Guidelines for Pencil Portrait Sketching - Muscles That Build 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 flesh just below the eyes creating the so-called "crow’s feet".

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

Below we list the three essential muscles that add to a smile:

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

When the zygomaticus major shrinks it bulges and raises the cheek while further deepening 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 lower part of the smile-line.

The malaris is the cheek muscle. It pulls up the cheek in an outward and backwards bearing making it bulge 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 drawing 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 shortened and the nostrils flare a bit.

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

1. The Risorius - is a strange muscle because not everyone has one. Some people only have a risorius on one side of their face. Other people have a large, expansive triangular shaped one.

The Risorius initiates in the tissue of the Masseter (whose action is made use of mainly for chewing) and attaches to the node of the mouth.

The risorius subtly draws the node backwards and up. Its effect is mainly 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 shrunk, 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.

But, the upper part of this muscle adds to the volume of the cheek and the smile-line.

Over the three essential muscles goes the most complicated of all the facial muscles, the Orbicularis Oris which operates throughout a large range of actions and expressions.

During a smile the lower eyelids are also pushed upwards. This is a consequence of a secondary action where the Orbicularis Oculi (the muscle of the eye socket) shrinks.

The smile-line is deepened as it is simultaneously drawn and pushed upwards and outward. It is best to play down the sharp fold of the smile-line otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a grimace.

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

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

The higher portion of the smile-line is formed 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 smile-line; the alar part which inserts under and behind the wing of the nose (Alae Nasi); and the lip part which inserts continuously into the ridge just above the upper lip and to the philtrum.

When rendering the smile-line 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 itemized and discussed the most important muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the right path for comprehend
ing the anatomy of the smile.

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Download my brand new No Cost Pencil Portrait Sketching Tutorial here: www.remipencilportraits.com/PPDT/pencil-portrait-tutorial.html target="_blank">Pencil Portrait Sketching Tutorial. Remi Engels is a practicing pencil portrait artist and oil painter and expert sketching 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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