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How To Draw A Mouth With A Pencil

How to Draw Lips Step past Stride

A hand drawing realistic lips with text: learn how to draw lips step by step tutorial

Acquire to draw lips step by step in this tutorial!
Though the eyes are usually considered to be the most expressive facial feature, I would argue that the lips are a close second. (Maybe even tied for start!)

In this tutorial I demonstrate how to draw lips step by pace, in a realistic and naturalistic style. Though a single tutorial can't possibly embrace this subject thoroughly plenty, I hope that it provides a compelling introduction! Stay tuned for time to come articles that delve deeper into the construction, anatomy, and placement of the lips on the head.

Finally, don't miss the downloadable resources at the bottom of the page, where you'll notice the reference photo for this tutorial that you lot tin draw from, equally well equally an infographic to remind you of the steps.

For related articles on drawing other facial features, check out:

How to Draw Realistic Eyes

The half-dozen Near Common Heart Cartoon Mistakes (and how to avert them!)

How to Draw Ears on Toned Paper



Steps of the realistic lip drawing tutorial Blithe GIF of the tutorial steps





Materials Used in this Tutorial

List of drawing materials used in this lip drawing tutorial


1. Cartoon Board:
This is a sturdy but lightweight cartoon lath fabricated past Helix.

2. Bulldog Clips: For attaching my paper to my cartoon board (fabulously like shooting fish in a barrel to remove for taking tutorial photos!)

3. Kneaded Eraser: I'one thousand using the General's Jumbo Kneaded Eraser. (Picket my video on three useful kneaded eraser techniques for realistic cartoon here.)

4. Drawing Pencils: I am using HB, 2B and 4B Staedtler Mars Lumograph graphite pencils for this drawing.

v. Drawing Paper: I'm drawing on a sheet of Canson Recycled Bristol paper.



The Basic Construction of the Lips

Though I'll comprehend the anatomy of the lips in depth in a future lesson, I want to point out the basic structure and features that are important in this particular drawing scenario.

Drawings showing the basic structure and parts of the lips


The upper lip consists of three major forms: the fundamental portion (the eye-shaped tubercle) pictured at 2, and the 2 sides that slope downwards from the tubercle (1 and 3 in the image above).

Above the tubercle and but below the nose is a groove called the philtrum (half-dozen).

The lower lip has two bulbous, pillowy forms, indicated at 4 and 5. Enveloping them is a ridge around the bottom of the lip, that reaches from i corner of the oral fissure to the other.

At each corner of the oral cavity is a node, or mediolus (pictured at seven and eight). Several muscles attach in this area, creating a fleshy protrusion that is subtly peanut-shaped.

Betwixt the lower lip and the chin is a furrow called the mentolabial sulcus (pictured at 9). Observe the angle change here: at that place is a 'step down' from the plane of the lower lip to the aeroplane of this furrow. Considering of this aeroplane modify, this furrow is oftentimes in shadow (though information technology really depends on the lighting).

How prominent these features are depends on the person (each prepare of lips is unique), how the lips are lit (different lighting tin accentuate or diminish sure features), and the position of the head. For example, in the image higher up, find that as soon as the head turns from a front view (Figure A) to a three-quarter view (Figure B), we see the forms of the lips start to overlap and change shape.

Free Video Course on Essential Drawing Concepts
Throughout this lesson I refer to essential cartoon concepts and stages of the cartoon process. Learn most them in my complimentary video course to become the nigh out of this tutorial!






How to Draw Lips Footstep past Step

Stride 1: Establishing Proportions and Angles

Starting the lip drawing by establishing major proportions and angles


I start by establishing the basic proportions and angles of the lips.

I'm using the "guess and check method", meaning that I guess a proportion and then cheque how accurate I was through some sort of measurement (some of which I mention below). This is a great style to train your eye so that you can eventually rely more on it rather than having to constantly measure.

What was I paying attention to here, and how did I bank check these proportions and angles? Allow'southward take a look:

Photo of a womans lips indicating the subtle perspective for drawing


one) The Subtle Perspective of the Lips

Notice the subtle perspective of the lips. If I were to continue extending lines A, B and C to the left, they would somewhen converge at a single signal.

To run into the difference in the angles more clearly, compare them to a line that you lot know is horizontal - in this instance, the top or bottom of the motion picture.

