In the coming months, as time permits I’ll be putting together a facial expression reference guide to aide in analyzing the performance of some of my characters. Trying to find ways to move beyond the basics of motion and timing, into proper timing that establishes the ideas behind the actions as well as the audience’s interpretation of it.
Been paging through the art of books, asking friends to act out lines, getting advice from fellow animators, and toggling frame by frame through my film library in order to craft face moves according to realistic musculature; with hyper-accurate lipsyncing and anatomical accuracy, regardless of how stylized the character might be.
Should be able to share some results with folks later this year.