Category Archives: Facial Expressions

Unit 1: Lip Syncing

Lip Sync – Given Sound Clip

Initially, I was really dreading the lip sync activity and when I heard that I had to do two lip syncs – my heart sunk. However, I thoroughly enjoyed lip syncing because it added something extra to the animation. Something more relatable which allows audiences to connect with the character.

First Attempt at Lip Sync
Second Attempt at Lip Sync

I chose the – what I call – ‘Blow’ sound clip because I immediately envisioned this young woman with a sharp chin and a business bob holding a cigarette. The initial sketch I had is depicted below:

There is a lot of information about mouth shapes and phonetics, especially on the internet. I was quite overwhelmed with what direction to go in or how do I go about starting a lip sync. I really didn’t know how to plan it, so I just dove right in.

Lip Sync – Chosen Sound Clip

I decided to choose a sound clip that had been doing rounds on the internet and is coincidentally a saying that my sister repeated for days.

There are pros and cons about this clip, I’m very happy with what I produced but I should have had given the character a body and arms. The movement of the eyes and eyebrows aren’t necessarily fluid enough to read as natural movement. From these exercises I’ve learnt and understood the process of lip sync and created my own way to do it.

Without Faces
Elmo with Faces
Original Video for Sound Clip

Drawing my Dad

So, I asked my Dad to do various poses with certain expressions. I wanted to see if I could emulate these expressions and have the images to look like they came from the same person. I think that is what I find difficult, a character changing expressions or anticipation. My linear drawings are quite bold and are straight to the point, but my paintings are very suggestive. I like the suggestive-ness of these images and wonder if the paintings itself could lean into animation.

My Dad, Flatbrush and Technical Pencil on Procreate (2021)

Texture vs Line

The original line drawing is simplistic but allows for suggestion, I wouldn’t say it’s flat – but, I find it difficult to understand a change of expression or the head at different angles. The painting allows for the imagery to have some depth and possible movement. I feel this would work as I really like this style and it might be refreshing to animate.

Unit 1: Facial Expressions

Rotoscoping

I feel like I am cheating when I use rotoscoping. However, this style is very realistic and may be something I want to work towards as a visual aesthetic for my final project. Although, I need to work on the character’s intent – what’s their motive or reasonings behind their movements? I enjoyed rotoscoping as it gives me the detail I want but I need to match that with the essence of a character.

Below is a video about rotoscoping and the origins of it. I found it quite interesting to see how reference videos were used.

Youtube.com. 2019. The trick that made animation realistic. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS1hCSsmH1E>
My first attempt at Rotoscoping, TVPaint 24 FPS
All the frames together
Coloured in Procreate with watercolour texture, 12FPS