Procedures for Pencil Portrait Sketching - Muscular Forms That Build the Smile

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

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

Below we list the 3 critical muscles that add to a smile:

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

When the zygomaticus major shrinks it bulges and raises 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 originates at the temple and attaches to and forms the bottom part of the smile-line.

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

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

When smiling the buccinator shrinks thus pulling at the corners and extend the mouth.

As the mouth is extended 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. Others have a large, extensive triangular shaped one.

The Risorius originates in the fatty tissue of the Masseter (whose action is used mainly for chewing) and attaches to the corner of the mouth.

The risorius subtly pulls the corner 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 originate just above the incisor tooth area and also attach to the corner.

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

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

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

Over the 3 critical muscles goes the most complicated 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 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 pressed upwards and outwards. It is best to play down the sharp fold of the smile-line otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a scowl.

As the corner of the mouth is drawn out and upwards the skin is gathered into subtle vertical ridges.

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

The upper portion of the smile-line is formed by a slender, 3-part muscle named the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that formes wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

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

When drawing 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 scowl.

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 appreciat
ing the anatomy of the smile.

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Download my brand new No Cost 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 artist and oil painter and skilled drawing teacher. 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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