So, today, let’s talk about the Nirvana smiley face. You know, the one with the messed up eyes and the tongue sticking out. I’ve always been a huge fan of Nirvana, and that symbol, it’s just everywhere, right? So I figured, why not dive deep and try to recreate it myself?

First off, I had to do some digging. I started by looking up the history of the smiley. Apparently, it first showed up on a flyer for the “Nevermind” release party back in ’91. Some say Kurt Cobain himself drew it, others say it was someone else, who knows? The story goes that it was inspired by the logo of a strip club in Seattle, “The Lusty Lady,” which had a similar dazed-looking smiley. Kind of a funny origin, but hey, it fits Nirvana’s vibe.
Then I started messing around with the design. The most important thing is getting that crooked, almost drunk-looking smile right. I used a simple yellow circle for the base. For the eyes, I made two big X’s, but not perfectly aligned. They gotta be a bit wonky, like the smiley’s seen some things, you know? Then there’s the tongue. I drew it sticking out to the side, a little bit droopy. It’s not just a happy face; it’s a happy face that’s a little messed up, a little sarcastic.
- Start with a yellow circle: This is your basic smiley face foundation.
- Make those X’s for eyes: But make ’em crooked!
- Draw the tongue: Sticking out, droopy, not too perfect.
I tried a few different versions, experimenting with different markers and even some digital drawing tools. After some trial and error, I finally nailed it. It’s not an exact replica, but it definitely captures the spirit of the original.
It’s More Than Just a Logo
What I realized through this whole process is that the Nirvana smiley is more than just a logo. It’s become this symbol of grunge, of rebellion, of not taking things too seriously. Seeing it now, it just feels so iconic. I even tried to draw some wings on it. Cobain was obsessed with human anatomy. I don’t know if I did it right but I had fun.
Anyway, that’s my little journey into the world of the Nirvana smiley face. It was a fun project, and I feel like I understand the band and their aesthetic a little bit better now. It’s amazing how a simple drawing can have so much meaning, isn’t it?
