Guidelines for Pencil Portrait Sketching – Muscular Forms That Build the Smile
A smile is the result of happiness. It lifts and extends the bottom of the face and the raised cheeks will often crease the skin just below the eyes creating 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 significant muscles that contribute to a smile:
* The Zygomaticus Major – is the major “muscle of happiness”. This elongated muscle originates 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 – lies on top of the zygomaticus major and is a long, ribbon-like deep-seated muscle. It originates at the temple and attaches to and forms the lower half of the smile-line.
The malaris is the cheek muscle. It draws 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 originates 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 heaved 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 a bit.
Below are still other minor muscles that contribute to the smile:
1. The Risorius – is a curious muscle because not everybody has one. Some people only have a risorius on one side of their face. Others have a large, expansive triangular shaped one.
The Risorius originates in the fatty tissue of the Masseter (whose action is utilized mainly for chewing) and attaches to the node of the mouth.
The risorius subtly pulls 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 originate just above the incisor tooth region and also attach to the node.
When fully contracted, 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 a bit limited.
However, the higher part of this muscle contributes to the volume of the cheek and the smile-line.
Over the 3 significant 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 lower eyelids are also pressed upward. This is a consequence of a secondary action where the Orbicularis Oculi (the muscle of the eye socket) contracts.
The smile-line is deepened as it is simultaneously heaved and pressed upward and outwards. It is best to understate the sharp fold of the smile-line otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a grimace.
As the node of the mouth is heaved out and upward the skin 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 top portion of the smile-line is produced by a slender, 3-part muscle named the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that formes wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.
The parts of this muscle are the furrow section which attaches to the top part of the smile-line; the alar section which attaches under and behind the wing of the nose (Alae Nasi); and the lip section which attaches continuously into the ridge just above the top lip and to the philtrum.
When rendering 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 detailed and discussed the most significant muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the accurate path for recognizing the anatomy of the smile.
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Remi Engels is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter and skilled drawing teacher. See his work at graphite pencil portraits.
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