Sad Stick Men A-Z
It is a sad fact of life that sometimes things are not so good as they might be.
That may be why I seem to have quite a collection of sad stick figure drawings. But no one wants to see them. They don't sell.
People want upbeat messages to increase their feelings of well-being and advertisers want it to sell more product. No one wants to be connected with downbeat stuff.
Having built up a collection of slightly sad images it seemed they deserved a page all of their own.
The point is not to make someone sad but to say stuff happens. It's OK.
On this page are a few stick figures who are not leaping up and down having the best time of their lives. They are in a temporary rut. Knowing stickmen, they will be out of it soon enough.
That may be why I seem to have quite a collection of sad stick figure drawings. But no one wants to see them. They don't sell.
People want upbeat messages to increase their feelings of well-being and advertisers want it to sell more product. No one wants to be connected with downbeat stuff.
Having built up a collection of slightly sad images it seemed they deserved a page all of their own.
The point is not to make someone sad but to say stuff happens. It's OK.
On this page are a few stick figures who are not leaping up and down having the best time of their lives. They are in a temporary rut. Knowing stickmen, they will be out of it soon enough.
Sad Stickman
Analyst
Sometimes stick people visit their analyst and not just to ask why they are so thin. They visit for psychotherapy counselling.
They hope the analyst will tell them the answer to their problems. This therapy involves relaxing in the presence of a psychiatrist, therapist or trick cyclist and opening up.
The analyst acts as a sounding board for them to resolve their own problems by talking them through.
The first problem being - how the heck are they going to pay the guy's bill?
They hope the analyst will tell them the answer to their problems. This therapy involves relaxing in the presence of a psychiatrist, therapist or trick cyclist and opening up.
The analyst acts as a sounding board for them to resolve their own problems by talking them through.
The first problem being - how the heck are they going to pay the guy's bill?
Talking to Analyst
Antisocial
After endless lockdowns, social anxiety and antisocial feelings have been enhanced. For some people the lockdowns came as a blessing. A chance to avoid contact at work or in social settings. As countries begin to open up again those antisocial feelings can lead to increased pressures on people who prefer avoidance.
The design below celebrates being antisocial. Some people will find that odd, others will instantly side with the black sheep going their own way.
The design below celebrates being antisocial. Some people will find that odd, others will instantly side with the black sheep going their own way.
Antisocial Sheep
Autism
Autism is not here because it belongs on the 'sad' page, but because for the moment there is nowhere else to put the design.
It makes sense in an ironic way that there is no easy pigeon hole for an autism awareness graphic. No simple way to categorise and file in the appropriate box. It can stay here as long as it likes.
It makes sense in an ironic way that there is no easy pigeon hole for an autism awareness graphic. No simple way to categorise and file in the appropriate box. It can stay here as long as it likes.
Bee Kind Puzzle
Bad Day
Sometimes everything can be OK one minute and then come crashing down the next.
Other times a day can gradually grind you into the dust.
The cartoon attempts to show that feeling as you get smaller and smaller.
Other times a day can gradually grind you into the dust.
The cartoon attempts to show that feeling as you get smaller and smaller.
Having a Bad Day
Depression
Sometimes a depressed feeling can come from nowhere. Life bobs along in its usual boring way with occasional highs, lows and general indifference and then all of a sudden - crash!
Everything seems bleak and too much to deal with. Deep down you know that nothing has changed - it is a simple mental kick in the teeth that will set you back for a while.
"Find a happy place". "Pull yourself together". People may offer words of encouragement and you can put the smile on and pretend.
But sometimes you need to let it wash over you for a while and eventually you will snap out of it.
Depressed thoughts can make you feel lonely but it is an experience shared by many people. Lots of them have their own tough times and difficulties.
Everything seems bleak and too much to deal with. Deep down you know that nothing has changed - it is a simple mental kick in the teeth that will set you back for a while.
"Find a happy place". "Pull yourself together". People may offer words of encouragement and you can put the smile on and pretend.
But sometimes you need to let it wash over you for a while and eventually you will snap out of it.
Depressed thoughts can make you feel lonely but it is an experience shared by many people. Lots of them have their own tough times and difficulties.
Head In Hands
Emotional Roller-Coaster
Emotional roller coaster is a clichéd but accurate expression that describes the ups and downs, highs and lows, successes and challenges in life.
If I knew what Yin and Yang meant it might be that as well. But I don't know and I don't care. Exact expressions and endless study of self-help books is not really my thing. I prefer to draw it or write it out sometimes.
My emotional roller-coaster conveys the whole of life's emotional ride with a simple set of stick figures in cars. Well... almost.
If I knew what Yin and Yang meant it might be that as well. But I don't know and I don't care. Exact expressions and endless study of self-help books is not really my thing. I prefer to draw it or write it out sometimes.
My emotional roller-coaster conveys the whole of life's emotional ride with a simple set of stick figures in cars. Well... almost.
Emotional Roller Coaster
Empathy
Empathy is when people care about you. They listen to your problems and try to relate to them.
It helps the world go round.
It helps the world go round.
Empathy
Faceplant
My image shows a faceplant. It is a physical manifestation of WTF.
