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Information on Pencil Portrait Sketching - Muscular Forms That Build the Smile

Published by Remi | January 12th 2009 | Views:

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A smile is the consequence of happiness. It lifts and extends the lower face and the raised cheeks will often crease the skin just below the eyes creating the so-called "crow’s feet".

To understand the makings of a smile in its numerous manifestations we must first understand the underlying anatomy.

Below we list the 3 major muscles that contribute to a smile:

* The Zygomaticus Major - is the main "muscle of happiness". This stretched out muscle initiates at the frontal area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the node.

When the zygomaticus major shrinks it bulges and raises the cheek while further extending the Nasolabial Furrow or smile-line.

* The Malaris - rests on top of the zygomaticus major and is a long, ribbon-like deep-seated muscle. It initiates at the temple and attaches to and forms the lower part of the nasolabial furrow.

The malaris is the cheek muscle. It pulls up the cheek in an outward and back direction making it bulge and giving it the puffed cheek look.

* The Buccinator - quadrilateral muscle forms the "cheek cushion". It initiates on the back, inside of the jaw and attaches to the "corners" of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator shrinks thus drawing at the corners 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 phir 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 lifting. These thing, band-like muscles initiate just above the incisor tooth region and also insert into the node.

When fully contracted, 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.

However, the upper part of this muscle contributes to the volume of the cheek and the nasolabial furrow.

Over the 3 major muscles goes the most complex of all the facial muscles, the Orbicularis Oris which functions throughout a large range of movements and expressions.

During a smile the lower eyelids are also pressed upwards. 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 outward. 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 upwards, 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 nasolabial furrow is formed by a slender, 3-part muscle called the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that creates wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

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

When rendering the nasolabial furrow be careful not to over-do it. A subtle suggestion is all that is needed. Otherwise your lovely smile will quickly degenerate into a scowl.

With this we have enumerated and discussed the most important muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the correct path for comprehend
ing the anatomy of the smile.
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