How to Convey Body Language in Drawings

While the positioning of the eyebrows, eyelids and shape of the mouth determine facial emotions, the bodily emotions are much more complex. An individual can convey body language through the opening and closing of the hand, the position of fingers, the bending of the arm, the tilting of the head, posture, foot positioning, the raising and lowering of shoulders and many more movements.

Things You'll Need

• Tablet
• Photoshop
• Drawing pencil
• Pencil eraser
• Drawing paper

Instructions

Terror

1. 

   Raise the arms. The fingers on one hand are spread out and the fingers on the other hand are brought close to the body. This character is instinctively trying to protect herself.

2. Plant her feet firmly on the ground. She's stopped dead in her tracks. But her legs are slightly bent inward because she is off balance.

3. Keep her eyes wide. Her attention is focused intensely on her object of horror.

4. Draw a few lines in her mouth to emphasize clenched teeth. Make these lines faint or else her teeth will stand out too much.

5. Her waist is twisted as she tries to turn away from her source of terror.

Grief

1. 

   Have her cover her face. Her face is covered because she refuses to look at the world. She also might not want anyone to see her cry. Or, maybe she is hesitant to receive sympathy.

2. Keep her elbows bent and close to her. Her elbows are kept within her for protection. She is feeling vulnerable.

3. Have her sit down. She is on her knees because she is so overwhelmed with emotion that standing has become difficult.

4. Cover her face with her hair.

Relaxed

1. 

   But the arms behind the head as if the character is stretching.

2. The character's eyes are closed because there is nothing to fear.

3. Draw the character smiling slightly.

Shy Smile

1. 

   Have her raise her left leg slightly as she keeps shifting her weight.

2. Have her play with her skirt nervously.

3. Twist her body to show her turning away bashfully.

4. Have her tilt her head to show further emotion.

5. Draw slanted lines to indicate blushing.

6. Have her look up to indicate positive emotion.

Joy and Confidence

1. 

   Draw her arms behind her back with her fingers locked. This normally mature girl has her hands locked behind her back. Emotion has brought out her girly side.

2. Her legs are spread wide as she walks confidently.

3. Draw her with her chest out to emphasize her confidence.

4. Draw her smiling sweetly. This is a slight, but distinct smile.

5. Draw her eyes shut. She feels relieved.

Laughter

1. 

   Her mouth is opened wide as she laughs.

2. Draw her with her hands grasping her arms. She is holding her joy in.

3. Pushing down her stomach causes her skirt to move.

4. Draw her with her legs spread out, but her knees are turned in.

5. Draw her with her eyes shut. People have a tendency to shut their eyes when they are laughing hard.

Tips & Warnings

• Inward usually means negative emotions, while outward normally means positive emotions. But there are exceptions to these rules.

• Upward is usually positive and downward is usually negative. But there are exceptions to this rule.