In the vibrant world of anime and manga, mastering the art of drawing expressive and realistic mouths is essential. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned enthusiast, understanding the intricacies of drawing anime and manga mouths from a side view can elevate your artwork to a whole new level.
Placing Anime Mouth & Lips on the Head in Side View
To achieve accurate placement of an anime mouth on the head from a side view, begin by positioning the bottom lip approximately 1/8th of the total height of the head from the chin. The mouth should be positioned slightly above this point. This helps establish the correct vertical alignment for the mouth in relation to the head.
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Drawing Anime Lips in Side View
Drawing anime lips from a side view starts with a simple technique. Begin by drawing a line from the tip of the nose to the curve of the chin. This line serves as a guide to position the lips horizontally. Following this method allows you to create realistic and proportional anime lips.
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Understanding How a Mouth Opens
When depicting the opening of a mouth, it is essential to comprehend the mechanism of the jaw’s movement. Unlike a straightforward vertical drop, the jaw swings down, mimicking a door on its hinges. However, it also has a slight forward shift. It’s important to note that the upper part of the mouth remains stationary, except for the movement of the lips.
For an in-depth understanding of drawing anime teeth, refer to the comprehensive tutorial:
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Drawing Different Expressions
Now let’s explore how to draw various mouth expressions commonly seen in anime and manga from a side view.
Closed Anime Mouth Side View
To depict a mouth in a closed position, simply draw a softly curved line. This simple technique conveys a neutral expression and serves as a foundation for more complex emotions.
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Open Anime Mouth Side View
Representing an open mouth requires lowering the bottom jaw and drawing a smooth curve to depict the mouth. Add a hint of the top row of teeth to enhance the realism of the expression.
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Wide Open Anime Mouth Side View
For a wider mouth opening, lower the jaw even further. However, ensure that a lesser portion of the teeth is visible compared to a moderately open mouth. This is because the lips are pulled down more when the mouth is open wider, partially obscuring the teeth.
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Yelling Anime Mouth Side View
When capturing the essence of a character shouting, draw the mouth similarly to an open mouth expression. Ensure that the lips are further pulled back, revealing more of the teeth. This detail emphasizes the intense emotion of yelling.
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Additional Expressions
Different emotions can be portrayed through the diverse range of anime mouth expressions. Here are some key examples:
- Serious Anime Mouth Side View: Draw a downward curve to depict an unhappy or frowning expression.
- Surprised/Excited Anime Mouth Side View: Draw an “O” shape with the lips slightly inward to convey surprise or excitement.
- Smiling Anime Mouth Side View: Show a sharp corner of the mouth revealing the teeth to depict a joyful smile.
- Scared/Shocked Anime Mouth Side View: Angle the mouth downwards similar to an open mouth expression to depict fear or shock.
- Grinning Anime Mouth Side View: Similar to a smiling mouth, add a wrinkle at the corner of the mouth and hint at the separation between the top and bottom rows of teeth.
- Puzzled Anime Mouth Side View: Draw the lips as a curved shape expanding outwards like a distorted “O,” creating a puzzled expression.
- Lightly Smiling Anime Mouth Side View: Draw the mouth slightly longer and more curved to convey a gentle and subtle smile.
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Conclusion
This tutorial has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of how to draw anime and manga mouths from a side view. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to create captivating and authentic mouth expressions in various states. Remember, mastering the art of drawing mouths in anime and manga extends beyond these examples. Feel free to unleash your creativity and explore additional resources to enhance your skills.
For more insights on drawing anime mouths, consider exploring the following resources:
