Tips on Pencil Portrait Drawing - Muscles That Make the Smile

A smile is the consequence of happiness. It lifts and extends the bottom of the 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 main "muscle of happiness". This extended muscle initiates at the frontal area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and inserts into the node.

When the zygomaticus major shrinks 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 initiates at the temple and inserts into and forms the bottom part of the smile-line.

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

* The Buccinator - quadrilateral muscle forms the "cheek cushion". It initiates on the back, inside of the jaw and inserts into the "nodes" of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator shrinks thus heaving at the nodes and extend the mouth.

As the mouth is extended and drawn by both the zygomaticus major and buccinator the lips are stretched and flattened. So is the chin. The philtrum is reduced 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 each person 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 initiates in the tissue of the Masseter (whose action is utilized largely for chewing) and inserts into the node of the mouth.

The risorius delicately heaves the node backwards and up. Its effect is mainly seen in gentle smiles.

2. Incisivus Labii Superioris and Inferioris Superioris - The superioris does the heaving. These narrow, band-like muscles initiate just above the incisor tooth region 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 to some extent limited.

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

Over the three important muscles goes the most intricate 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 upward. 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 upward and outwards. It is best to understate the sharp fold of the smile-line otherwise the smile will degenerate into a scowl.

As the node of the mouth is drawn out and upward the flesh is gathered into subtle vertical ridges.

The interstice of the mouth curves upward, broadening 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 called the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that creates wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

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

When drawing the smile-line be careful not to over-do it. A subtle 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 significant muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the accurate path for comprehend
ing the anatomy of the smile.

Article Source: http://www.freetextarticles.com

Download my brand new Free 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 practiced sketching 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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