1. Find key characteristics.
βWhat you are looking for is a particular lookβaround your eyes or an expressionβyouβll often keep that throughout life.Β Thatβs something I want to emphasize,β Murry says.Β Photos of family members can show how someone with similar features or expressions will age.
2. Understand facial growth.
There are two types of facial age progression, Murry says:Β growth or aging.Β βAs a child, the top half of the face stays the same; the bottom gets larger.Β When youβre aging, the face doesnβt get larger, but the muscles sag and you get wrinkles.β
3. Use photos.
Find series of photos of people as they age.Β Murry recommends Forensic Art and Illustration by Karen Taylor, which discusses physical changes in photo series.Β Murry has used photos of her own family and people in the public eye as reference in the aging process.
4. Know anatomy.
βLearning the bones and muscles of the face are key,β Murry believes.Β She recommends medical illustration classes and texts.Β βThe muscles let you know how you age.Β Wrinkles form different directions because of what muscles are doing underneath the skin.β
5. Acknowledge lifestyle.
βItβs important to know lifestyle,β Murry says.Β βIf they live on the streets, theyβre going to age a lot harsher than somebody who gets massages and facials.β
Murry used photos of a child and her parents to create convincing age progression drawings.Β βI was told the parents asked for the drawings after the trial was over.Β I canβt say exactly what she would have looked like, but itβs my interpretation.β
