Complex Expressions - letting your characters think and feel

[@clownerybeetle4488]

How was your spoonful of peanut butter?

[@ElyraTsumi]

Erica Wester There's been better spoonfuls of peanut butter in the past?

[@halfmeltedgemini8737]

0mg 1m n0t th3 0nly 0n3 wh0 d035 th4t (34t p3anut 8utt3r 0n 4 sp00n)

[@SolelyACasualRambler]

Erica Wester i did not expect Erica herself to reply

[@SolelyACasualRambler]

Erica Wester why did you even chucked in a spoonful of peanut butter anyway?

[@halfmeltedgemini8737]

YourNeigborly Gamer 0k th4t 53nt3nc3 m4d3 n0 53n53 wh4t-50-3v3r

[@TheStarsTwilight]

"I don't know" - every Erica Wester tutorial ever

[@TheStarsTwilight]

Oh my gosh this suddenly got so many likes and ones from Erica herself I feel so honored

[@sagesparks1578]

I am now the 666th like

[@isramations7565]

And I was the 777th. So?

[@theycallmesomething4532]

i'm the 809th. give me cake.

[@momplzstop7858]

Rachael Twilight Iooooooo oooooooo ooo o o

[@legoduckie]

An exercise idea: Draw an expression. Redraw that expression next to the first, copying as closely as you can but drastically changing one aspect (eyes, eyebrow[s], mouth). Then copy that expression, but change a different aspect. Repeat this until paper/canvas is full. Bonus points if you then try to imitate the telephone-like transformation with your own face for the amusement of your self/friends. Update: It's fun.

[@sadfish9037]

Legoduckie i did that in math class a few days ago xd it kinda helped me.

[@vincentgagric3142]

Am I the only one that makes dumb faces while I'm drawing weird expressions? It's completely involuntary until I notice it.

[@tartcie]

Nope, I do also from what I've been told.

[@wigglebees]

yeeah i do that

[@Pironesia]

Vinny Bean YEP! I always make my face like the one I'm trying to do, or like, if I'm ever imagining a character in a situation I tend to make I even if I'm not drawing. It tends to help me express the character feelings but oh boy do I get a lot of worried questions. "Are you ok?" "You look worried." "You look like you're going to kill someone. I'm going to leave before you like, eat me." -I just get that one normally.

[@editt2728]

Vinny Bean OH MY GOD ME TOO

[@kiazzi5088]

Vinny Bean I kinda make the weird face I'm drawing :P

[@CaptainSoftboy501]

I forgot Welcome To Hell existed. now to go rewatch it over a million times like I did when I first discovered it X'D

[@tomanyfandoms4216]

Maria I do that every time, I watch it once and I can't stop re-watching it and then I get obsessed with it but it but then eventually I forget it

[@ollysmith7404]

This is Sock. He just killed his parents

[@LytzyBitzySpider]

Its 2019 i need a part 2

[@lynnie5478]

@@ollysmith7404 in his sleep

[@iivibezii5507]

Peppa the pig is my favorite anime

[@isaacevilman7586]

Mine is Cory in the House

[@thee.quirkmaster.3263]

Yeah,Cory in the House is a classic

[@Tashitoohot]

IIVibez II 😂😂😂😂😂 And big time rush is my favorite screamo band😭😂😂

[@justoh312]

mines shrek

[@alofaatu7717]

Yeah and Shawn Mendes is my favorite kpop artist

[@redcipher420]

The tiny giggles you do while drawing and talking make my day, you are adorable, okay I'll stop freaking out now.

[@jilliangrey1315]

12:28 that expression was "You did a bad but you're trying not to show that you did a bad"

[@theonionassassins982]

I love watching your videos because you seem so genuine and it makes me really happy. 'Cause you remind me of my friends and my older sister and just people in my life who've supported me

[@theonionassassins982]

Sorry that comment has nothing to do with the video, I just wanted to say

[@PrimalSincerity]

You've inspired me to start animating

[@biancalee9612]

Macy Forte Pidge is that you?

[@Katy133]

Great video! I also highly recommend reading "Faigin's Face Blog." It focuses on facial expressions for animated characters and even points out details that Pixar animators miss. I only recently discovered the blog.

[@mimo__.-]

Katy133 i looked it up on tumblr but i dont get any results, did they change the blogs name?

