Pose & style reference · Expressions
Wink expression
Also called: winking, one eye closed, ウインク
In short
A wink is a facial expression where one eye closes briefly while the other stays open. It signals a shared joke, a secret, encouragement or playful confidence, and in anime and photography it is one of the quickest ways to make a face read as cheeky and friendly.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
What a wink communicates
A wink only works because the face is asymmetrical for a moment. The closed eye pulls the cheek up on that side, the mouth usually lifts at the same corner, and the open eye stays bright. Viewers read that imbalance as intention: the person is letting you in on something.
In character art the anime wink belongs to idols, mischievous friends, confident flirts and mascots. Paired with a peace sign or a stuck-out tongue it turns cute; with a half smile and lowered chin it becomes cool or knowing.
Types of wink
| Wink | How it looks | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Cute wink | Closed eye drawn as an upward arc, big smile, head tilted | Cheerful, idol-like |
| Cool wink | Relaxed lid, small smirk, chin slightly down | Confident, teasing |
| Squint wink | Both eyes narrow, one fully shut, cheek pushed high | Natural, mid-laugh |
| Wink with tongue | Wink plus tongue tip, often a fist to the head | Oops, playful apology |
| Sideways wink | Face turned three-quarters, wink on the near eye | Over-the-shoulder charm |
How to draw a wink
- Draw the closed eye as a curve that follows the lower lid, not a flat line; a cute wink arcs upward like a happy closed eye, a sly one curves down.
- Keep the lashes at the outer corner so the eye still has weight.
- Lift the cheek and lower the eyebrow on the winking side; the brow on the open side can rise slightly.
- Bend the mouth toward the closed eye. A perfectly symmetrical smile makes the wink look like a blink.
- In chibi or comic styles a small star or sparkle at the winking eye is a common shorthand.
How to wink in photos
Many people cannot close one eye without scrunching the whole face. Practise in a mirror by relaxing the open eye and letting the cheek on the other side do the work; if one side is easier, use that side.
Turn the face slightly so the winking eye is nearer the camera, which makes the gesture readable even in small thumbnails. Use burst mode, because a wink lasts a fraction of a second and the best frame is usually just after the lid closes, before the face tenses.
FAQ
What does a wink mean?
Usually that something is a joke, a secret or meant kindly. Context decides whether it is friendly, encouraging or flirtatious.
Why can't I wink with one eye?
Closing one eye alone needs independent control of the muscles around each eye, and many people find one side much easier. Practice helps, and a squint wink still reads well on camera.
How do you draw a closed eye for a wink?
Use a curved line along the lower lid with lashes at the outer corner, raise the cheek on that side and lower the brow.