That could be a reaction to reading something that is exasperating. Politicians being politicians, your country behaving badly, an internet troll or simply that tee shirt you wanted is now out of stock.
The more news I read the more down I feel.
If I stop paying attention I feel better.
One answer to the endless stream of media negativity is to turn it off.
That could be a reaction to reading something that is exasperating. Politicians being politicians, your country behaving badly, an internet troll or simply that tee shirt you wanted is now out of stock.
The more news I read the more down I feel.
If I stop paying attention I feel better.
One answer to the endless stream of media negativity is to turn it off.
Faceplant on Laptop
Feeling the Feels
We feel feelings. Happy, sad, and all the others. Emotions. Sometimes buttoned up, kept in place. Other times we allow them to have full run of our minds.
It's a natural thing.
Creating this design made me feel happy. If anyone ever buys one I will be ecstatic.
It's a natural thing.
Creating this design made me feel happy. If anyone ever buys one I will be ecstatic.
Feel the Feels Gifts >>
Gaslighting
In Victorian times the streetlights were powered by gas. Each evening a lamplighter would visit each street light and light the flame. Presumably they extinguished them each morning.
Hence the term gaslighting.
Gaslighting Stickman Gifts >>
Glass Half Full
A way of describing people who view things depending on how they feel. Sort of science meets feelings, with the additional thrill of possibly being alcohol related.
Glass Half Full
Hangman
What a fun game hangman is. You think up the word and guess at the letters. Each incorrect guess and another part of the picture is drawn until either you win or it is all over.
Real life can seem like that. We randomly pass through this short existence making odd decisions that affect everything.
However bad things are hanging yourself is not a solution. Talk things through and find an alternative.
Real life can seem like that. We randomly pass through this short existence making odd decisions that affect everything.
However bad things are hanging yourself is not a solution. Talk things through and find an alternative.
Hanging Stickman
Happy Sad
Happy sad is a state of emotions where there is joy and a mix of other stuff. Perhaps fears for the future or memories from the past. Maybe a sense of time moving on.
A new baby is wonderful but there is a strong sense of mortality for the father and his new-born child.
We can cry and be happy at the same time. It is a marvellous feeling which celebrates being human.
A new baby is wonderful but there is a strong sense of mortality for the father and his new-born child.
We can cry and be happy at the same time. It is a marvellous feeling which celebrates being human.
Happy Sad Stickman
Helping Hand
What friends are for and sometimes people you didn't even know were friends. When someone reaches out to give you a lift up or to catch you from falling.
People like to help.
The image shows a person reaching out and offering their hand to rescue someone from drowning.
People like to help.
The image shows a person reaching out and offering their hand to rescue someone from drowning.
Helping Hand
Hope
Hope is worth clinging to. The thought that things will get better. This year, next year, whenever.
Hope gives us something to hang on for.
Hope gives us something to hang on for.
Hope with People
Never Give Up
If you give up you will definitely lose. So while there's hope (see above) there's a chance things will improve.
Never give up!
Never give up!
Never Give Up!
Old Age Stick Guy
Being old is not always a bad thing. You have the wisdom of experience and maybe even some money after a lifetime of work. There are memories, and children too with luck.
The body declines. Hearing, eyesight, mental acuity. A new age of permanent low-level pain begins.
Life gets harder to deal with and everything seems faster. Young people flash by in a blur of new things and some of the same old things that you went through.
Maybe someone will take the time to see if you are OK and coping.
One good thing is getting to drive one of these!
The body declines. Hearing, eyesight, mental acuity. A new age of permanent low-level pain begins.
Life gets harder to deal with and everything seems faster. Young people flash by in a blur of new things and some of the same old things that you went through.
Maybe someone will take the time to see if you are OK and coping.
One good thing is getting to drive one of these!
Mobility Scooter
Positive Attitude
Here are a couple of figures where the only difference is one is happy and positive - and the other is not.
It is a joke cartoon but we could learn from it. Or make stuff up like the experts do.
The difference is a state of mind. One guy is not feeling so good but he has everything the other guy has.
A smile might start to make things better.
It is a joke cartoon but we could learn from it. Or make stuff up like the experts do.
The difference is a state of mind. One guy is not feeling so good but he has everything the other guy has.
A smile might start to make things better.
Negative Stickman
Prison Life
It is easy to see the whole of life - work, social, relationships - as a prison. You build your trap and get stuck in it.
The chances of escape are extremely remote. For many people acceptance and finding a happy place are the ways to deal with it. Then life will feel less like a prison.
My stick guy is marking off the days on a cell wall. There is a little blue sky through the barred window and he is holding a coffee.
He has a drink, a piece of chalk and a tiny view. Those are good things. What he does not have is freedom.
The chances of escape are extremely remote. For many people acceptance and finding a happy place are the ways to deal with it. Then life will feel less like a prison.
My stick guy is marking off the days on a cell wall. There is a little blue sky through the barred window and he is holding a coffee.
He has a drink, a piece of chalk and a tiny view. Those are good things. What he does not have is freedom.
