ASSESSING THE EYE GAZE BEHAVIOURS OF ILLUSTRATORS SKETCHING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS FROM OBSERVATION
Year: 2024
Editor: Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik; Buck, Lyndon
Author: Howell, Bryan F.; Edwards, Alexandra M; Habben, David; Crowton, Melissa; Parker, Michael; Swenson, Clara; Day, Audrey; Germany, Jason
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Brigham Young University, United States of America; University of Washington, United States of America; Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom
Page(s): 252 - 257
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2024.43
ISBN: 978-1-912254-200
ISSN: 3005-4753
Abstract
Sketching is a historical means of sharing knowledge and remains vital for communication across disciplines. Drawing translates mental images and experiences into visual knowledge and expression. Sketching education is steeped in tradition, but emerging digital technologies like eye-tracking glasses allow researchers to, for the first time, see through the eyes of illustrators as they work. This exploratory study uses eye-tracking glasses to measure head and eye kinematics, eye gaze quantity and duration, and production script order of novice and expert illustrators. It introduces terminology, high-fidelity measurement tools, assessment methods, and insights that could influence future drawing pedagogy. Eleven illustration undergraduate students and three instructors wore eye-tracking glasses as they drew facial expressions while referencing live models. Results uncovered four categories of head pitch and eye saccade kinematics and expert and novice gaze differences referencing the model and drawing paper. Experts rapidly gaze at the reference 3.5 times more than the novice who gaze longer and 3.0 times more often than the expert. Novices gaze at their paper for 59% of their drawing time, compared to the experts at 40%. Experts had 18 rapid (less than 1.0 s.) paper gazes, while novices had 8. All participants followed a similar product script, beginning with light construction lines for the head, face, nose, eyes, and mouth in varying orders, then adding darker contour lines, adding detail from the centre outwards. Participants returned to refine eye and mouth facial details 25 – 35 times. This study uncovers previously unseen bio-mechanical movements and observational drawing methods.
Keywords: Eye Tracking, Drawing Pedagogy, Sketching Research, Head and Eye Kinematics, Drawing Gaze Quantity and Duration