1. Sketch it out
Creating the perfect set of lips doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Start by drawing a simple outline; keep it loose, yet precise. The outlines should give the overall shape of the lips rather than focusing on individual details, such as the corners and the cupid’s bow. Stay away from using too many lines, as this will make your pencil sketch look cluttered and confused. Add some simple curves and angles to the outline to give your lips a more realistic look, and then build up the details by adding more shading and depth to the outline.
2. Get into the groove of it
When shading your lips, think about the grooves and ridges that occur when you look at your own. Think of the texture of your lips and the lips of others, and try to translate it onto paper. Dark and light tones should be blended together, as this should create a sense of depth and realism. Lean on the subtle contrast of light and dark to create an illusion of shadow on your lips. The cupid’s bow and corners should be emphasized with light white lines to create a contrast in your drawing.
3. Mom’s always right
When drawing thin and full lips, always remember to stay focused on the lips, not the mouth. The mouth should be used as a framing tool to give your lips a sense of size. It’s important to pay attention to the size of the mouth rather than the actual shape of the mouth. A larger mouth frame will give the illusion of thin lips.
4. Put your own spin on it
To add a personal touch to your lips drawing, use shadows and lines to exaggerate the outline. With each line, you should strive to create something unique. Use thicker or thinner lines to make it extra effective, breaking away from the classical standards of proportion and silhouette. You can also use this technique to make your lips look fuller or thinner, depending on the look you’re going for.
5. Keep the lips moist
Finally, when drawing thin lips, make sure to include some moisture. Lips of this type are usually a bit dryer than others, since most of the moisture gathers around the corners and cupid’s bow. To represent this on paper, sprinkle a few drops of water onto your pencil and smudge tiny dots onto the lips. This should give it a subtle, yet realistic shine.
