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Advice on Pencil Portrait Sketching – Muscular Forms That Build the Smile
January 27th, 2009
A smile is the consequence of happiness. It lifts and extends the lower face and the uplifted cheeks will often crease the flesh just below the eyes resulting in the so-called “crow’s feet”.
To recognize the makings of a smile in its numerous manifestations we must first recognize the underlying anatomy.
Below we list the 3 major muscles that add to a smile:
* The Zygomaticus Major – is the main “muscle of happiness”. This elongated muscle begins at the front area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the node.
When the zygomaticus major contracts it bulges and lifts the cheek while further deepening the Nasolabial Furrow or smile-line.
* The Malaris – rests on top of the zygomaticus major and is a extended, ribbon-like deep-seated muscle. It begins at the temple and attaches to and forms the lower half of the nasolabial furrow.
The malaris is the cheek muscle. It heaves up the cheek in an outwards and backwards direction making it swell and giving it the puffy cheek look.
* The Buccinator – quadrilateral muscle forms the “cheek pad”. It begins on the rear, inside of the jaw and attaches to the “corners” of the mouth.
When smiling the buccinator contracts thus heaving at the corners and extend the mouth.
As the mouth is extended and heaved by both the zygomaticus major and buccinator the lips are stretched and flattened. So is the chin. The philtrum is shortened and the nostrils flare somewhat.
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 begins in the fatty tissue of the Masseter (whose action is made use of mainly for chewing) and attaches to the node of the mouth.
The risorius subtly heaves 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 begin just above the incisor tooth area 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 somewhat restricted.
But, the upper part of this muscle adds to the volume of the cheek and the nasolabial furrow.
Over the 3 major 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 lower eyelids are also pressed upward. This is the result of a secondary action where the Orbicularis Oculi (the muscle of the eye socket) contracts.
The nasolabial furrow is deepened as it is simultaneously heaved and pressed upward and outwards. It is best to understate the sharp fold of the nasolabial furrow otherwise the smile will degenerate into a scowl.
As the node of the mouth is heaved out and upward the flesh is gathered into delicate vertical ridges.
The interstice of the mouth curves upward, stretching and flattening the lips while reducing the philtrum. The nostrils of the nose also extend as they are heaved 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 produces wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.
The parts of this muscle are the furrow section which attaches to the upper part of the nasolabial furrow; the alar section which inserts under and behind the wing of the nose (Alae Nasi); and the lip section which inserts continuously into the ridge just above the upper lip and to the philtrum.
When rendering the nasolabial furrow be careful not to over-do it. A subtle suggestion is all that is needed. Otherwise your lovely smile will quickly degenerate into a scowl.
With this we have detailed and discussed the most essential muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the right path for appreciating the anatomy of the smile.
Do you want to learn the secrets of pencil portrait sketching? Download my brand new free pencil portrait drawing tutorial here: portrait drawing course.
Remi Engels is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter and practiced sketching teacher. See his work at graphite pencil portraits.
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