Mini Specialisation: Speaking Without Words (Overview & Tasks)

Expressions of Disney's Eugene "Flynn Rider" Fitzherbert from "Tangled", drawn by Glen Keane

For the mini specialisation this tri I had initially thought to do a small lip syncing project in 2D but decided in the end that the scope was too large for my experience level after doing a bit of research into it and a brief chat with Steve. So I've (apprehensively) decided on an exploration into animating facial expressions in 2D. Nailing expressions is something that I think completes an animation, people express happiness sadness and anger in many different ways and I believe it is something key to a characters personality as to how they express themselves. Of course the way in which they move is key, but I will be focusing on the face as it is something that I generally struggle with and want to improve on. My project will be subject to alteration as I explore more and more but the general gist is as follows.

My Work

My animated 2D work is rather limited to a jittery walk cycle from Trimester 1 .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiQetImBvkg

Despite my lack of folio in 2D animation, I've faith in my fundamental drawing skills to deliver. The work below is a little bit of work from the last two years.

Goals

My goals in this project of course includes the ability to be able to produce a smooth animation. Though I also wish to be able to understand the principles of animation better as as well as understanding facial anatomy intimately. I also hope to become more proficient and familiar in using the software - Animate - itself.

My final deliverable for this project is still being deliberated, I am considering animating a small series of reactions of a particular character displaying various emotions and reactions. Much like that of an idle, walk, run, jump, etc. set for games I want to make something similar with emotions and facial expressions.

Plan

My plan of action is to do some study into facial anatomy by observation and looking at various expression charts for reference. I'll also be reading through and watching various tutorials as well as looking at advice.

Outsourced Images:

http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.com/2010/11/disneys-tangled-character-design.html

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Task List

Tutorials/ Guides/ References:

• https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/drawing/draw-facial-expressions-quick-guide/ - How to Draw Facial Expressions: A Quick Guide:

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• https://thinkinganimation.com/twelve-rules-facial-expression/ - Ollie Johnston Notes - "Twelve Rules for Facial Expression" :

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• https://www.animationkolkata.com/blog/2017/01/03/facial-expression-animation/ - Facial Expression in Animation

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• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2SYLwCwoNQ - How to Animate Faces - Subtle Facial Expressions

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• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Qvpti1dS1KKC7PLyLl__g/featured - BaM Animation - A great channel to go back to as a reference for workflow.

To Create/do:

• Practice and learn facial anatomy via observation and reference images - draw caricatures of friends and family.

• Design a character to animate for the final body of work

• Keep researching and finding new resources

Cheers,

Grassland