I’ve got some news for you. Yeah, you! You’re not just a pretty face, reader my reader. While your face does have up to 21 distinct facial expressions, it’s your body language that says everything about you! Socially, sexually, and artistically speaking, it’s something important to be aware of all the time. In 3DX and erotica, body language can say more about how a character is feeling than words or actions.
BODY LANGUAGE BOOT CAMP
Though contested by science, the generally accepted rule is that nonverbal cues represent approximately 55% of all language. So what kind of cues are they talking about? On a basic level, it’s the way you present yourself to others at any given moment. For example, a regular commuter on the train generally has a vacant expression. Their arms or legs crossed, they hide their eyes through sunglasses, a book or phone. Our imaginary train commuter also has a straight posture and has glanced at the exits a time or two.
Now think of their opposite: a person looking to invite someone else to spend time with them. This person may look for a partner in a public setting. A person wanting to display open and invitational body language would stand with a relaxed posture and their arms uncrossed. They might smile at the intended person repeatedly; we take a smile as an indication that a person is happy with a situation. A woman might have a glass or purse in hand, something that could be considered a phallic object. This person is as far from the train commuter as we can imagine; they’re openly displaying themselves and their personalities to the world. But these two examples may be exactly the same person, just at different times of the day or week.
Nonverbal expressions can change in an instant when people recognize friends on the train or see someone uninteresting at the club walk over. Body language is also not just situational. A confident stride across the bar or office is just as telling as uncrossing arms and leaning in. What our bodies say to others is important. This is especially the case during sex, where most of the cues after a certain point are nonverbal. It’s important in 3DX porn where still images represent whole scenes of emotion for a character. Recognizing realistic nonverbal cues will help people empathize with the character in important places of excitement, discomfort, or arousal. Such connections make them feel more realistic.
A woman’s makeup is a particular nonverbal cue that appears in everyday life. Having makeup on can highlight attractive and mature bone structure while red lipstick highlights wet and pouty lips. I bet those words remind you of something else, right? Good, it’s supposed to! That red lipstick is a form of facial mimicry. Facial mimicry is when we mimic something in our faces or expressions that reflect a sexual act or private body part. Lipstick is facial mimicry for the genitals; as they become fuller and more red with higher rates of arousal, we instinctively find that representation attractive. Even if mimicry isn’t on purpose, most women who use red lipstick do it to feel more attractive or confident. The concept fulfills those needs by representing sexual confidence in a visual manner.
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
We’ve discussed some of the basic clues that body language may require, like dancing and makeup. But there are a lot of cues during sex that are important to arousal and enjoyment. What’s even more interesting than that long list of things we like to do with our dangly bits is a comparison between different gestures that tell completely different stories about passion and enjoyment.
A great example to talk about is eye contact during sex. Eye contact is a very dominating force that you can use to hold contact and share a moment. Conversely, you may also use it challenge your partner into going faster. William Shakespeare called them “windows to the soul,” and in some ways they are. They dilate when we’re afraid or aroused and tell others about how we feel at the moment. Vanessa Martin, a blogging sex therapist, notes that,
“On a literal level, making eye contact means being seen by another person. So many of us have fears and insecurities that we would like to keep hidden from other people, and there’s something about eye contact that can feel like we’re totally exposed. Naked, even.”
Adversely, closing your eyes isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can imply that you’re enjoying yourself too much to focus anymore. Conversely, it can mean you feel relaxed with the other person and their technique. Eye contact is powerful if avoided during sex but then employed at the climax of one or both partners. It serves as an acknowledgement your partner is responsible for helping to bring that release to you.
We’ve spoken recently here at Affect3D about the difficulty in creating the perfect cumshot and its different levels of implied intimacy. Eye contact can deepen your enjoyment of that “money shot.” When the model looks down at the point of penetration, she’s likely aroused by the sight. Suppose, on the other hand, she’s looking at the man or monster responsible. They could be sharing a moment of deep attraction or enjoyment. If her eyes are closed and face relaxed, however, she could be so deep into ecstasy it brings the viewer to their own climax.
AWARENESS IS ARTISTIC
The combinations for human expression are endless when you consider every possible facial and body cue. If an artist is conscious of body language, they can convey more of a heroine’s story through how she presents herself to the world. We’ll talk about this in September where I’ll be discussing how body language can impact 3DX.
SquarePeg3D
August 18, 2016YES! Body language and expressions are such an overlooked, but insanely powerful tool to any work of art featuring the human form. This is an EXCELLENT article! Thanks so much for the insight, Bianca! =D
Whoa! That’s TWO of my pictures that showed up within a one-week span on A3D! Thanks, again! For anyone curious, the headline image of the elf with the runny mascara is from my comic “Broken II,” which you can find out more about at my blog, squarepeg3d.tumblr.com in the “Animations and Comics” section! =D
DB Spencer
August 18, 2016What Square said!
When posing my shots, body language is usually the first thing that I consider. I love and practice eye contact between characters as often as possible. It’s very dear to my heart. 😀 I also love mixing in unexpected emotional reactions that show partners love and enjoy each other: Smiling at each other; inserting a shot of them giggling or tickling each other in the middle of an otherwise serious series; Using the hands and their gentle suggestive gestures and touches to relay emotion.
It’s also why I love adding “Behind the Scenes” shots at the end of my series. Candid, fun shots showing characters being themselves are just too fun to resist. 😀
And DUH, Square! Your art deserves to be here, silly! It rocks! 😀
SquarePeg3D
August 18, 2016Well said! I’m also a fan of the deep, passionate kiss. Nothing helps with the chemistry than one-uh dem! =D
I saw your most recent “Behind the Scenes” shots! The idea is an awesome one! It makes the characters feel less like “characters” and more like actual people. And where’s Spencer’s feature!? His stuff is amazeballs! =D
DB Spencer
August 19, 2016His stuff? *bonks Square on the head with HER nerf bat… HARD! Then smiles all innocent and shit.*
I’ve had the honor of my stuff being in a couple Affect articles. Most recently this month’s Staff Picks. ^_^
SquarePeg3D
August 19, 2016I’m so sorreh! I had no idea about either of those things! *cries* Apparently I need to peruse Affect3D more often! *nod nod*
IBT
August 18, 2016Now if we could just get miro in the habit of not avoiding eye contact between Tara and Sayako … and letting that eye contact be visible with his choice of camera angles …