Character Expression Bank
A face is only one part of an expression. Draw the whole body: shoulders, hands, stance, and eye line. A reader should recognise the feeling before reading the dialogue.
Success criteria
- I can draw the same character with six different expressions.
- I can use posture and gesture, not just the face, to show feeling.
- I can keep the character recognisable across all six drawings.
- I can choose the right expression for a specific story moment.
Body-language prompts
| Feeling | Face | Body | Use it when... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Relaxed brow, level mouth | Balanced weight, open shoulders | The reader needs a baseline before something changes. |
| Worried | Inner brows raised, mouth tight | Shoulders raised, hands close to the body | The character senses a threat before they understand it. |
| Angry | Brows down, jaw set | Forward lean, fists or rigid arms | A boundary has been crossed. |
| Relieved | Eyes closed or softened, small exhale | Shoulders drop, weight settles | Tension releases, often after a near miss. |
| Curious | Head tilted, eyes narrowed or wide | Lean forward, one hand reaching | The character chooses to investigate. |
| Ashamed | Eyes down, mouth small | Body turned away, hands hidden | The character wants to disappear. |
Expression bank
Draw the same character six times. Keep the costume and silhouette consistent. Label the feeling and one body-language choice under each drawing.
1. Neutral
Baseline. Show the character at rest.
2. Worried
What changes first: eyes, shoulders, or hands?
3. Angry
Show the feeling without making the face unrecognisable.
4. Relieved
Show the release of tension in the body.
5. Curious
Show the character choosing to move closer.
6. Ashamed
Show the character trying to take up less space.
Match expression to moment
| Story moment | Best expression | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The character hears a noise behind a locked door. | ||
| The character is accused of something they did. | ||
| The character finds the thing they were looking for. | ||
| The character realises they hurt a friend. |
Checklist
- All six drawings show the same character.
- Each feeling is clear without a label.
- I used posture and hands, not just eyebrows.
- At least one expression is understated rather than exaggerated.
- I chose expressions that fit my story, not just six random faces.
Keep your expression bank beside you when you draw the final page. Consistency helps the reader recognise the character instantly.