...it can also be because a lot of (other) people just don't bother with emotions. I've run into a problem with open mouths; the internal textures look so fake that I wind up retexturing them to dark colors (except for the teeth).

2nd Skins, special textures, etc., tend to help give some realism. You can do a lot of tweaking to get some expression out of the face. Here's a couple I use.

1. For medium and long-distance shots; I select each eyeball, and set Object, Point at, Main Camera. This gives you the famous 'eyes following you around the room', and establishes a connection, at least.

2. Dialate the eyes slightly (it expresses interest; it's why all the merchants in the market wear sunglasses, to avoid giving themselves away on prices). .2 or .3 is plenty.

3. Three! I meant three! A fanatical devotion to...;) Just tweaking dails, but sometimes favoring one side of the face to avoid the 'machanical symmetry'...I tend to raise one eyebrow, let one eyelid be lower than the other, etc.

Hope that helps.

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)