How Do Artists Draw A Convincing Smug Face Step By Step?

I get a kick out of sketching faces that leer just the right amount — smugness is one of those expressions that lives in tiny, specific tweaks rather than giant changes. I usually start with a loose head construction: an oval with a light centerline and eye line. Decide on the camera angle first; a slight tilt or 3/4 view sells smugness because it lets one eyebrow peak and the mouth corner hide behind the cheek. Thumbnails help here — draw three tiny faces with different tilts and mouth angles and pick the one that feels slyest.

Next, hone the eyes and brows. Smug eyes are often half-lidded, with the upper lids lowered and the lower lids relaxed. One eyebrow should be raised or arched more than the other; asymmetry is the secret sauce. Make the iris small-ish and the gaze direct — looking down at the viewer or sideways enhances the superiority vibe. For the mouth, I sketch a curved line that lifts on one side into a smirk. A small gap showing teeth or a tiny corner of the tongue can read as playful arrogance. Don’t forget the jawline: a slight chin tilt up adds confidence.

Finally, refine with line weight and small details. Thicker lines on the lower eyelid, a tiny wrinkle by the eye, and a soft shadow under the brow deepen the expression. Use gesture in the shoulders or a hand to the chin if you want the smugness to read from farther away. I practice by copying smug faces from 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' or light smug panels in 'Death Note' to study line choices, then remix into my own style — messy, imperfect sketches teach more than perfect copies.

When I want a fast, convincing smug face I think of three little promises: attitude, asymmetry, and detail. Attitude is the head tilt or chin lift — even a tiny upward tilt makes a face read as cocky. Asymmetry is critical: raise one eyebrow more than the other, make one eye a touch narrower, and curl only one corner of the mouth. Those small differences tell the whole story.

Then add detail that sells the emotion: a half-lidded gaze, a small wrinkle by the nose or eye, a visible tooth or tongue at the smirk’s corner, and a shadow under the brow. I’ll sketch multiple mouth shapes quickly — closed smirk, half-open grin, slight sneer — to pick the strongest. Don’t forget body language: the hand to the chin, a shoulder shrug, or crossed arms amplify smugness without changing the face. Finally, compare your drawing to reference photos or scenes from 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' or slick villain shots; copying a few panels helps you see which lines carry the expression. That little practice loop — sketch, compare, tweak — is my go-to, and it usually gets the smug vibe across cleanly.

I like breaking down expressions like a scientist who still loves messy doodles. To get a convincing smug face I treat it like a three-part system: posture, brows/eyes, and mouth. Start by setting posture quickly: even a small head tilt, chin up, or one eyebrow higher implies that the character thinks they’re winning. Once the pose feels right, lock in the eyes and brows. A lowered upper eyelid combined with a slightly raised outer brow creates that look of amused superiority. The pupils should be steady — a wandering gaze kills smugness.

For the mouth, I test variations: a tight, closed smirk, a half-open smile with a visible tooth, or an exposed canine for a more mischievous vibe. I pay attention to muscles — cheek lift on the smirking side, subtle nasolabial fold, and a slight crease at the corner of the mouth. Lighting helps: a shadow under the brow or a rim light on the raised cheek can emphasize the expression. I also draw quick turnarounds of the face (front, 3/4, profile) so the smugness reads from any angle. If I’m teaching someone, I have them do expressional drills — redraw the same smug face five times in different styles or ages; it trains the brain to know which lines are essential and which are stylistic flourishes. Sometimes I’ll study a smug character from 'One Punch Man' or a sly villain in a novel to get the mood, then make it my own.