Does anyone know of a good resource for facial expressions? (Other than Google Images)

[realSean_Murphy]

Does anyone know of a good resource to copy facial expressions like someone who is angry, happy, envious/jealous, sad, frightened/scared etc.?

[MannyMelancholy]

yessssss I do! "Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists" by Mark Simon. Not only does it teach you the expression but there are also different angles of what the expression would look like in certain positions! It contains a variety of of facial types making different expressions so i'm sure one will resemble a character of yours. It was a life saver for me and I still use the books today

[Aetherwing]

I have that book! It's wonderful.

[realSean_Murphy]

I'll check it out, and thanks!

[DoodleDamage]

Facial expressions is one of my most favourite things to draw (maybe THE most xD)! This is probably gonna be weird, but I honestly think the best resource is your own face. Not kidding. Just get a mirror with a stand, put it beside you, and try to feel what your character is feeling in that scene. Try to emote it, and just reference what you see in the mirror. This sort of exercise is similar to life drawing, where you reference real life, and just implement it into your own style. You will get results you never expected to ever get.

I never owned a copy of a facial expressions book, though I'm sure it will offer some good aid, since there's distinctions between different people (though it's good not to get too obsessed with that >_>;; it almost took up my life) It would be good to just go back and forth from real life reference to books because even though book can give you great ideas, it can be limiting as well.

╭( ･ㅂ･)و ̑̑ I wish you the best!!

[getsuart]

Hello!
Also try this website, called Artnatomia. They got a little application with two levels of details. It's really nice.

[KSlinger]

Might sound weird but music videos are a great source of facial expressions, especially those really dramatic ones made from clips of TV series and films. Lots and lots of expressions in very quick succession with no dialogue to guide you as to how they feel, giving you a chance to pin point the visual queues telling you what's happening. Watch them, pause them, study them, get elbow deep in how they make you feel.

[getsuart]

Indeed, it's a good idea!

Otherwise, here's another idea: put a mirror on your desk and draw what you see. It's what animators do, and I must admit I also use my mirror for this.

[okellymx]

http://artists.pixelovely.com/
&
http://www.quickposes.com/gestures/random

[Kayke]

I agree! A mirror is an artist's best friend! I am constantly using mirrors or taking selfies to get facial expressions. I also use mirrors and photos for pose reference.

A lot of times my friends and I will pose for each other to get an idea of how actions/expressions would look. It can be really fun, especially if you have to pretend a broom is a sword or that you're swimming or something

[zerofruits]

Here's a nice dA gallery

There's also a drawing meme going around, where you have to draw characters with specific expressions. It's nice to see how other artists approach certain emotions. But I suggest, drawing from photo reference or real life, rather than copying other artists' styles

[realSean_Murphy]

But there are some expressions that even to me are difficult to recreate. I guess I'm looking for those overly expressive anime facial expressions.

[DoodleDamage]

Cartoons in general are just exaggerated forms of real life. Think about squash and stretch

Also, don't be afraid to look silly when making expressions xDD!! (Also it would be a good idea to put a lot of focus on the eyes, and the mouth, regardless of its size.)

[shazzbaa]

But there are some expressions that even to me are difficult to recreate.

If you're having trouble making a particular expression, that might also be a clue. It's not always the case, but there have been several times I was shocked to discover that stock facial expressions I'd casually absorbed in media are impossible to replicate on a human face!

It's part of the reason a mirror (or having photobooth open on my computer) is really helpful. Instead of trying to replicate a particular expression in the mirror, I'll just try to replicate the emotion, and then see what my face does. Sometimes I'll find a new, better expression that way!

But also, yeah, definitely second the recommendation of the "Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists" book.

The Lackadaisy post that DoodleDamage pulled from up there is really good info too!! Here's a link to the whole thing: http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/exhibit.php?exhibitid=333

[nobebocafe]

Pinterest is also a nice place to find references.
Facial expressions