When I compare Line A to the acme edge of the movie, information technology becomes clear that Line A is tilted downwards and to the left.

Next, if I extend my pencil, hold information technology up to Line A, and compare it to Line B, I notice that Line B is at less of an bending. To guess the angle of Line C, I tin can either compare information technology to Line B or to the lesser edge of the picture, which I know is horizontal.

When drawing from life, you can use a similar technique to evaluate angles: extend your arm holding your pencil, line it up with a horizontal line close to your subject field, so, doing your best to proceed your arm and pencil horizontal, bring it downwards to the angle you lot want to evaluate. Look to encounter the departure between the horizontal line of the pencil and the angle you wish to draw.

Photo of a womans lips with overlay demonstrating how to use comparative measurement to determine and draw the height of the lips


2) The Height of the Lips

Height A = Summit B. The height of the upper lip (when measured from the lesser of the philtrum to the bottom of the tubercle) is equal to the height of the lower lip (when measured to the top of the shadow, or mentolabial sulcus).

Photo of a womans lips with lines showing how to use comparative measurement to determine the height and width of the lips for realistic drawing


iii) Tiptop vs. Width of the Lips

The width of the lips is double their peak (when the height is measured from the bottom of the philtrum to the peak of the mentolabial sulcus).

Did I know that these proportions would work out so conveniently? Not at all! I await for proportions that work out nicely, then that I take an like shooting fish in a barrel time indicating them accurately on my cartoon.

When using this method of measurement, it's important to think the specific points from which y'all measure. For instance, notice that I specify when I measure out from the lesser of the philtrum, because if I were to measure from the highest point of the lip, information technology would skew my measurements.



How to Draw Lips Step by Step

Step ii: 'Sculpting' the Lips using Direct Lines

Blocking in the line drawing of the lips using straight lines


Next, I started drawing the left side of the lips using straight lines.

I often recall of drawing as 'sculpting with a pencil': Every bit you draw each line, imagine that you're tracing it over the book of the course. How steep is the form? How quickly or slowly does each angle plow?

I'thou looking for the most evident bending changes at this stage. Each time I add together an angle change, information technology results in a 'betoken'. As I add these 'points', I check their alignment using an axis line.

Checking the alignment of the lips using a vertical axis line


Example one: If I drib a vertical axis line at Point A, where in relation to it is Point B?

Looking at the left image, I thought that Point B looked like information technology was further to the left. However, it'southward really in line with Signal A.

'Dropping a vertical line' can be done using a plumb line (a weighted string), a knitting needle, or only your pencil.

Checking the alignment of the lips using a vertical axis line


Instance two: I employ the same procedure to cheque the relationships between this gear up of points. When I line upwards my pencil with Point A, I notice that it is slightly to the left of Point B.

I can at present check if the distance between Points A and B is the same on my drawing, and modify information technology if needed.


How to Depict Lips Step by Step
Step 3: Drawing Overlapping Lines


Overlapping lines are an essential part of a convincing cake-in. They start creating depth and dimension in your drawing before you even add tone, by showing what form is in forepart of another grade. Picket Lesson 4 of my free mini-class to acquire about this essential drawing concept.

Creating depth and dimension in the lips by drawing overlapping lines How to describe lips stride by step: overlapping lines to pay attention to


A few of the essential overlaps I've pointed out in the image to a higher place:

  1. The tubercle is in front end of the (model's) right side of the lip.
  2. An overlap occurs betwixt the left (our left) pillowy course of the lower lip and a portion of the ridge of the lower lip that is slightly visible backside it. Important annotation: the line between these two forms is a soft edge! I'll discuss edges later in the tutorial.
  3. In area iii, the peaks of the lip are closest to us. Backside it is the ridge along the upper lip, and behind that is the philtrum.

Line drawing of the lips with overlapping lines

Notice that I don't describe whatever abrupt, nighttime lines where there are soft edges. (For example, the overlap in the lower lip, and the bottom edge of the lower lip, which ends in a soft value transition.) If y'all don't see a sharp line, don't draw i! Y'all will only add work for yourself, since yous will accept to soften the line subsequently, once you kickoff calculation values to your drawing.


How to Draw Lips Stride by Stride
Pace 4: Adding Shadow Shapes

Drawing the simplified shadow shapes of the lips How to draw lips step past step: simplified shadow shapes

To stop a block-in, I similar to indicate the shadow shapes of my subject. Notice the simplified way that I'm viewing and drawing in the shadow shapes at this point. I'm looking for and drawing the major angle changes in the shadow shapes, just as I have been cartoon the rest of the block-in.

