Why don't most dolls have a smile?

I used to live in a city that is known as a 'retirement' town and regularly saw all kinds of older people everywhere I went. What struck me enormously was how - as a person ages- their dominant expression becomes 'etched' in their face.

So while I do not travel through life with an idiot grin on my face, I do endeavor to keep my face at least somewhat pleasant. I do not want to look like those old ladies who permanently appear to have bit into something foul and can't spit it out!

 

I had been about to throw the question out there but thought to search up *happy vs sad/serious doll* first and came across this thread.

I find this conversation interesting ~ in particular because of the fact that a large number of respondants prefer neutral faces for the purposes of posing and photographing them. I can see the dilemma people face, but not everyone is about taking pictures of their dolls...

The reason I'd thought to ask the question is that I've found that I'm attracted to gently smiling dolls rather than those with sad or overly serious expressions. I can have a quiet doll but I could never have a dour one.

I don't read angst, I don't watch tragedy and I certainly won't play unhappy games with my dolls...but then I've always been more about laughter than tears when I write, draw or take photographs....so I guess my choice in dolls reflects my interests as it does others.

I much prefer a slightly enigmatic smile on the lips of a doll sitting by my side at the pc than one with a completely neutral expression ...because it makes me smile.

 

While big smiles or frowns can come off as instantly happy or sad...more toned down expressions can REALLY be more versitile. They can be happy, sad, angry, confused, worried, anything ^w^ I LOVE the less extreme facial expressions--they're much more appealing for photography and on a general day to day basis in my point of view ^w^

 

I much prefer dolls with a smile. It doesn't have to be ear to ear, just a nice little smile.

I figure, my life is pretty crappy at times. I don't want a doll that'll join in on the frowns or sit there and stare. I want a doll that will smile. It reassures me.

For photographic purposes (which seems to be what most of y'all are commenting about), I can see why a neutral expression is more useful. But I must add that, even though my Kaedes have a perpetual smile, they can appear quite sad when they aren't played with for a day. Even a smile can look like a frown when in the right light and angle.

 

I remember for Hikaru, I thoroughly searched for the right sculpt with a neutral expression--because his character never smiles. He's not the scowlish type either...rather, he has more of the "Hm..." kind of personality.

Still a cutie, though.

 

I love dolls with smiles more than the ones that don't. The first doll I saw with a smile I fell for instantly, and I'm still in love with him even now. He's my dream doll and will be my first!

 

I think there's a certain amount of tasteful subtlety to a slight facial expression. The neutral expression leaves a lot of room for interpretation, given the specific circumstances present when you see a doll.

I also happen to think it gives dolls a more "deep" appearance, as no overriding expression is there to overpower more subtle and ambiguous expressions.

 

I enjoy the neutral/natural look most BJDs have. Face ups can bring a TON of emotion into a doll, especially with the eyebrows.
While I do enjoy seeing the adorable little pukis I'm drawn more to the neutral looks. I guess I've just always enjoyed my dolls that way, not only that but if I had a smiling doll I don't think my boyfriend would come into my room ever again, let alone sleep in it.

 

well i know that elfdoll carried tinies with switchable faces, which i think is cool too. i guess it can be hard for the doll makers because essentially they have to make many extra molds for the seperate faces.

what i love about BJDs is that they have different exppressions depending on what angle you look from. i usually interpret their basic straight foward look as a half smile. i think it works for me, because as i move the position of my girls head she can look thoughtful, sad ect.

personally i try to avoid molds that have to much of anyone expression, but some dolls have very workable smiles.

 

I've owned dolls with fairly decided expressions in either direction. Right now two of mine are slightly smiling, and one is quite neutral. I have one en route that has a fairly neutral expression, too.

I think neutral is best for greatest versatility, as one can tweak it in either direction with paint... but ultimately expression alone doesn't make or break a sculpt for me. I suppose it just goes back to liking the sculpt or not, and it's all a matter of caprice.

Raven

 

I always thought they had more personality without a smile. They could be sad, happy, indifferent-whatever you like. But a smile isn't so versatile.

 

I'm not a fan of the 'smiling' face. I prefer a neutral expression as it allows more character possibilites.

 

Some dolls i dont mind not having a smile because it adds to the subtle gentle innocent feeling. However when i purchase dolls i prefer different facial expressions. It adds to their individuality in my collection n__n

 

I think most dolls DO have a slight smile, especially Luts dolls... I bought my boy (an AOD Chi) because he looked a little sad in his pictures, but when he got here, I opened up his box and was surprised to see a much happier and cuter face grinning up at me! Unless you have a Crobidoll Yeon Ho, or a similar super-pouty doll, I think he/she is smiling.

Plus, look at the versitility in what I thought was a "pouty" doll.

Pissed


Happy

 

My Niamh has a cute little smile! Gotta love Mimi13's.

 

not sure why anyone could stand a smiling doll, personally I find it very annojing and I'm glad BJD have nice soft neutral looks. also, eyebrows can do so much ;D

 

If you see a doll who always smiles(even seen from different angle), you'll get annoyed and wonder if he/she has a personality....This is what I've realized from my first doll...I now strive to custermize him into a serious looking...

 

I think I'll have to agree with the majority here. While I love having a boy that "pouts" and "glares" his little face is still very neutral in comparison to most. I think it’s nice, because that way I, the photographer, can capture all sorts of emotions from him. In art, you'll see that angles play a large part in your emotions.

When a person is up against a wall, and the bar height wallpaper only reaches her chest, you will feel sadder than if it was down near the navel. When you are looking down at something you will feel they are inferior because they are tiny, and small. When you are looking up they are in control and dominant. (That's why pictures of Napoleon and other leaders are always so large and looking down. To express control and power.) I love that about art. You as the holder are the only one who's eyes the audience will see through. You must capture every piece and detail so that your emotions that inspire you will be personified through your piece. I think the same goes for dolls and their neutral expressions. They are your putty, you must sculpt them to be what you want them to be.

 

As so many have said, the angle or pose can change a doll's expression quite a bit. Sometimes simply raising or lowering the head can make all the difference. Eye placement is a big emotion enhancer too. Try setting your doll's eyes sideward glanging & you'll see what I mean.

That said however, I'm very fond of dolls that convey strong emotions. I tend to think of them more as art as the sculpture is more detailed. They remind me of the antique German character children which also weren't big sellers when they were originally released, probably because it was harder for children to project their own different emotions on the doll. I do tend to stay away from smiling dolls & go for sad or angry molds. I've seen too many insipid smiling faces to ever want more. (Except for my Zwergnases who have some crazy wild toothy grins.)

 

I personally like the smiley ones!
Although I do admit a neutral expression gives more room for creativity. Faceup, ambiance and angle in photos create a world of possibilities with a neutral sculpt, whereas options are more limited with those that have a set definite expression.