How to Draw A Shocked Expression: Free Page from ‘How to Draw: Goofy Faces‘
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to draw a shocked expression, you’re in for a treat. Today’s post features a free step-by-step drawing activity page straight from my book, How to Draw: Goofy Faces. It’s a fun and silly face that captures a moment of total surprise—eyes wide, mouth open, eyebrows raised. Whether your kid is just learning to draw or already filling notebooks with doodles, this is a great character to practice with.
Free Drawing Page: The Shocked and Scared Guy
The free page I’m sharing today shows you how to draw a shocked expression in just six simple steps. The character is a wide-eyed guy who looks like he’s just seen a ghost or heard some shocking news. His mouth is hanging open, his eyes are bulging, and his whole face screams “Oh no!”
The beauty of this page is that it’s completely hand drawn by me—no AI, no filters, just real pencil-to-paper sketching. It’s part of what makes my art books stand out. I wanted kids to feel like they were learning from a real artist, not a computer.
If you’re practicing facial expressions or just want a goofy project to keep the kids entertained, this page is a perfect place to start. Print it out, grab a pencil, and follow along. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to create a character that looks so full of emotion.
About the Book: ‘How to Draw: Goofy Faces’
The free shocked expression page comes from my book How to Draw: Goofy Faces, one of the more expressive titles in my drawing book lineup. This book is all about capturing emotion through exaggerated facial expressions. You’ll learn how to draw a shocked expression, but also angry, confused, grumpy, excited, and sleepy faces. Each face is drawn in six easy-to-follow steps.
Kids love this book because it gives them permission to be silly and creative. And parents love it because it’s educational. Drawing expressive faces builds observational skills, emotional intelligence, and storytelling abilities. Whether your child is an aspiring cartoonist or just looking for a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, this book offers hours of creative play.
And yes, all 50 faces in this book are hand drawn by me. I sketch each one from scratch and make sure the steps are kid-friendly, clear, and fun.
Why Shocked Expressions Are So Fun to Draw
When kids ask me how to draw a shocked expression, I always tell them it’s all in the eyes and mouth. These two features carry most of the emotion. For this character, the eyes are huge and round, the eyebrows are raised high, and the mouth forms a big, open bean shape.
It’s an exaggerated look, but that’s the point. Cartoon drawing is all about taking things over the top so the emotion comes through loud and clear. And once kids get the hang of this expression, they start to notice shocked faces in their favorite cartoons and comics. That connection helps them become better visual storytellers.
Part of a Bigger Series of Art Books for Kids
How to Draw: Goofy Faces is just one book in my larger Art Books for Kids series. If your child enjoys this style of step-by-step drawing, there’s a whole collection to explore. I have books on drawing animals, monsters, unicorns, mermaids, robots, dinosaurs, food characters, and so much more.
And for every theme, there’s often a matching Trace Then Color or Draw by Grid version too. That way, kids at different skill levels can enjoy the same fun characters with slightly different approaches.
So if your child is excited about learning how to draw a shocked expression, there’s a good chance they’ll love diving into the whole series.
Grab the Free Page and Get Drawing
Don’t forget to download and print the free drawing activity page. It’s a great introduction to how to draw a shocked expression and gives you a peek inside the How to Draw: Goofy Faces book.
This shocked guy has become a fan favorite among kids (and parents) for a reason. He’s funny, simple to draw, and full of personality. Plus, once kids master this expression, they often go on to create their own characters with surprised, scared, or amazed looks.
So go ahead—print the page, sharpen those pencils, and see how much fun it can be to draw your own shocked expression!
Free Activity Page (save and print):
Final Thoughts
Learning how to draw a shocked expression is a great way for kids to stretch their creativity and try something new. It’s also a gateway into the broader world of character design and cartooning. With just a few simple lines, they can make a face come alive with emotion.
If you enjoy this free page, consider checking out the full How to Draw: Goofy Faces book. And while you’re at it, browse the rest of my Art Books for Kids series for even more fun, kid-tested titles.
And remember: all of my books feature original, hand-drawn art. No shortcuts, no AI—just authentic drawing made with kids in mind.
Thanks for stopping by, and happy drawing!
Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 80 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”