Indicating shadow shapes in the line drawing of the lips


Can these shadow shapes be drawn more than specifically? Absolutely, but I'll do then once I get to the
value stage, since some of the initial line drawing often becomes obscured once you starting time adding tone.



How to Draw Lips Stride by Step

Step 5: Starting to Add together Values

Starting to add values to the lip drawing


I begin calculation values to my drawing past filling in the darkest, well-nigh obvious shadow shapes. I'k using light values then that I tin can check the accuracy of the shadows shapes before committing to them (it's oft easier to decide how accurately yous drew a shadow shape one time it'southward filled in with a flat value).

Because the values in these lips are quite subtle, I'chiliad going to build them upwards in layers. This gives me more time to adjust proportions and value relationships, and gain confidence in my drawing before adding any dark accents that may be difficult to erase.


How to Draw Lips Step by Stride
Footstep vi: Building up the Values

Building up the values in the lips


I keep building up and slowly darkening the values in the lips. I'm noticing and starting to found some of the gradations in the upper lip and at the corners of the oral fissure.



How to Draw Lips Step by Step

Step seven: Analyzing the Value Range

Analyzing the value range of the lips How to describe lips step past step: analyzing the value range of the subject


Find that the value range in the lips is not a full value range (then, not Values one through 9 on the value calibration)!

The lightest value in the lips is betwixt a Value three and 4 on the value calibration. How can you determine what value the highlight is? Though I fabricated it easy to run into what value the color of the lip is in the highlight surface area through the magic of Photoshop, y'all could just as hands squint at the subject and notice how much darker the highlight is than the white background of this webpage.

The darkest value in the lips isn't quite at value 9 (the darkest possible value) either. It'southward aaaalmost there, but I would however call information technology somewhere between Values viii and 9.

The value range of a subject is important to decide because it gives me the clarity to cover upwards the white of the paper speedily. Furthermore, there are many subtle middle values in the lips. Drawing in the correct 'value extremes', or lightest and darkest values, volition give me ii singled-out benchmarks to compare the balance of my values to.

Drawing the value extremes in the lips


At present that I know that the lightest value is betwixt a Value 3 and four, I could technically darken my entire drawing to a value three/iv. I didn't go quite that far in this footstep. I want to maintain the correct value relationships between all the values in the lips, and because I know that my shadow shapes need further concealment, I prefer to gradually build up the entire drawing as a whole so that it looks cohesive.

Nonetheless, I did darken the lower lip, drawing in a few gradations and leaving only the full general highlight areas equally the white of the newspaper (since I'm not yet confident in their exact locations).


How to Draw Lips Pace by Step
Pace 8: Drawing the Value Extremes

Every bit I build up the values, I've been keeping the drawing very 'open up' - malleable and easy to change - by keeping the edges fairly soft and not adding any of the darkest accents notwithstanding. When dark accents are very obvious and easy to locate, I similar to start with them and draw them as presently as possible. However, when they are more subtle, as they are hither, I prefer to build up to them.

Analyzing the lightest and darkest values in the lips to draw them accurately How to depict lips step by step: the lightest and darkest values in the subject

Notice that the lightest values in this subject are constitute in the ridge of the upper lip, the highlights in the lower lip, and the ridge of the lower lip (see the image below).

The darkest values in this subject are found where the upper and lower lips run across. Notwithstanding, the upper and lower lips don't meet in a simple, dark line. Notice that in that location are areas where it is darkest (as shown higher up), and areas where it lightens slightly. These differences are important to find and point in our drawings for them to 'read' equally realistic and naturalistic.

Both the upper and lower lip have a ridge that often catches light

Find that the top planes of both ridges (at 1 and iv) are catching light, while the forepart planes of both ridges (that are facing us at 2 and iii) are in shadow.

Drawing a more defined line where the lips meet


Hither I have more specifically drawn the line where the lips meet. I'k paying shut attention to its angle changes, value and edge shifts. I accept also started defining the ridges of the upper and lower lip.