[@Katy133]

It's not on Tumblr; it's a side blog on garyfaigin dot com. It'll be the first result on Google when you type "Faigin's Face Blog." I'd link it for you directly, but KZbin spits out links. >_

[@WarhammerFan2002]

This completely changed how I draw and think about drawing faces. I studied this video and improved 10,000%. Thanks so much for this!

[@kandeekornart]

your way of drawing emotional expressions is perfect I have to agree with them and it's absolutely smooth and so easy to love and fits all the characters

[@black_lemon5258]

7:14 is different now when I learned that people can go through actual grief when a book/movie/series ends or a character dies. You can get so good at this that many people don’t acknowledge the difference of real life and fiction.

[@dragonofepics7324]

I'm an autistic artist and that makes facial expressions twice as difficult for me. I don't have a way of knowing if I'm matching the right facial expression because I can't even read other people's facial expressions very well.

[@existeeart2440]

Wow... I just had a spoon full of peanut butter right before I clicked this video...

[@SpaceCatYT403]

Same here

[@hypnos9356]

7:38 might be the cutest thing I've heard all day

[@eyesjulien9569]

My face just always does the emotion i'm trying to draw

[@szyszkaszok1628]

Don't worry too much, you talking very important stuff, that aren't sometimes oblivious ~ Those tips are great, thank you for it, really! It's nice to watch you

[@somethingsfishy1997]

Anybody thought of Inside Out while viewing this video??

[@muhnoodles]

I actually do really like these "explanation" or "pseudo-tutorial" videos

[@sockmanga9367]

Talking is easy young man Drawing is harder

[@coxnsox9462]

Sock Manga - Is that a Hamilton reference I hear?..

[@creepyeep]

*SON*

[@paranormalbunnycorn]

Did you just

[@tavrake1473]

DONT CaLL mE soN

[@hannaali7509]

hAMilTOn omahgod i am way too obsessed help me

[@venilliopede]

I loved this tutorial so much! I always enjoy to hear you express your thoughts freely, and explain exactly what you do to improve your expressions personally. I'd be very interested in a tutorial on body expression and placement!

[@woodyscorner8536]

"This is already off to a bad start. I just ate a spoon full of peanut butter" Best intro 👏👏👏👏👏

[@KatelynSparks]

3:08 I have that book and it's amazing, I 100% reccomend this everyone who wants to make a comic, or just art in general, it helped me alot.

[@socksowachowski3679]

Erica I have a queastion. u made w2h about 3 years ago. how r u going to get the same voices for each character?

[@isaacevilman7586]

Multiple takes and a lot of cough drops...

[@socksowachowski3679]

Isaac Evilman lol that might work

[@teruvazquez2482]

Erica Wester ahh I really hope you can make welcome to hell a show.

[@sometimeslemons]

Something I recommend is drawing memes. They involve a lot of different emotions and sometimes just have a face. You can just use the expression and get used to it over time.

[@hypnos9356]

I'm glad you mentioned the detail of putting little indentations around eyes so that they look more like they're sunken in. I'm going to try to incorporate this in my drawings from now on so as not to make eyeballs look like eggs that were somehow glued with some magical egg-glue to a face.

[@happibunni-ip3re]

“I just ate a spoon full of peanut butter” - Erica Wester, 2017

[@peachfizzart]

11:25 that good sir, is a "what the fuck have I gotten myself into" face. My friends make it whenever I do something that proves I'm a dumbass.

[@Gamma36]

Ik we're not supposed to ask FOR a finished animation, but are you planning to make a Welcome to Hell Part 2? :\

[@sunev1024]

BlueBrush Draws check their tumblr, lots of people already asked

[@Gamma36]

(ik lots of people have already asked lol) and k thanks

[@raydidit9514]

BlueBrush Draws She's also trying to get it pitched into a show.

[@Gamma36]

@Andrew Funbun Really? That would be so cool if it was!!!!!!

[@raydidit9514]

BlueBrush Draws Ikr! But some networks don't like the suicidal themes.

[@beaniecakes124]

*Me when I say something and people don't react the way I want*: What is this emotion I don't know

[@wugglie]

a n g e r y

[@eddhead101]

Expressions are always my favorite thing about drawing (≧▽≦)

[@KarjamP]

To make your characters expressive is actually deceptively easy: If you see your characters as expressing themselves _while_ you're creating your drawing, you'll naturally be projecting that expression. What you're essentually doing is projecting thoughts through your work.Since people, and thsu, by extension, fictional characters, project their own thoughts all the time, what you're essentially doing is creating a full, living person, complete with thoughts to claim as their own. Think of them as imaginary friends that live inside your drawings.

