Draw Unique Cartoon Faces: A Step-by-Step Guide to Originality

Creating unique cartoon faces is an exciting way to explore character and expression, infusing each face with personality and originality. Cartoon faces are more than just simple drawings; they capture emotion, quirks, and style, making each character distinct and memorable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your style, learning how to design original cartoon faces can take your artwork to the next level. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to drawing cartoon faces that stand out, filled with tips on how to experiment with features, expressions, and styles for a unique touch.

Why Originality Matters in Cartoon Faces

Originality is essential in cartooning because it makes your characters instantly recognizable. A unique cartoon face doesn’t just look different—it conveys personality, story, and emotion. By creating original faces, you bring your characters to life, making them relatable and engaging. Originality allows you to develop a signature style that audiences will recognize, helping your work stand out in a world filled with cartoon characters.

Benefits of Unique Cartoon Faces:

• Instant Recognition: Unique features make characters memorable, helping them stand out in the viewer’s mind.
• Conveys Personality: Every facial feature can tell something about the character’s personality or mood.
• Adds Depth to Storytelling: Distinct characters can represent different emotions, backgrounds, or stories, adding richness to your artwork.

Personal Insight: I find that even the smallest tweaks in facial features can completely change the personality of a cartoon character. By experimenting with shapes and expressions, I create characters that feel like they have their own stories, making the artwork more engaging.

Step 1: Start with Basic Shapes

The first step in creating a unique cartoon face is to establish the basic shape of the head. Traditional faces might use circles or ovals, but cartoon faces can go beyond these typical shapes. Try experimenting with squares, triangles, or even heart shapes to give your character a distinctive look. The shape of the head is the foundation for the character’s personality, so have fun trying different shapes to see how they influence the design.

Examples of Basic Shapes for Cartoon Faces:

• Circle: Ideal for a friendly, round-faced character with soft features.
• Oval: Perfect for creating a classic, balanced face shape.
• Square: Gives a character a more solid, strong, or rugged look.
• Triangle: Adds a pointy, mischievous vibe, ideal for quirky or cunning characters.
• Heart Shape: Great for creating a warm, cheerful character with a rounded forehead and pointed chin.

Personal Insight: I love playing with shapes to set the tone for each character. A simple change from a round to a square head shape can make the character feel tough, friendly, or mischievous.

Step 2: Design Distinctive Eyes

Eyes are one of the most expressive features in any cartoon face. They convey emotion and personality, and by experimenting with size, shape, and spacing, you can make your character’s eyes truly unique. Large, round eyes often give a cute, innocent look, while narrow, angled eyes can make a character appear sly or mysterious.

Tips for Drawing Unique Eyes:

• Vary the Shape: Experiment with almond, round, square, or droopy shapes to create different moods.
• Play with Size and Spacing: Wide-set eyes can make a character look open and friendly, while close-set eyes may add intensity.
• Add Details: Small details like eyelashes, eye bags, or eyebrows can enhance the personality.

Example: Large, circular eyes with small pupils create a sense of surprise or wonder, while small, narrow eyes with arched eyebrows convey slyness or suspicion.

Personal Insight: I find that eyes are the quickest way to bring out personality. A small tweak to the eye shape or size can transform a character’s entire vibe, making them feel curious, devious, or joyful.

Step 3: Experiment with Nose Shapes

In cartooning, noses are often simplified, but they’re still an important feature that can add originality to a character’s face. A small dot can make the nose seem cute and minimal, while a long or hooked nose can give the character a more eccentric or comedic look. Don’t be afraid to exaggerate the nose or give it an unusual shape to add uniqueness.

Ideas for Cartoon Noses:

• Dot Nose: A small dot for a cute, minimalistic look.
• Round Button Nose: A little bigger than a dot, this adds a touch of warmth.
• Hooked Nose: Great for adding character to older or quirky figures.
• Triangular Nose: Simple and sharp, often giving a pointed or playful look.
• Big Round Nose: Adds humor and is perfect for playful or clownish characters.

Example: A character with a tiny dot nose may look innocent, while a character with a large, rounded nose might look playful or goofy.

Personal Insight: I enjoy experimenting with noses because even a tiny detail can add so much character. A hook or a curve can make the nose memorable and instantly add a layer of personality to the character.

Step 4: Create Unique Mouth Expressions

The mouth is a key feature for conveying emotion. By experimenting with shape, position, and size, you can add a lot of depth to the character’s personality. A wide, open mouth can suggest happiness or excitement, while a small, tight-lipped mouth might indicate shyness or seriousness. Adjust the mouth’s curves and angles to show various emotions, from joy and surprise to suspicion and anger.

