Resources for facial expressions and body language.

Shishio · Post by **Shishio** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 4:01 pm

I have a really hard time accurately describing the facial expressions of my characters in my writing, and I can barely picture appropriate body language at all.

So I would be grateful if anyone could direct me to sites/books/whatever that show lots of pictures of different facial expressions and body language poses.

Dburkhead · Post by **Dburkhead** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:15 pm

Scott McCloud's "Making Comics" goes into facial expressions a bit. I also really like Gary Faigin's "The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression. This one isn't just a set of labeled example expressions but goes into the anatomy behind those expressions in some detail.

For body language I like captures/clips from movies. Study how actors get across certain feelings and the like. It occurs to me that books on acting might help with that, but I don't know any offhand.

Hmm. Might have to check with the library here before shelling out the bucks for some books.

Warofwinds · Post by **Warofwinds** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:27 pm

Someone posted this one a while back, and I've had it bookmarked:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/47118559/

"Emotions and Facial Expressions."

It's very simplified, but it could help. Good luck!

Kirb · Post by **Kirb** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:06 pm

I also highly recommend McCloud's book. It's got a great couple chapters just on that subject. It's only $30, so not too bad.

But you can always do the traditional animation way of doing things:

a plain, old fashioned mirror.

Joel Fagin · Post by **Joel Fagin** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:42 pm

One trick I've discovered...

When you want to mix two expressions - say, "shocked but happy" - then set the eyebrows to one of them and the eyes to the other. Works well and it's simple to understand.

- Joel Fagin

Black Sparrow · Post by **Black Sparrow** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:00 pm

Sometimes, it helps to just find a busy place (a cafe or a mall) and just watch people. After all, drawings are based on real expressions.

Jdalton · Post by **Jdalton** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:11 pm

I heart Scott McCloud's Making Comics. Though this blog post has a little bit on expressions too. But not a lot.

Magpye · Post by **Magpye** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:31 am

Nothing is quite the same as people-wtaching, but I found a couple of resources online:

This Java Program is intended to help kids with Asperger's syndrome recognise common facial expressions, so it is quite basic.

Artnatomy is a bit more involved and gives you a bit more idea of how the underlying muscle groups affect the expression. I recommend Level II. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it's great fun to play with.

Also, for figure reference I can only suggest The Illustrator's Figure Reference Manual. I believe this is now out of print so could be pricey from a retailer, but I picked up my copy for £4.50 on eBay, so miracles do happen.

Hope it helps!

Brigid · Post by **Brigid** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:17 pm

These are all very good suggestions. Here's my two cents.

Check out your local library's art section. And if you have any magazine subscriptions I'd recommend flipping through them. If nothing else, the advertizements should provide some useful resources.

Hope that helps. ^_^

Shishio · Post by **Shishio** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:17 am

Thanks for the suggestions. I have McCloud's book, (How could any self-respecting comic artist/writer not have a copy?) which, if I remember correctly, recommends Fagin's book.