Eyebrows talk too! Raised eyebrows, up high, look surprised. Eyebrows that slope down toward the nose look cross (angry). Eyebrows that tilt up in the middle look worried.
Key idea
The eyebrows show a feeling as much as the mouth does.
Why it works
Look at the three faces: only the eyebrows changed, yet each face feels different. A few short lines above the eyes can change a whole drawing.
Common mistake
Many children change only the mouth. Try changing the eyebrows too: a cross face with a smile looks mixed up.
Worked example: Let's look
Mia wants to draw a surprised face. How should the eyebrows look?
- When we are surprised, our eyebrows jump up.
- Draw them high above the eyes, curved up.
Answer: Raised up high.
For the grown-up. In front of a mirror, keep your mouths still and move only your eyebrows: up, down, tilted. Ask your child which feeling each one shows.