How to Draw a Surprised Face: Easy 10-Step Guide

Capture big emotions on paper! This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 6+ looking to add character to their drawings. You only need a pencil, eraser, and paper to follow along and learn how to illustrate a classic 'shocked' expression.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Shocked Eyes

Two large, wide-open cartoon eyes drawn with light pencil strokes on white paper.

Draw two large, rounded shapes for the eyes. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the size if they look a bit uneven. Fill in a dark circle inside each to create that wide-eyed, surprised look.

Step 2: Adding Brows and Nose

Cartoon face sketch showing arched eyebrows and a simple nose structure.

Sketch arched eyebrows high above the eyes to show intensity. Add a simple nose bridge using two gentle curves. Teacher's Tip: Use short, flicking motions for the lines under the eyes to suggest the skin bunching up in surprise.

Step 3: Shaping the Open Mouth

Drawing of an open mouth with teeth visible, indicating a surprised expression.

Draw a large, rounded shape for the mouth to show a gasp. Add a horizontal line inside for the teeth. Teacher's Tip: Make the mouth nice and big—the wider the mouth, the more surprised the character looks!

Step 4: Defining the Jawline

Sketch of a face outline with a tongue added inside the open mouth.

Add an 'M' shape inside the mouth for the tongue. Then, draw the sides of the face and a rounded chin. Teacher's Tip: Use long, smooth strokes for the jaw to keep the face looking clean and symmetrical.

Step 5: Drawing Ears and Neck

Adding ears and neck lines to the cartoon face sketch.

Add 'C' shaped ears on the sides of the head and two vertical lines for the neck. Teacher's Tip: Align the top of the ears with the eyes and the bottom with the nose for realistic proportions.

Step 6: Detailing Ears and Hairline

Adding inner ear details and the beginning of a hairline.

Add small 'L' shapes inside the ears for depth. Begin sketching the hairline with overlapping curves. Teacher's Tip: Don't worry about making the hair perfect; messy, overlapping lines actually look more natural.

Step 7: Adding Forehead Wrinkles

Adding subtle forehead wrinkles to emphasize the surprised expression.

Draw horizontal, curved lines on the forehead to show surprise. Sketch the sideburns. Teacher's Tip: Keep these lines faint—they are just subtle hints of expression, not deep creases.

Step 8: Styling the Hair

Developing the hair style with curved lines on the cartoon head.

Continue drawing the sides of the head and add more curved lines for the hair. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of your strokes to make the hair look textured and fluffy.

Step 9: Finalizing the Outline

Completed line art of a surprised face with hair fully drawn.

Close the top of the head with your hair lines. Add a few short strokes for extra detail. Teacher's Tip: Now is the time to go over your favorite lines with a darker pencil or pen to make them pop!

Step 10: Bringing it to Life with Color

Fully colored cartoon surprised face drawing.

Time to color! Use your favorite markers or crayons. Teacher's Tip: Try using bright, bold colors for the hair or skin to give your character a unique personality. Who does this person look like?