How to Draw a Face (Easy Step by Step)
You will learn to draw a friendly face using simple shapes like ovals and curves. Once you master the basic structure, you can easily customize features such as eyes, hair, and smiles to create unique characters.
- Use basic ovals and curves to construct a simple face.
- Customize eyes, hair, and smiles to create diverse facial expressions.
- Build your drawing skills by starting with an easy, friendly face.
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A face is a great first drawing because it is made from just a few easy shapes: ovals and curves. Once you can draw this friendly face, you can change the eyes, hair or smile to make anybody you like.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a face step by step
How to Draw a Face · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Head and hair shape
Draw a big rounded shape for the head. Start with a wide dome on top for the hair, then curve down both sides and meet at a smooth, round chin.
Step 3: The hairline
Draw one curved line across the forehead, like a gentle hill. Start at the left side of the head and end at the right side, so it closes in the hair.
Step 4: The ears
On each side of the head, draw a small letter C shape. The ear on the left opens toward the face, and the one on the right is its mirror.
Step 5: The neck
Under the chin, draw two short straight lines going down, one on each side. Join them at the bottom with a gentle U curve.
Step 6: The shoulders
Starting at each side of the neck, draw a long curved line sweeping out and down, like a gentle hill. Make both sides match.
Step 7: The eyes
Draw two pointy ovals, like little leaf shapes, side by side about halfway down the face. Leave them empty for now.
Step 8: Brows, pupils and nose
Draw a short curved line above each eye for the eyebrows. Add a tiny short line in the middle of each eye, then draw a small J shape between the eyes for the nose.
Step 9: The smile
Near the bottom of the face, draw a curve like a bowl for a happy smile. Keep it above the chin.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your face? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rocket or how to draw a shooting star next.
Tips for drawing a face
- Draw the big head shape first and lightly, so you have room to place the ears, eyes and smile inside it.
- Put the eyes about halfway down the head. Beginners often place them too high, so check before you draw them.
- Draw the two ears and the two shoulder curves so they match on both sides. Look at one side while you draw the other.
Free face coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this face coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your face drawing
Use a warm peach, tan or brown for the skin and pick any hair color you like, from black to bright blue. Try a bright color for the shirt so the shoulders stand out.
Face fun fact for kids
Your face has 14 bones, and together they make up the frame of your face. The biggest one is your lower jaw.
Questions about drawing a face
What shapes do I need to draw a face?
You need a big rounded shape for the head and hair, two leaf-shaped ovals for the eyes and a curved line for the smile. Small C shapes work well for the ears.
How do I make my face drawing look happier?
Draw the mouth as a wide, upward curve and lift the eyebrows a little. Keep both eyebrows at the same height so the face looks friendly.
How do I draw a face that looks like someone I know?
Look closely at what makes that person different, such as the hair, the eyes or the shape of their smile. Then change those parts in your drawing.
