as a mask or cover. True expressions are involuntary and convey the emotions a person is feeling. Some expressions are emphatic, others subtle. The facial muscles can produce an almost infinite number of expressions as they contract or relax. **Information in this post was adapted from an article by Jon deMartin, featured in Drawing magazine. Enjoy!ĭrawing Facial Expressions: Six Essential Emotions Neutral Expression, by Jon deMartin, 2017, red and white chalk on toned paper, 14 x 11. (No one said drawing would be easy!) To help, we’re here with advice about how to draw facial expressions that will “wow” your viewer.īelow, veteran instructor Jon deMartin shares how the face changes when it takes on six of the most universally recognized emotions: happiness, sadness, fear, surprise, anger and disgust. This is because faces showing different emotions hardly look the same.Ī happy face looks very different than a sad face, or a surprised face. And on top of this, of course, no two people’s faces are the same to begin with. One of the many challenging aspects of drawing is that if you want to learn how to draw a face, it’s not really just one subject you need to learn, it’s many.

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