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

Capture the look of deep concentration with this fun, expressive character study. Designed for artists ages 6 and up, this tutorial uses simple shapes to build a complex emotion. Grab your pencil, eraser, and paper to bring this thoughtful character to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Final colored illustration of a character with a hand on their chin, looking deep in thought.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eyes

Close-up sketch of two eyes with furrowed brows indicating a thinking expression.

Start by drawing the eyes. For one eye, sketch a curved line for the furrowed brow, then add a partial circle below it. For the other, draw a full circle. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light here; we want these lines to be subtle guides for the expression.

Step 2: Adding Brow and Nose Details

Detailed sketch showing the addition of expressive eyebrows and a simple nose structure.

Enclose a teardrop shape above each eye to define the brow bone. One should sweep diagonally, while the other arches like a rainbow. Add a small curved line for the nose. Tip: The diagonal brow is key to showing that 'thinking' intensity!

Step 3: Defining the Chin and Mouth

Use a long, sweeping curved line to outline the jaw and chin. Add a small, downturned line for the mouth. Tip: A slightly downturned mouth helps convey the seriousness of someone deep in thought.

Step 4: Drawing the Ear and Neck

Sketch showing the ear placement and the beginning of the neck structure.

Draw a 'C' shaped line for the ear, adding internal curves for detail. Connect the neck lines from the ear and chin. Tip: Keep the neck lines smooth to ensure the head looks balanced on the shoulders.

Step 5: Sketching the Hairline

Adding a jagged, natural-looking hairline to the character's forehead.

Use a series of connected, jagged curved lines to create the hair above the forehead. Tip: Don't worry about making the hair perfect; jagged lines look more natural for cartoon hair.

Step 6: Shaping the Back of the Head

Sketching the back of the head with textured, spiky hair lines.

Continue the hair around the back of the head using more jagged, connected lines. Tip: Make the hair stand up slightly at the crown to add volume to the character.

Step 7: Finalizing the Hair

Completed hair outline surrounding the character's head.

Complete the hair outline by connecting the remaining lines. Tip: Ensure the points of the hair are sharp to give the character a clean, finished look.

Step 8: Adding the Hand

Sketching a hand resting thoughtfully against the character's chin.

Draw the hand resting on the chin. Use curved lines for the pointer finger and thumb. Tip: Focus on the curve of the finger against the chin to show interaction between the hand and the face.

Step 9: Refining the Hand

Refined hand sketch with knuckles and finger details.

Finish the fingers and knuckles with overlapping curved lines. Erase any overlapping chin lines. Tip: Use short, light strokes for the knuckles to make them look natural.

Step 10: Adding Color

A fully colored, finished cartoon of a person in a thinking pose.

Bring your drawing to life with color! Use skin tones for the face and hand, and pick your favorite hair color. Tip: Use a darker shade for the shadows under the chin to give your drawing more depth.