How to Draw Lips Step by Step
Step 9: Analyzing Edges

The sharpest and softest edges in the lip reference photo of our drawing How to draw lips step by step: the sharpest and softest edges


Find that the lips consist mostly of various degrees of soft edges, which makes this a trickier drawing scenario. (Unfamiliar with the concept of edges? Spotter Lesson 6 of my gratis mini-course!)

Fortunately, we can make out the sharpest edge quite clearly: it'south along the left side of the line where the lips meet (upper left epitome). Examination it yourself! Squint at the prototype and check to see which edge remains the sharpest.

The side by side sharpest edge after that is perhaps the right corner of the mouth, or the overlapping line that separates the ridge of the upper lip from the philtrum (it's light, but it's fairly sharp!)

And the softest edges are ... essentially everywhere else!

Pointing out the variety of edge qualities in the lip reference photo for drawing


I want to point out the differences in edge quality in the line where the lips meet. This is not a simple, solid line with a single edge quality! If we travel along this line from left to right, it first begins with what nosotros've identified as the sharpest border. The edge softens as it approaches the tubercle. The line is and then interrupted by the tubercle slightly overlapping the lower lip.

Detect that this line actually has two edges! This is almost visible at the correct corner of the mouth: do you see that the line at the corner of the mouth has a slightly softer top edge, and slightly sharper lesser edge?

Drawing realistic lips by creating a variety of edge qualities


Here I accept clarified the sharpest edge, and am working on creating a diverse range of softer edges throughout my drawing. I've besides started creating more subtle 'patches' of value forth the upper lip, which is starting to create a more convincing 'lip texture'. All texture is simply a specific design of values and edges. If you can acquire to observe information technology closely, y'all will be able to draw it.


How to Draw Lips Step by Footstep
Stride 10: Adding Smaller Details

Draw lips step by step: adding smaller details


At this point I'm finding some of the minute details, such as the subtle lip lines, or lip wrinkles, particularly in the lower lip. Notice that these follow the course of the lip, similar cross-contour lines. This makes them important to draw correctly, or else they may start to flatten the course.

How much detail you include in your drawing is completely up to you. From life, you probably wouldn't see more detail than this (of course, depending how shut y'all were sitting to your model). From a photograph, y'all could include tremendously more than particular than this. Information technology comes down to personal preference, and to how you approach your drawing.

Usually, fifty-fifty when I draw from a photograph reference, I go about it as though I'm drawing from life in the sense that my drawing process is the same, and I draw approximately as much particular equally I would draw from life.

Personally, hyperrealism doesn't appeal to me. Ideally, I prefer to create a 'naturalistic' looking drawing that lies in a kind of liminal state: appearing photographic at first glance or in a few areas, and revealing its truthful nature in others. (Does that e'er work? Not at all! But it'south something I aspire to.) Notwithstanding, once more - this is completely a thing of personal preference!

If you're struggling to figure out how much particular to include, try squinting at your reference photograph (or your bailiwick when drawing from life!). Notice how much item is lost when you do so: this shows you how much detail you lot tin go out out, notwithstanding still achieve a realistic drawing.



How to Describe Lips Step by Step

Step 11: The Finished Drawing

Finished drawing from the how to draw lips step by step tutorial from The Drawing Source.


And here is the finished drawing!

The process of drawing the lip lines was irksome and methodical. I used the axis-line method of measurement (from the showtime of the tutorial), checking to run across what other element each wrinkle was in line with. Practice they have to be exact? Not at all, and I'm sure that they aren't.

What'due south of import to the realism of the cartoon is that they take enough variation to look natural! Notice how different each one is in spacing, value, bending, and border. If I had drawn them all similarly-spaced, at the same angle, and the same sharpness, my drawing would take speedily started to wait generic and less convincingly conceivable.


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to draw lips step by step!

What side by side?

Why not download the reference photo for this lesson, likewise as an infographic to remind y'all of the steps, and exercise drawing lips yourself! Find both downloadables beneath.


Happy Drawing!
Your drawing prof,




Realistic lip drawing tutorial by Marina Fridman of The Drawing Source Realistic lip drawings by Marina Fridman






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Learn how to draw realistic lips step by step in this detailed tutorial from The Drawing Source.






If you enjoyed this page on how to describe lips step past step, yous may also be interested in:


Related Pages

How to Draw Realistic Eyes

How to Draw Eyebrows

How to Draw an Ear on Toned Paper

Portrait Drawing Tutorial



Render to Portrait Drawing from How to Draw Lips Pace by Footstep

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