Art-ology

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 creating the so-called “crow’s feet”.

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

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

* The Zygomaticus Major – is the major “muscle of happiness”. This stretched out muscle originates at the front area of the Zygomatic Arch (cheek bone) and attaches to the corner.

When the zygomaticus major shrinks it bulges and lifts 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 originates at the temple and attaches to and forms the bottom half of the smile-line.

The malaris is the cheek muscle. It draws up the cheek in an outward and backwards direction making it bulge and giving it the puffy cheek look.

* The Buccinator – quadrilateral muscle forms the “cheek cushion”. It originates on the back, inside of the jaw and attaches to the “nodes” of the mouth.

When smiling the buccinator shrinks thus heaving at the nodes and extend the mouth.

As the mouth is extended and pulled by both the zygomaticus major and buccinator the lips are stretched and flattened. So is the chin. The philtrum is shortened and the nostrils flare somewhat.

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

1. The Risorius – is a curious muscle because not everybody has one. Some people only have a risorius on one side of their face. Others have a large, extensive triangular shaped one.

The Risorius originates in the tissue of the Masseter (whose action is made use of largely for chewing) and attaches to the corner of the mouth.

The risorius subtly pulls the corner backwards and up. Its effect is mainly seen in gentle smiles.

2. Incisivus Labii Superioris and Inferioris Superioris – The superioris does the heaving. These narrow, band-like muscles originate 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 limited.

However, the upper part of this muscle adds to the volume of the cheek and the smile-line.

Over the three significant muscles goes the most complicated of all the facial muscles, the Orbicularis Oris which operates throughout a large range of actions and expressions.

During a smile the bottom eyelids are also pressed upwards. This is the result of a secondary action where the Orbicularis Oculi (the muscle of the eye socket) shrinks.

The smile-line is deepened as it is simultaneously pulled and pressed upwards and outward. It is best to understate the sharp fold of the smile-line otherwise the smile will deteriorate into a scowl.

As the corner of the mouth is pulled out and upwards the flesh is gathered into delicate vertical ridges.

The interstice of the mouth curves upwards, expanding and flattening the lips while shortening the philtrum. The nostrils of the nose also extend as they are pulled outwards.

The top portion of the smile-line is formed by a slender, three-part muscle called the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi. This is the muscle that formes wrinkles in the nose during sniffing.

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

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

With this we have itemized and discussed the most critical muscles that are involved in the smile. This should put you on the accurate path for comprehending the anatomy of the smile.

Do you want to learn the secrets of pencil portrait sketching? Download my brand new free pencil portrait drawing tutorial here: pencil portrait tutorial.

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

Please also pay attention to how to tattoo info – old art that has been together with human beings for ages and is still very popular.