Ideas for Cartoon Mouths:

• Wide Grin: Adds energy and makes the character feel friendly or excited.
• Small, Closed Smile: Conveys calmness, politeness, or shyness.
• Open Mouth with Teeth Showing: Creates an excited or expressive look.
• Droopy or Frowning Mouth: Adds a touch of sadness or confusion.
• Curved, Asymmetrical Mouth: Gives a quirky or mischievous expression.

Example: A character with a big, open-mouthed grin looks happy and cheerful, while a character with a small, tight frown might look skeptical or annoyed.

Personal Insight: I love playing with mouth shapes because it’s such a direct way to express emotion. A simple curve or angle can make a character look joyful, surprised, or irritated, adding depth to their personality.

Step 5: Add Details to the Face

Adding details like freckles, wrinkles, scars, or facial hair can make your cartoon face truly one-of-a-kind. Small marks and features tell a story about the character, giving clues about their age, background, or personality. For example, wrinkles around the eyes can suggest an older, wiser character, while freckles can add charm and a youthful vibe.

Face Detail Ideas:

• Freckles: Add youthfulness and charm.
• Wrinkles or Laugh Lines: Great for creating an older or expressive character.
• Facial Hair: Adds ruggedness or maturity, depending on style.
• Scar: Suggests backstory or toughness, giving a sense of mystery.
• Blush Marks: Softens the face and adds cuteness or shyness.

Example: Adding a light scar or mole can make a character feel more distinctive and unique, giving them an element of realism even in a cartoon style.

Personal Insight: Details like freckles or scars are my go-to for adding character depth. These small elements make the face feel unique and bring out more personality, suggesting stories or quirks that add intrigue.

Step 6: Play with Accessories and Hair

Hair and accessories complete the look and add even more originality to your cartoon face. From wild hairstyles and colorful hats to quirky glasses and earrings, accessories can reflect the character’s personality and style. Hair can be as exaggerated or simple as you like—try spiky, curly, or even completely abstract styles to add flair.

Ideas for Hair and Accessories:

• Bold, Spiky Hair: Adds energy and confidence.
• Round Glasses: Adds intellect or quirkiness.
• Big Earrings: Creates a sense of style and adds personality.
• Messy Hair or Bedhead: Gives a relaxed, casual vibe.
• Hats or Headbands: Add an extra element that reflects the character’s interests or style.

Example: A character with wild, spiky hair and large glasses instantly stands out and gives the impression of a playful, quirky personality.

Personal Insight: Accessories and hairstyles are the final touch that makes the character feel complete. They bring out the personality in a way that makes the character feel real and relatable, helping them stand out in a memorable way.

Step 7: Finalize with a Distinct Expression

Once you’ve designed the face, it’s time to finalize the expression. Cartoon expressions are often exaggerated for a reason—they convey emotion more effectively and give the character life. Choose an expression that reflects the character’s personality or mood, whether it’s happy, surprised, mischievous, or annoyed.

Expressions to Try:

• Big, Open-Mouthed Smile: Ideal for an energetic, happy character.
• Raised Eyebrows and Wide Eyes: Conveys surprise or excitement.
• Squinted Eyes and Smirk: Suggests mischievousness or confidence.
• Small, Frowning Mouth and Downturned Eyebrows: Perfect for a skeptical or annoyed look.
• Eyebrows Raised with Open Mouth: Adds a surprised or shocked reaction.

Example: A character with wide eyes, a big grin, and raised eyebrows will look cheerful and welcoming, while a character with a squint and smirk appears confident and slightly rebellious.

Personal Insight: The final expression is what brings the character to life. It’s the moment where all the features come together, and the character’s personality shines through, making them feel relatable and full of emotion.

Conclusion

Creating unique cartoon faces is a fun and rewarding journey that allows you to express character, emotion, and originality. By experimenting with shapes, features, and expressions, you can design cartoon faces that are memorable and distinct. Each face tells a story, capturing a personality that feels alive and engaging. With practice, you’ll develop your own unique style, making your cartoon faces stand out in any crowd.

Final Thoughts:

As a cartoonist, I find that each cartoon face is a mini adventure in creativity. With just a few simple adjustments to eyes, mouths, or accessories, I can bring out a world of personality in each character.

Call to Action:

Give it a try! Grab a pencil and start experimenting with different shapes, eyes, noses, and expressions. Don’t be afraid to exaggerate or try unusual combinations—you might discover a style that’s entirely your own. Share your creations or favorite features in the comments below, and let’s celebrate the art of creating unique cartoon faces together!

How to Draw Cartoon Faces Video Tutorial