The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression

The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression by Gary Faigin is a comprehensive visual reference for artists who want to capture emotion in the human face. This PDF edition offers instant download and keeps the full text, illustrations, and index of the original book.

Faigin, a painter and printmaker trained at the Art Students League and the Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris, explains how facial muscles create expression. He focuses on the forehead and brows, the eyes, and the mouth and chin.

Book Overview

This is a major instructional work in the literature of art. It shows how the muscles of expression work and how their effects appear on the face. The author also explains why understanding the deep forms of the head and skull is necessary for successful portraiture.

The core of the book is devoted to the six basic human expressions: sadness, anger, joy, fear, disgust, and surprise. Each emotion is presented in increasing intensity, from subtle signs to full-blown expressions. The text is supported by 400 black-and-white illustrations from the author’s work, news photos, cartoons, movie posters, and art masterworks.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• How facial muscles affect the face and create expression
• Detailed study of the forehead and brows, the eyes, and the mouth and chin
• The role of the skull and deep head forms in portraiture
• The six basic facial expressions shown in increasing intensity
• Illustrated examples from news photos, cartoons, movie posters, and art masterworks
• An appendix on nuances of expression, including yawning and the face of pain

Why This Book Matters

The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression is a unique work on a subject central to every artist. It combines anatomical accuracy with lively visual examples, making it useful for students, portrait painters, and illustrators. Faigin currently lectures at the Art Students League of New York and has served on the faculties of the National Academy School of Design and the Parsons School of Design.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download and no physical item will be shipped. Access is available immediately after purchase. The PDF works with tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps.

FAQ

How do I get access after purchase? Instant download access is provided after your purchase is complete.

Will I receive a physical copy? No. This is a digital PDF edition, so no print copy is shipped.

What devices can I use? The PDF is compatible with tablets, desktops, mobile devices, and reading apps that support PDF files, including Kindle apps.

Add this guide to your digital library and begin exploring facial expression with confidence.