How Do We Make Facial Expressions?

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None.

Special Information

Students do not need to bring anything with them.

Content of Course

How Do We Make Facial Expressions is a hands-on arts-based workshop focusing on the anatomy of our faces and how the underlying structure allows us to create different facial expressions and convey emotions. This workshop brings together the collaboration of art and anatomy, allowing anyone with an interest in anatomy or art to come together and learn, regardless of their anatomical knowledge. The aim of this workshop is to give students a better understanding of the anatomy of the face by creating a three-dimensional representation of the anatomy, but also an appreciation for arts-based learning and its use within anatomy education that is accessible to all.

Teaching method(s)

Students will be guided through the anatomy of the facial muscles by an Anatomist from Anatomy@Edinburgh, who will describe and show, through images and models, the structure of the muscles of facial expression, along with explaining anatomical terminology in layman’s terms. Students will be actively participating in this workshop to create the muscles in plasticine, as guided by the Anatomist, onto plastic life-sized skulls, alongside making the facial expressions themselves to help aid their understanding of the muscles they are using to make those expressions. By modelling the anatomy of the face, students will gain an insight into the structure and function of the underlying anatomy which we use in everyday life to communicate to one another.  

This workshop is designed for anyone with an interest in the human body and who would like to learn more specifically about our faces in a fun and engaging manner. This workshop creates a relaxed and creative environment in which students will be taken through the anatomy of the facial muscles step by step, building up the layers of different muscles. At the end of the workshop students will have recreated the muscles of facial expression and will be able to step back to admire their work, along with their fellow students’ work and document their learning with photographs.  

This is a hands-on, practical workshop.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this workshop students will have gained an understanding of the underlying anatomy of the face that allows us to create facial expressions, including the structure of the muscles and anatomical terminology.

Sources

Core Readings

No essential or recommended reading.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.