Tag: animating facial expressions

Animating the Eye Mask

One aspect of facial expressions in animation that is often overlooked is the eyelids. Typically, focus is placed on the more noticeable features, such as the eyebrows. However, the eyelids are just as crucial in conveying the full range of human expressions – they work tandem with the brows to create cohesive and believable facial movements. In this snippet from a live AnimSchool lecture, instructor Scott McWhinnie discusses what the eye mask is and how important it is to understand how it works in order to create unified, appealing eye poses on your characters.

While it’s true that eyebrows do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to expressing feelings like surprise, anger, or joy, the eyelids are just as important. The lids support the brows by reinforcing the emotional tone. If the eyebrows are raised in surprise, the eyelids should also reflect that motion—gently lifting or widening in response. If the brows are furrowed in anger, the eyelids will typically compress or narrow in the same direction. In the example below of Flynn Rider’s expression board, note how the eyebrows are the main driver of the emotion, while the shape of the eyelids supplement it by telling the same story.

The key here is unity – the brows and lids should not contradict one another. Working together and supporting each other allows them to convey a clear and homogenous emotion.

The eye mask typically refers to the entire region around the eyes, including the brows, eyelids, and surrounding area. By thinking of these parts as a whole, singular unit, it becomes more easy to ensure the consistency of expressions. When creating an expressions in animation, it’s important to consider how the entire eye mask stretches or squashes. For example, in a surprised or shocked expression, the eyes and eyebrows will both stretch upward. The eyelids will widen, the brows will arch, and the whole eye area will elongate. Conversely, for a more focused or determined expression, the eye mask may compress inward, with the lids narrowing and the brows angling downward.

While symmetry is important for certain expressions, asymmetry can add a lot of depth and nuance to a character’s face. For example, when creating an angry or surprised face, one side of the eye mask may be stretched out, while the other side will be squished to convey more emotional tension. This slight asymmetry can make a character’s expression feel more natural and dynamic, as human faces rarely show perfectly symmetrical emotions. A subtle shift in the direction the character is facing helps reinforce the character’s gaze and emotional direction, guiding the viewer’s perception and keeping the expression grounded.

To create believable expressions, treat the brows and eyelids as part of the same system. By using the eye mask concept, all elements of the face can work together harmoniously to express the same emotion. This leads to more natural, unified expressions.

Watch the full clip from an AnimSchool lecture here:

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Animating Eyebrows

Animating eyebrows plays a crucial role in conveying facial emotions and enhancing the overall appeal of animated characters. Though often overlooked, brows are essential in portraying mood and personality. In this clip from a live AnimSchool lecture, instructor Justin Weg explains the importance of eyebrow animation.

When animating eyebrows, think of them as a single unit – try to connect them with a line flowing into one another, while matching the shape/expression of the eyes. This will create a smooth and cohesive look, which is key in creating a natural, expressive character. The brows tend to react to the inner emotional state of the character, so connecting them helps maintain this unity.

Additionally, keep in mind that brows are very dynamic shapes, with the inner sections being more active and expressive than the outer. When the brows go down, the inner brows tend to crunch in. When the brows go up, they will pull out.

One key technique in animating brows is having them lead the head/body movement. When a character is about to speak or make a dramatic gesture, the brows often move ahead of the rest of the face. This can help with timing, allowing the character’s expression to build up before the full action, such as opening the mouth. For example, a character about to speak might raise their brows before they open their mouth, signaling anticipation.

Facial expressions can be either voluntary or involuntary. Involuntary reactions, like surprise or fear, tend to make the brows more symmetrical. Voluntary emotions such as curiosity, suspicion, or contempt tend to create asymmetry in the brow movements. A character questioning something, for example, will raise both brows evenly, while a character expressing doubt or confusion might raise one brow more than the other, creating an asymmetrical look.

When animating brows, arcs are important for creating more natural movement. Instead of linear motion, which feels stiff, adding arcs to the brow movements introduces fluidity to the animation. For instance, when lowering the brows, the outer brow usually leads, and the inner brow follows in a smooth arc. The same principle applies when raising the brows—start with the outer brow, and let the inner brow follow, creating a wave-like effect.

To enhance the realism of the movement, it can be helpful to offset the X and Y positions of the brows. This offsetting technique creates a more dynamic motion, especially when working with diagonal movements. By including slight delays between the movements of the inner and outer brows, you can achieve a more organic feel.

By focusing on the unity, expression, and subtlety of brow movements, animators can bring a new level of depth to their character animation. Refining the movement of the brows is an essential skill for any animator looking to create more relatable and emotionally engaging characters.

Watch the full clip from an AnimSchool lecture here: