Resource: 6.3.R1 Functions of Human Facial Muscles

Facial muscles have predictable movements in response to how a person is feeling.

When you create drawings or paintings of people, you have opportunities to illustrate their feelings through facial expressions.

In this lesson, the exaggerated movements of muscles in simple cartoon faces show you how professional artists render believable facial expressions (Figure 1).

AngryThis is not a happy camper! When you see a face like this, you may want to turn around and get as far away as you possibly can (Figure 2).

The ART of Rendering FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

Figure 1

Create believable facial expressions in your artworks of people by understanding how muscles respond to various emotions

Level: Beginner to AdvancedFlesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 9.4Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 51.4Drawspace Curriculum: 6.3.R2 - 6 Pages and 14 Illustrations

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

2 6.3.R2: The Art of Rendering Facial Expressions

• The eyebrows are pushed down in the center over the upper eyelids. Vertical and horizontal creases appear on the forehead.

• The eyes are wide open. • The mouth is closed tightly and

the corners are forcefully stretched downward. The chin bulges upwards.

BoredThis expression is highly contagious. Yawning may indicate boredom, sleepiness, or simply a need for another cup of coffee (Figure 3).

• The eyebrows move close together and curve upward in the center. Vertical and horizontal wrinkles appear on the forehead.

• The eyes are partially closed. Crow’s feet and lower lid creases are pronounced.

• The mouth is relaxed and fully open. The upper lip is pulled upward and back. The lower jaw is dropped as much as is possible, stretching the lower parts of the face downward. Creases form from the sides of the nose down to the chin.

As an Aside

Some people are so skilled at feigning their facial expressions that huge, internationally-acclaimed events present them with prestigious awards. Of course, I’m referring to actors!

Contentment Feeling contented, amused, relaxed, pleasant, and friendly all result in a similar facial expression. In a room full of people, this is a face others are drawn toward (Figure 4).

• The eyebrows are relaxed and slightly lifted upward.• The eyes are partially closed and the upper eyelids droop downward covering part of

the irises.

Figure 2

Figure 3

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

36.3.R2: The Art of Rendering Facial Expressions

• The mouth is closed, relaxed, and pulled slightly back toward the ears.

DevastatedFeeling totally overwhelmed with extreme feelings of grief, devastation, or anguish results in an unmistakable facial expression (Figure 5).

• The eyebrows are lowered toward the center, and vertical creases form on the lowered brow.

• The eyes are very tightly closed with pronounced creases at the outer corners.

• The mouth is open, the center is pushed upward, and the lips are stretched horizontally and downward.

• The chin is raised and tight.

DisgustedThe expressions of hatred, horror, and disgust are very similar (Figure 6).

• The eyes are partially closed with a bulge beneath and pronounced crow’s feet.

• Deep, horizontal creases appear between the eyes and extend across the bridge of the nose.

• The inner sections of the eyebrows are lowered with vertical folds on the brow.

• One (or both) side(s) of the upper lip is raised.• The center of the lower lip and chin are

pushed upward.

Figure 4

Figure 6

Figure 5

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

Figure 8

EndearingWhether you call it endearing, ingratiating, or just plain old adorable, you simply can’t resist this face. This young man’s pleasant expression is enhanced by his dimpling cheeks, and his upper front teeth resting very slightly on his lower lip (Figure 7).

• The eyebrows are raised and curled upward in the center.

• Eyes are slightly closed, creating crow’s feet in the outer corners.

• The corners of the mouth are pulled back toward the ears.

Happy It’s true! Fewer muscles are used to smile than to frown (Figure 8).

• The eyelids and eyebrows are very relaxed.• The mouth widens and the corners curve up

and back toward the ears. Sometimes the upper teeth show.

Figure 7

Hilarity The facial expressions of laughter, hilarity, and glee, are quite catchy (Figure 9).

• The eyebrows are relaxed.• The eyes narrow and often close completely.• The mouth opens wide, back toward the

ears and lots of teeth are visible, especially the upper ones.

Figure 9

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

4 6.3.R2: The Art of Rendering Facial Expressions

Mischievous When you see a devious, impish, or mischievous expression, you begin to wonder what he (or she) is up to (Figure 10).

• The brow and eyebrows lower toward the center and partially cover the upper eyelids.

• The eyes narrow. • The mouth widens back towards the

ears in a grin.

Extreme Pain The expression of extreme pain (or anguish)is difficult to watch (Figure 11).

• The nostrils are pulled upward and the cheeks are raised.

• The eyebrows lower and numerous wrinkles extend from the inside corners of each eye across the bridge of the nose.

• The eyes are tightly closed, the lid line is straight, and vertical creases on the upper lid hide the upper lid fold.

• Crows feet extend from the outer corners of the eyes.

• The upper teeth are occasionally hidden under the upper lip, and the front lower teeth are usually showing.

• The mouth is open, and the lips are stretched horizontally and downward.

Sadness The emotions of sadness and unhappiness look much the same (Figure 12).

• The brow and eyebrows bend upward and toward the center, forming vertical and horizontal creases on the forehead.

Figure 10

Figure 11

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

56.3.R2: The Art of Rendering Facial Expressions

• The upper eyelids fold upward toward the center.

• The corners of the mouth curve downward.

Seduction The facial expressions of attraction, flirtation, and seduction are simple yet distinctive (Figure 13).

• The eyebrows are raised. • The upper eyelids are slightly closed. • The mouth is pushed forward puckering

the lips.

Terror The expressions of terror, surprise, and shock are similar (Figure 14).

Figure 12

• The eyebrows lift up and curve upward in the center.

• The eyes open very wide with the whites showing all around the irises.

• The mouth sometimes falls open.

Figure 13

Figure 14

ISBN: 978-1-77193-259-2Copyright © 2017 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any

means, including electronic, digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

6 6.3.R2: The Art of Rendering Facial Expressions