[@oopsidrowned5464]

Most people write a script and stick to it and so your 'uhhh's and 'I don't know's are refreshing

[@Shinygemblue]

I needed this today. Thank you so much!!!

[@HugoBDesigner]

Well, while you're at it, and if you're willing for an extra challenge, how about character pose? I mean, you're so great with body language too. And no, not just saying this cuz of the other person, I did notice the facial expressions in Welcome to Hell and always thought they were super awesome (like when Sock takes a deep breath after Jonathan asks what he wants, among many, many other examples). A few examples that come to mind are when Mephistopheles is offering him the job, or when Sock is holding his hat awkwardly when Jonathan offers his headphones, or when he slowly drags his backpack towards himself at the bus, and so on, you get the point. Love your videos, they might seem like super simple things for you since you've been on drawing and animating for so long, but for someone like me trying extra hard to get better at drawing, they're incredibly helpful!

[@jestersudz6085]

4:41 desperation is legit every single person in every ad ever.

[@ieategg5131]

I DIED LAUGHING 😂 omg

[@Gurtopolis]

11:18 you stubbed your toe, or you stepped on a rusty nail, choose your poison

[@kylefisher7181]

yay your not dead

[@wonderslug]

11:15 That emotion is actually called internal screaming.

[@porlQ]

Yes! I've struck gold! This is awesome! I've really needed help on facial expressions (especially surprised expressions) and this was really really helpful.

[@neopests9493]

"I just ate a spoonful of peanut butter"

[@SatanicGeek]

Dude, i love listening to you talk. You're full of substance, while being relatable and easy to learn from... DUDE! COOL. Nice. Love. Sweet.

[@frydfish4934]

*shamefully screws lid back on peanut butter jar*

[@lordacies1114]

Were you a fan of Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends? Because the interesting mouth shapes you do remind me of the show.

[@xart_personx2050]

Well, I found a new favorite artist.

[@Tera_totally]

I looked at the thumbnail and thought "Those facial expressions remind of Erica Wester's art, I NEED to learn how to draw them!" And then I realized Erica herself made this video, YAY! :D

[@MomoDearestt]

You are the reason why I'm going to get my animation degree. you're amazing! Id love to see how you draw exaggerated poses. :D

[@Yechmon]

Thank you Erica wester I'm 13 right now and im chasing my dream to be a author who makes comic books this lesson really helps thank you so much!

[@TheSpeep]

well... I had intended to practice drawing faces this summer, so this is a really helpful video at a really nice time, thank you!

[@zoeforrester6364]

"I just ate a spoonful of peanut butter" I relate so much

[@hotmf6239]

Jake Forrester Literally me

[@afroampharos]

I'd love to see some animation tutorials and how to edit/compose them into videos (something that I've started to wonder about, especially for programs where the timing you had can be lost).

[@afroampharos]

Erica Wester Thanks :)

[@afroampharos]

Erica Wester I forgot to mention, what peaked my curiosity about editing animations was that while I was at school I tried exporting the frames of a small bouncing ball animation I made in Flash into Windows Movie Maker and when I did each frame was automatically set to show for 7 seconds. I played around with the duration for a bit (while me teacher wasn't looking) and I think I got close to how it looks in Flash, but idk, it just got me thinking. lol

[@afroampharos]

Erica Wester Oh, cool :D

[@deathbyreindeer4174]

THIS WAS GREAT ALSO I LOVE DINOSAURS

[@koopy_vs_world7619]

YELLING IS FUN

[@iskierkacest]

YEAH I LOVE YELLING

[@imaperson9582]

*YELLS*

[@bananasplitlady3045]

I love your drawing style!

[@crispymerchant5070]

I was trying to forget that show and I almost did but here we are

[@rakosh5209]

With the abominations I’ve drawn, having them think and feel would be the last thing I’d want.

[@avamolinaro5559]

I freaking love your rambling

[@sourcherry8928]

Your voice kinda reminds me of H.C. Brown

[@maxwhalington8653]

Dead Kid YAAAS

[@katiewarner9011]

"I JUST ATE A SPOONFUL OF PEANUT BUTTER SO BARE WITH ME" ME TOOOOO, MAN

[@wahhbajack]

"A spoonful of PB makes the intro- go wrong." XDD

[@mariyah7992]

Could you do a character design tutorial??? And also tell us about what software you use to animate and the process you go through???