Prisoner Counting The Days
Here is the same guy looking out of his prison cell through the bars. Images and feelings like this seem particularly relevant during the time of enforced lockdowns and other restrictions of liberty.
Prisoner in Cell
Rehab
Sometimes used by celebrities as a smokescreen for bad behavior. When caught out they can check in to rehab in order to hide from the press, try to gain sympathy and ideally avoid jail.
More seriously, rehab is a far better option than jail time or ignoring a problem. A chance to recover away from the usual temptations.
Change your world.
Rehab Angel
Sad Stickman Faces
Here are some examples of sad faced stick men.
There is the obvious smile turned upside down to give a frown. And there are slightly more subtle expressions - as much as a stickman can ever be subtle.
The eyes look down or are closed. The mouth is small, lips pursed against the problems he is enduring. A few blue tears work well against the usual black and white image of the stick person.
Even a stickman can let people know how he is feeling!
There is the obvious smile turned upside down to give a frown. And there are slightly more subtle expressions - as much as a stickman can ever be subtle.
The eyes look down or are closed. The mouth is small, lips pursed against the problems he is enduring. A few blue tears work well against the usual black and white image of the stick person.
Even a stickman can let people know how he is feeling!
Sad Stickmen Faces
Shtick Man
This guy looks happy but don't look too close.
He seems fine on the surface as he does his act for the world but inside he has the same vulnerability and self-doubt as everyone else.
Let's move on before he loses the smile.
He seems fine on the surface as he does his act for the world but inside he has the same vulnerability and self-doubt as everyone else.
Let's move on before he loses the smile.
Stand Up Comedy Gifts >>
Shy Stickman
The cartoon picture below was a joke but shyness is not funny. It is a disabling condition that stops sufferers from achieving and doing all sorts of things.
There is nothing wrong with being shy. It does not mean you are a bad or inadequate person. The shy person is the one who avoids many things to prevent dealing with issues like meetings, presentations or social occasions.
The best way to deal with shyness is getting out there, doing stuff and meeting people. The more you do the easier it gets.
There is nothing wrong with being shy. It does not mean you are a bad or inadequate person. The shy person is the one who avoids many things to prevent dealing with issues like meetings, presentations or social occasions.
The best way to deal with shyness is getting out there, doing stuff and meeting people. The more you do the easier it gets.
Shy Stickman!
Social Anxiety and Alienation
They are all having a party. The drinks, laughter and chat is flowing and everyone is talking loudly and having fun. They are the in-group and are feeling powerful and confident within that.
It can be hard on the outside looking in. You can be physically in the group, holding a drink and feel completely alone and excluded. The conversation seems like some background chatter on the radio or TV and your brain drifts away.
You need to make an effort to focus and try to join in or maybe you can just go and sit in a corner and escape.
It can be hard on the outside looking in. You can be physically in the group, holding a drink and feel completely alone and excluded. The conversation seems like some background chatter on the radio or TV and your brain drifts away.
You need to make an effort to focus and try to join in or maybe you can just go and sit in a corner and escape.
Office Party
Ten Tonne Weight
The picture of a guy under a ten tonne weight is one of my earliest drawings.
It is not very good and yet I have never had the heart to delete it. Because it still speaks to me.
I don't want to throw that guy away because the loser, the squashed, the deflated and the oppressed are worth trying to save.
It is not very good and yet I have never had the heart to delete it. Because it still speaks to me.
I don't want to throw that guy away because the loser, the squashed, the deflated and the oppressed are worth trying to save.
A Ten Ton Weight
At the time of drawing he was under a huge weight feeling battered. But who knows where he is now? Maybe he got rid of the weight or it disappeared.
Years later I redrew the ten tonne picture and sadly it looks like he is still there.
Oh well. There's always tomorrow. Maybe a fork lift truck will be on its way.
Years later I redrew the ten tonne picture and sadly it looks like he is still there.
Oh well. There's always tomorrow. Maybe a fork lift truck will be on its way.
Ten Tonne Weight
The Scream Picture
A classic portrait of alienation, depression and fear - The Scream is one of the famous paintings most people have seen.
My stick figure version was originally meant as a humorous take. I could have tried replicating water lilies, haystacks or sunflowers but the Scream speaks to me.
The Scream is a popular poster for angst-ridden teenagers and young adults. It is an oddly comforting image to place on a bedroom wall.
My stick figure version was originally meant as a humorous take. I could have tried replicating water lilies, haystacks or sunflowers but the Scream speaks to me.
The Scream is a popular poster for angst-ridden teenagers and young adults. It is an oddly comforting image to place on a bedroom wall.
The Scream
Now Cheer Yourself Up
After all those sad pictures it might be nice to know there are happy pages on this site too!
Life is too short and precious to spend it being miserable or worrying about what might be. Living in the moment with a generally positive outlook is a good way to get on.
Get outside, take a walk or do a job you have been putting off for a while.
Have fun!
Life is too short and precious to spend it being miserable or worrying about what might be. Living in the moment with a generally positive outlook is a good way to get on.
Get outside, take a walk or do a job you have been putting off for a while.
Have fun!
Smile!
Created by Mark Ewbie. Last Updated: January 7, 2026.