Feedback: Drawing Expressions with a Semi-Realistic Style

[Michael Angelo Go]

I found a couple of photos on Reddit. For context, supposedly these two are from an abandoned camera found at a thrift store, and the guy in the FBLA shirt really captured my attention, so I decided to draw him.

I am trying to develop a style that utilizes slightly more realism, like a comic book superhero character, but not to the point that it enters realism. I used conventional realistic features when I redrew their faces, but then I exaggerated their expressions, made their eyes bigger, simplified their jawlines and hair shapes, and put more emphasis on tiny details that I wanted to magnify. It's still a sketch, but I would still to have a discussion with you guys!

[Sarah VanDam]

@Michael-Angelo-Go
Hey, I think this is a great start. Two things I might change slightly are to further simplify and strengthen the shape of the mouth, and adjust the shape of the neck. It’s quite a bit thicker in the photo. Also, when drawing the figure, if a squashing action happens on one side of a limb/joint/part of the torso/neck, it will generally always be mirrored by a stretch on the other side and vice versa. Emphasizing this can give your characters more energy.