Lecture on Drawing Lips

Introduction

• Presented by Stan Prokopenko from Proko
• Focus on drawing and understanding the anatomy of lips
• Lips are expressive and involve muscle and bone movement

Basic Forms

• Tooth Cylinder: Fits between the nose and chin, simplified as a bloated tuna can
  • Bloated: Curved outward walls
  • Affects lip surface forms when viewed from angles other than straight on
  • Lips wrap around the cylinder; corners appear lower than the bottom lip
• Importance of avoiding flat surface drawings of lips

Major Planes

• Simple staircase-like planes from chin to nose
• Profile View: Front face resembles a staircase with alternating planes
• Front View: Staircase indicated by alternating dark and light shapes (dark, light, dark, light)

Anatomy Overview

• Orbicularis Oris: Red portion of lips and area directly above and below
  • Originates at the corners (nodes) of the lips; visible as bumps
  • Many muscles attach and pull on it to form expressions
  • Can tighten to form an 'O' or blow a kiss
• Lips attach to the tooth cylinder at the nose base and chin top

Minor Forms

• Top Lip: Three forms; Bottom Lip: Two forms
  • Described as squishy pillows
  • Tubercle: Rounded heart-shaped form in the middle of the top lip
  • Overlapping forms add depth; indicated by T intersections
• Local Value: Varies with skin tone and lipstick
  • Moisture increases highlight brightness and sharpness

Shading and Form

• Pay attention to minor plane changes when shading
• Darkest Tones: Crease, corners, core shadows at the top of the top lip and bottom of the bottom lip
• Upper Lip Region: Gradation revealing the tooth cylinder
  • Philtrum: Concave depression with two planes; darker plane opposite to overall upper lip dark
  • Ridge: Top ridge sometimes catches light; avoid a white outline
• Lower Lip Region: Two inward-angled pillars forming an arch often in shadow
• Corners of Lips: Bumps from muscle connections
  • Nodes: Bean-like volume creating a soft edge outside and sharp edge inside

Conclusion

• Emphasis on anatomical understanding for realistic lip expressions
• Future series to cover more on anatomy and expressions