Draw A Mouth

This is how I begin to draw a mouth.

1. Loosely sketch the mouth line
2. Sketch the large shapes
3. Break the large shapes into smaller shapes
4. Map out the shadow shapes
5. Shade the shadow shapes
6. Blend and refine
7. Add the details

Loosely Sketch The Mouth Line

Start by loosely drawing the mouth line and the outer bounds of the face shape to help with placement and size.

Sketch The Large Shapes

Next, sketch the large shapes that form the mouth, such as the upper lip, lower lip, and outer corners, focusing on copying the angles and shapes as closely as possible.

Break The Large Shapes Into Smaller Shapes

Break down the large shapes into smaller sections, paying attention to the smaller shapes, lights, and shadows, as well as the height and width of both lips.

Map Out The Shadow Shapes

Outline the shadow shapes lightly and draw them exactly as you see them to capture a likeness.

Shade The Shadow Shapes

Slowly shade the shadow shapes by matching the values to what you see and avoid over-blending which can make the drawing look flat. Remember that lips do not have a distinct outline.

Blend And Refine

Blend and refine the shadows carefully, and consider lifting out lights with a kneaded eraser. Soften the mid-tones where light meets dark.

Add The Details

Finally, add details such as highlights and necessary sharp lines to complete the drawing of the lips. You can draw a mouth as loosely or as refined as you like.

Author: Sonia Reeder-Jones