Elective Physiognomies

Kathy sent me the link to this artist named, John Tonkin.
On his interactive website, he explores Elective Physiognomies:

Physiognomy is the reading of a person's character from the physical features of their face. Historically physiognomical studies consisted of drawings of faces accompanied by a written analysis.

Tonkin's research explores the question of cultural, psychological, and genetic identity. On Tonkin's website, you can take a survey, which allows you to pick from a line-up of 5 digitally manipulated versions of the artist's face and assign them character attributes based on their physical features. It's a fun survey.

Perhaps animators should study facial structure and physiognomy in order to create believable characters. For example, if our character is shy, will they look a certain way? Does a shy person have petite features? Artists should be aware of how an audience will perceive their characters in order to effectively communicate their ideas.


Based on Tonkin's survey, I decided to compile a physiognomical (?) analysis of my own, only I picked from a cartoon line-up:

Intelligent:



Least Intelligent:



Introverted:



Least Introverted:



Trustworthy:



Least Trustworthy: