Information On Pencil Portrait Drawing - Muscles That Form 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 appreciate the underlying anatomy.

Below we list the 3 significant muscles that add to a smile:

* The Zygomaticus Major - is the main “muscle of happiness”. This extended muscle initiates at the front area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the node.

When the zygomaticus major contracts it bulges and raises 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 initiates at the temple and inserts into and forms the lower part of the nasolabial furrow.

The malaris is the cheek muscle. It draws up the cheek in an outwards and back bearing making it swell and giving it the puffy cheek look.

* The Buccinator - quadrilateral muscle forms the “cheek pad”. It begins on the rear, inside of the jaw and inserts into the “corners” of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator contracts thus heaving at the corners and widen the mouth.

As the mouth is widened 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 to some extent.

Below are still other minor muscles that add to the smile:

1. The Risorius - is a curious muscle because not each person has one. Some people only have a risorius on one side of the face. Other people have a large, expansive triangular shaped one.

The Risorius begins in the tissue of the Masseter (whose action is employed largely for chewing) and attaches to the node of the mouth.

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

2. Incisivus Labii Superioris and Inferioris Superioris - The superioris does the heaving. These thing, band-like muscles begin just above the incisor tooth area and also attach to the corner.

When fully shrunk, a puckering up of the lips (a kiss) is produced.

3. The Levator Labii Superioris is a thin, quadrilateral muscle whose effect on the smile is somewhat restricted.

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

Over the three critical muscles goes the most complex 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 nasolabial furrow is deepened as it is simultaneously heaved and pressed upwards and outwards. It is best to play down the sharp fold of the nasolabial furrow otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a grimace.

As the node of the mouth is heaved out and upwards the skin is gathered into subtle vertical ridges.

The interstice of the mouth curves upward, broadening and flattening the lips while reducing the philtrum. The nostrils of the nose also broaden as they are drawn outwards.

The top portion of the nasolabial furrow is produced by a slender, three-part muscle named the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that produces wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

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

When sketching the smile-line be careful not to over-do it. A delicate suggestion is all that is needed. Otherwise your lovely smile will quickly degenerate into a scowl.

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 appreciating the anatomy of the smile.

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Remi Engels is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter and expert drawing teacher. See his work at graphite pencil portraits by Remi.

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