Procedures for Pencil Portrait Drawing - Muscular Forms That Form the Smile

A smile is the result of happiness. It lifts and broadens the bottom of the face and the uplifted cheeks will often crease the skin just below the eyes resulting in the so-called "crow’s feet".

To grasp the makings of a smile in its numerous manifestations we must first grasp the underlying anatomy.

Below we list the three significant muscles that contribute to a smile:

* The Zygomaticus Major - is the main "muscle of happiness". This extended muscle initiates at the frontal area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the node.

When the zygomaticus major shrinks it bulges and lifts the cheek while further extending the Nasolabial Furrow or smile-line.

* The Malaris - lies on top of the zygomaticus major and is a extended, ribbon-like deep-seated muscle. It initiates at the temple and attaches to and forms the bottom part of the nasolabial furrow.

The malaris is the cheek muscle. It draws up the cheek in an outwards and backwards bearing making it swell and giving it the puffy cheek look.

* The Buccinator - quadrilateral muscle forms the "cheek pad". It initiates on the back, inside of the jaw and attaches to the "nodes" of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator shrinks thus heaving at the nodes and broaden the mouth.

As the mouth is broadened and drawn by both the zygomaticus major and buccinator the lips are extended and flattened. So is the chin. The philtrum is reduced and the nostrils flare a bit.

Below are still other minor muscles that contribute to the smile:

1. The Risorius - is a curious muscle because not everyone has one. Some people only have a risorius on one side of the face. Others have a large, extensive triangular shaped one.

The Risorius initiates in the fatty tissue of the Masseter (whose action is employed largely for chewing) and attaches to the node of the mouth.

The risorius subtly draws the node backwards and up. Its effect is generally noticed in gentle smiles.

2. Incisivus Labii Superioris and Inferioris Superioris - The superioris does the lifting. These thing, band-like muscles initiate just above the incisor tooth region and also insert into the node.

When fully contracted, a puckering up of the lips (a kiss) is produced.

3. The Levator Labii Superioris is a narrow, quadrilateral muscle whose effect on the smile is a bit limited.

However, the upper part of this muscle contributes to the volume of the cheek and the nasolabial furrow.

Over the three significant muscles goes the most complex of all the facial muscles, the Orbicularis Oris which operates throughout a large range of movements and expressions.

During a smile the bottom eyelids are also pressed upwards. This is the result of a secondary action where the Orbicularis Oculi (the muscle of the eye socket) shrinks.

The nasolabial furrow is deepened as it is simultaneously drawn and pressed upwards and outwards. It is best to play down the sharp fold of the nasolabial furrow otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a scowl.

As the node of the mouth is drawn out and upwards the skin is gathered into delicate vertical ridges.

The interstice of the mouth curves upwards, broadening and flattening the lips while shortening the philtrum. The nostrils of the nose also broaden as they are drawn outwards.

The upper portion of the nasolabial furrow is produced by a slender, three-part muscle called the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that creates wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

The elements of this muscle are the furrow part which attaches to the upper part of the nasolabial furrow; the alar part which inserts under and behind the wing of the nose (Alae Nasi); and the lip part which attaches continuously into the ridge just above the upper lip and to the philtrum.

When sketching the nasolabial furrow be careful not to over-do it. A delicate suggestion is all that is needed. Otherwise your lovely smile will quickly degenerate into a sneer.

With this we have enumerated and discussed the most relevant muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the right path for recogniz
ing the anatomy of the smile.

Download my brand new Complementary Pencil Portrait Sketching Course here: www.remipencilportraits.com/PPDT/pencil-portrait-tutorial.html target="_blank">Pencil Portrait Sketching Course. Remi Engels is a practicing pencil portrait draftsman and oil painter and practiced drawing instructor. See his work at Pencil Portraits by Remi: www.remipencilportraits.com Visit Information on Pencil Portrait Sketching - Muscular Forms That Build the Smile.

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