Lesson

The objective of the lesson is to gain a greater understanding of human facial expressions. The seven universal facial expressions are characterized by various features. Simple breakdowns of these elements are shown below. After looking at these micro-expressions, the class will pair up and each person will spend 10 minutes sketching their partner to get a proportional face to work with, though they may choose to work with a detail if they wish. The focus of the class is not portraiture and identity or accuracy is not essential. 45 minutes will be spent developing the face into one of the seven universal expressions below. This lesson is a technical development of expression and does not emphasize other elements of the portrait like value, texture, composition, etc, though the artist may choose to push these as a way of increasing the emotional and communicative power of the drawing.

TEST: A drawing easily recognizable as one of the seven universal emotions is effective and earns a B. One recognizable as a human face but lacking expression earns a C. A drawing which pushes expression to the obtainment of personality and true feeling earns an A.