Anatomy of
Facial Expression

Anatomy of
Facial Expression

4.7 based on 384 ratings

Our bodies recognize what we see before we actually see it, especially in people’s faces!

Our second book shows and teaches which muscles and movements create expressions. It features 3D scans and live photos of real people, with each muscle color-coded and it’s movement action described. 

+ Facial muscles function and form
+ Actions and expressions​​
+ 3D and live model references​
+ Color-coded muscle diagrams​​
+ Facial fat and connective tissue​​

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Uldis Zarins
Anatomy For Sculptors
222 pages
11×8.66×0.78
28x22x2
1st January, 2017
1st Edition

We color-code each muscle and use 3D scans and live photos of real people

The book features a movement system based on the Facial Action Coding System (F.A.C.S.), illustrating the movements each muscle performs across various facial expressions.

Action Units:

AU: 6+12+25

AU6-Cheek-raiser

See what's inside!

The book lets you understand the anatomy behind the facial movements and emotions. Provides you with the language to convey them the best!

See what's inside!

It lets you understand the anatomy behind the facial movements and emotions. Provides you with the language to convey them the best!

Recommended
by experts

Used by companies and schools in their daily workspace

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Anatomy For Sculptors

Tiago Rios

Character Artist / Digital Sculptor

– Santa Monica Studio

The book gives literally hundreds of easy tips for new and experienced sculptors interested in pursuing their anatomy studies but not sure how to begin.

To me, the most helpful section was the head and legs, the head for its complexity and amount of very tiny muscles composing it; the legs for its shapes and silhouette. 

The book doesn`t only teach you the name of the muscles but more importantly shows you how the muscles interact to form the big forms.

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Ladislas Gueros

Lead Character Modeler

– Fortiche

We used the Anatomy for Sculptors book a lot while modeling all the characters of Arcane’s season 1.

These books are absolutely amazing, and especially super clear. The way they explain how muscles interact with each other and how they simplify them was an incredibly valuable resource for us.

Even for stylized characters, we needed the anatomy to be as accurate as possible, and those books provided some much needed help for it.

I definitely recommend it, whether it is to learn anatomy, just as a reminder or to go even further in the knowledge of it. Be sure that they will be used to improve our characters in season 2!

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Frederic Daoust profile picture

Frederic Daoust​

Principal Character Artist

– Free Range Games

Anatomy for Sculptors books are my go to references for whenever I’m sculpting a character. 

The books have all the information I need as a sculptor and are super well organized to easily find whatever area of the body I am working on. The way they simplify shapes to help modelers understand them in three dimensions is something I haven’t seen done that well in other anatomy references books and that I find particularly helpful. 

I highly recommend those books to anyone looking to learn anatomy or for any sculptor  to have on hand to quickly find specific anatomy references. 

Frederic Daousts artwork

Arda Koyuncu

Art Director

– Riot Games

Regardless of your skill level, there is always something to learn and better when it comes to anatomy. Whether you are sculpting a character yourself, or giving feedback to your teams, finding good visual reference can be challenging.

Anatomy for Sculptors books are a great reliable resource that will make this knowledge easy to understand and accessible.
There are a wide range of breakdowns from simple, isolated forms to more complicated, from young to old, from human to animal anatomy. Not only do they make the process easier, they also provide new ways of looking at shapes, structure and flow.

I highly recommend incorporating this resource in your workflow even if your preferred medium is not sculpting.

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Ken Goshen

Painter & Teacher

Goshen Art Academy

As a classical art instructor, I’m always seeking resources that make anatomy accessible and engaging, and Anatomy for Sculptors has become indispensable for my students. This series emphasizes visual learning, with clear, realistic models that stand out from more stylized anatomy books. In our figure drawing sessions, it’s invaluable – students can quickly refer to any structure, reinforcing their understanding in real-time.

One of the most effective aspects of the series is its thoughtful use of color to distinguish anatomical structures, making it easier for students to form lasting mental connections. This color-coding doesn’t just aid in identification but also in memory retention – an essential benefit for anyone advancing in anatomy.

Beyond its educational power, the design of Anatomy for Sculptors makes it a pleasure to use. It’s aesthetically crafted, encouraging students to revisit its pages often, which enhances both engagement and learning. I highly recommend this series for artists of all levels; it’s a practical, beautifully designed resource that brings anatomy to life in an accessible and lasting way.

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