Drawing Lesson 5, Part 3 – How to Draw a Mouth

How to Draw a Mouth

Video Lesson Description

In this video part, you will discover how to draw a mouth from various points of view and learn necessary human anatomy information for that purpose.

How to Draw a Mouth

When it comes to the subject of how to draw a mouth, you need to know that lips are shaped by broad circular mouth muscles. This muscle is called, orbicularis oris.

The upper lip is a widespread, gently curved arch. Its top contour has a curvature, which looks like much stretched character “M” with rounded angles. It has a groove in the centre with a shallow depression.

Did you know that the groove between a nose and upper lip is formed very early in the human body? It is actually a line of fused tissues formed during the beginning of the embryonic development when the body is forming its inner cavity. This groove is called, philtrum. It is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.

The centre of the groove, which is called, tubercle, is protruding slightly forward like the prow of a ship.

When you consider how to draw a mouth in tree-quarter view, the half of the mouth which is further away from the viewer, will be seen foreshortened.

The lower lip contour looks like an extended and rounded character, “W”. It has two elliptical lobes.

The lower lip looks slightly shorter in length compared to the upper lip.

The upper lip looks more arched, though. Both the upper and lower lips have thin, marginal rims.

In this video part on how to draw a mouth, you will also discover what the mouth barrel is and how it can be helpful in a portrait drawing.

The mouth barrel shape is formed by the two dental arches of the teeth. Of course, you don’t have to literally draw a barrel every time you make a portrait. Just keep this shape in mind to understand how it forms the three-dimensional structure of a mouth.

When drawing a side view of a head, you have to be aware that the lower lip is recessed in relation to the upper lip. It is at about a 30° angle when viewed from the side. The mouth is formed by two arches – Maxillary Arch and Mandibular Arch. The upper lip usually overhangs slightly above the lower lip. The chin’s prominence is protruding forward on the lower part of the jaw.