[@cakiepop2038]

I SQUEALED in my chair when I saw this.

[@havesomeasparagusplease7383]

I just kinda quietly stared at the ceiling during the dinosaurs thing because it freaked me out

[@ang2460]

This is a big mood

[@princessjpen]

Thank you! I mean all my charas look the same but now they can at least have different expressions xxx

[@g1ngerbred723]

"Talking is easy." Speak for yourself...

[@lillianmarie9249]

G1ngerbred please tell me that pun was intentional

[@Bringthemhome7]

"I just ate a spoonful of peanut butter" omg i love you lol

[@MitchellCFlint]

YOU'RE BACK :D !!

[@ronron1622]

"Welcome to hell" is one of my fav animations

[@24Kitsune]

This was amazingly helpful, thank you!!

[@mikemkam5286]

Could you please make a video talking about the drag/distortion that you add to movement to exaggerate it? That would be great because I really wanna make my animations come alive. Also, how you come up with such great oc's? That would be amazing. Sorry for such a big ask, but your movements and oc's are incredible! Thanks in advance, and if you could reply that would be very much appreciated. Love your videos! - Zento

[@ASockless]

Loved the video. It really helped me with my facial expressions. :D

[@mguerra79]

Thank you for the video. Short, yet very nice! Ty.

[@mattlibra3139]

A SPOONFULL OF PEANUT BUTTER GURL IM SHOOK THAT IS MEE. THE FUXKS

[@harpie_raven5889]

Erica Wester, I fucking idolize you. You are amazing, thank you so much, this was so helpful my god!!!!

[@ryanmartin9331]

Hey your an amazing artist! don't ever give up!!😊😊

[@polarisqwq]

Also NICE VIDEO! Love these videos so much XD

[@lodewijk.]

Oh nice you’re alive

[@superfreak_nico]

A spoon full of peanut butter makes the medicine go down.

[@ania.r.2550]

The only video I watched that was yours before this one was the Welcome To Hell video which i kept rewatching

[@pasiaomega3868]

lmao!!! Dinosaurs still creeps me out, especially the baby. The. Freakin. BABY....

[@ThatGuyMikey1]

I like peanut butter, too. Nice taste man.

[@CyberSoulgem]

This was really helpful, I was wondering if you could make a color theory video tutorial?

[@leavingthezone876]

This is awesome! Thanks so much for this video! You helped me a lot!

[@gabewright5571]

I WAS WONDERING WHEN THAT DINOSAURS TAB WAS GONNA PLAY IN

[@cherubsteeth]

Holy hell an upload

[@cloroxbleach4465]

I want sequels to welcome to hell!!!

[@jestersudz6085]

thank u. Now i know. Know I can draw expressive. I'll have to make the pupils of my drawings a bit smaller tho, and I'll defiantly remember the eyelid thing.

[@RallisTheStarBird]

expressions are always something that I struggle with. mostly it's the placement of the eyebrows, because I find that that's something that is very important :\

[@JacksonsMainAcc]

im two years late but- seeing "caged animal" made me wheeze the more I looked at it, lmao.

[@kandeekornart]

not the mama! XD that show Dinosaurs was awesome I didn't get to see alot of it though!!

[@ImilceASanchez]

I know for sure my mom watched that show

[@huntersmoone9123]

An emotionless being is watching this.

[@Dosko]

Have you ever thought about live streaming your art production? I've noticed more and more animators are doing that. I'd really like to see that if you did it.

[@jamiemello2006]

Could you make a video on getting positions to flow? Like making simple shapes and structures. I feel like that would be really helpful!

[@immortalmcg4379]

I think a live stream of you animating on twitch would be cool!

[@CaptainSoftboy501]

And facial expressions are my favorite part of drawing >3> me: "I need an angry/disgusted/meh face" *makes stupid facial expression and draws it onto paper* *wild mom appears* "Hey sweetie, do you--" Me: *while still keeping the facial expression* "give me a second mom" Mom: *backs away slowly unable to understand the artist life* X'D

[@wardedthorn6523]

There's an expression just called "You ATE it?!" in that bool 😂

[@jonnyb.animationstutorials7119]

Actually most Animatronic Suits are made from Latex and real or fake fur and even just cotton.