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Instructions on Pencil Portrait Sketching – Muscular Forms That Form the Smile

January 26th, 2009

A smile is the consequence of happiness. It lifts and extends the lower face and the raised cheeks will often crease the flesh just below the eyes resulting in 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 important muscles that add to a smile:

* The Zygomaticus Major – is the major “muscle of happiness”. This stretched out muscle begins at the frontal area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the corner.

When the zygomaticus major contracts it bulges and raises the cheek while further deepening the Nasolabial Furrow or smile-line.

* The Malaris – rests on top of the zygomaticus major and is a long, ribbon-like deep-seated muscle. It begins at the temple and attaches to and forms the bottom part of the nasolabial furrow.

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

* The Buccinator – quadrilateral muscle forms the “cheek cushion”. It begins on the back, inside of the jaw and attaches to the “nodes” of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator contracts thus pulling at the nodes 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 to some extent.

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 the face. Other people have a large, extensive triangular shaped one.

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

The risorius delicately heaves the corner backwards and up. Its effect is mainly observed 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 region and also insert into the corner.

When fully shrunk, 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 to some extent restricted.

But, the higher part of this muscle adds to the volume of the cheek and the nasolabial furrow.

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

During a smile the bottom eyelids are also pressed upwards. 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 drawn and pressed upwards and outward. It is best to play down the sharp fold of the nasolabial furrow otherwise the smile will degenerate into a scowl.

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

The interstice of the mouth curves upwards, broadening and flattening the lips while reducing the philtrum. The nostrils of the nose also extend as they are drawn 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 creates wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

The parts of this muscle are the furrow portion which attaches to the upper part of the nasolabial furrow; the alar portion which attaches 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 sketching the nasolabial furrow 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 accurate path for comprehending the anatomy of the smile.

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Remi Engels is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter and practiced drawing teacher. See his work at graphite pencil portraits.

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