Drawing the perfect, timelessly happy smiling mouth can be tricky. But with the right guidance, you can quickly master it and have a smiling, cheerful mouth radiating joy on your canvas. And don’t worry—perfection isn’t necessary! A few simple techniques can get you a long way towards an end result you’ll be proud of.
Step 1: Break Down the Proportions
Before you even put your pencil to the paper, take some time to consider the proportions of the smiling mouth. How much longer should it be than the width? How should the corners be curved or sharp? How wide should the lips be?
Visualize the dimensions of the mouth you want, and draw them out with a light pencil line. Flexibility is key here: take your time, and don’t be afraid to draw and erase lines until you’re satisfied with the way it looks.
Step 2: Outline the Outer Lip​
Once you have a rough outline of the mouth, it’s time to bolster it with a few more details. Outlining the outer lip structure is a great way to add structure without overwhelming the grin.
Start from the corners and work your way outwards, beveling the line as you go. And remember to keep the top line a bit flatter and more jagged than the bottom line, giving the mouth depth and realism.
Step 3: Get the Lower Lip Going
Next, draw the lower lip in a slight “u” shape, making sure that it’s a bit thicker than the top lip. And don’t be afraid of adding a bit of extra heft to the middle of the lower lip, too—it gives it a more natural, full look, and helps to outline the smile.
From there, you can use the eraser to adjust the overall size of the lip until you’re satisfied. You can even use finer details like a few pencil strokes to outline the lip and make it stand out.
Step 4: It’s All About the Teeth
Drawing a few dental details completes the mouth. Use a light line for the top row of teeth, and leave plenty of space between each tooth. And for the bottom row, make sure the teeth are just slightly overlapping, as if the lips are slightly open.
Finally, add that essential sparkle! Some simple little lines reflect the light and give the teeth life and luster. Then, use the eraser to eradicate any smudges. And you’re done – with a few simple steps, your masterpiece is ready for the world with its bright and warm grin!
Step 5: Fine-Tune Those Details
Having the right details is great, but it’s important that they’re done well. Luckily, fine-tuning your work isn’t too hard. To give your mouth a lifelike touch, deep lines and creases are the way to go.
Focus on the corners of the mouth, contouring them in a smooth but sharp curve, and exaggerating their wrinkles. And one or two tiny lines can be added in the very center to make all the difference.
Step 6: Boosting Your Coloring
Adding color to your mouth is essential to get the happiest smile you can, and the great thing is, it’s really easy! Start with the darker colors, like a deep red for the lips, and a slightly brighter hue for the teeth.
From here, it’s a matter of developing the details and adding depth. Using a slightly paler hue, add shadows in the inner corners and other creases. And to bring the smile to life, apply some brighter shadows—especially in and around the teeth. A few subtle streaks of light can finish it off and help the mouth look warmer and more inviting.
Step 7: Finally, Enhance the Expression
Is the smile too broad? Too tight? Is it radiating the emotion you’re looking for? Fidgeting with the details and angles of the mouth is the most important part if you want to adjust the character’s expression.
Draw out the the corners of the mouth slightly. Focus on the parts of the lips that give the smile an added intensity. And lastly, tweak the details with an eye for emotion. Once you’re satisfied, you have a perfect, timelessly cheerful, realistic masterpiece on your hands.
