Designing expressive characters: tips and tricks - 6 views

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  #1 gevived on 30 May 25

   

  Okay, I have to admit, I struggle a lot with drawing facial expressions that don't look stiff or just plain weird. I see artists whose characters' faces tell the whole story without any words, and I want to get to that level. I remember once getting frustrated because all my characters looked like they'd seen a ghost, no matter what the scene was. Anyone have tips for making expressions feel more natural and varied?

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Okay, I have to admit, I struggle a lot with drawing facial expressions that don't look stiff or just plain weird. I see artists whose characters' faces tell the whole story without any words, and I want to get to that level. I remember once getting frustrated because all my characters looked like they'd seen a ghost, no matter what the scene was. Anyone have tips for making expressions feel more natural and varied?</div>

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  #2 glcol1223 on 30 May 25

   

  That's a classic struggle! What helped me was studying not just art but also real life-like pausing movies and looking at how actors react, or even practicing in the mirror. There's also a ton of reference out there. And honestly, seeing what works in https://18comix.org has been useful too-some artists really know how to exaggerate just enough for effect without it getting cartoony (unless that's what they want). Sometimes small tweaks like eyebrow angles or slight head tilts do wonders.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">That's a classic struggle! What helped me was studying not just art but also real life-like pausing movies and looking at how actors react, or even practicing in the mirror. There's also a ton of reference out there. And honestly, seeing what works in <a href="https://18comix.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://18comix.org</a> has been useful too-some artists really know how to exaggerate just enough for effect without it getting cartoony (unless that's what they want). Sometimes small tweaks like eyebrow angles or slight head tilts do wonders.</div>

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  #3 mark110 on 30 May 25

   

  I feel like good expressions are what separate memorable comics from average ones. It's always the little things-like a glance or smirk-that can say more than dialogue. I admire artists who nail that.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I feel like good expressions are what separate memorable comics from average ones. It's always the little things-like a glance or smirk-that can say more than dialogue. I admire artists who nail that.</div>

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