So you want to draw a cartoon mouth but don’t know where to start? Fear not, with the right technique, anyone can draw a fun and playful cartoon mouth that will give your characters personality and flair. This guide will give you step-by-step instructions to follow along with and tips to improve your cartoon mouth drawing skills at your skill level.
Materials You Need
The materials that you will need to draw a cartoon mouth are very basic and easy to acquire:
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Paper
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step One: The Basic Shapes
To start drawing a cartoon mouth, you need to sketch out the basic shapes that will act as a foundation for your drawing. Begin by drawing a curved horizontal line in the center of your paper. This will be the mouth’s top lip. Next, draw a slightly curved horizontal line below the first line. This will be the bottom lip. Connect the two curves on the side to create an oval shape. This shape will form the mouth’s outline.
Step Two: The Teeth
Draw a line in the middle of the mouth to separate the top and bottom lips. To create the teeth, draw a series of roughly square shapes. These squares should be smaller towards the middle of the mouth and be greater in size towards the corners of the mouth. Ensure that teeth on the top and bottom rows are staggered in a way that doesn’t line up straight across like a barcode.
Step Three: The Tongue
Draw a curved line inside the mouth, which will be the base of the tongue. Then draw a curved line following the contour of the mouth to create the tip of the tongue.
Step Four: The Lips
To create the lips, draw two curved lines around the oval shape you drew earlier. These lines will define the shape of the top and bottom lip. The top lip should be thinner than the bottom lip, and they should both follow the contour of the mouth.
Step Five: Add Character
Now the basic shapes are complete, and the fun part begins – adding character. Here are some tips you can use to give your cartoon mouth personality:
- Determine the expression you want to create before you start drawing.
- Add a smile or frown line to the sides of the mouth to indicate emotions.
- Add a small curve to the top of the mouth to show the position of the mouth, whether it’s open or closed.
Step Six: Add Shading
To make your cartoon mouth appear more 3-dimensional, you’ll want to add shading. Determine where the light source is coming from and shade the bottom and side of the top lip. Do the same for the bottom lip and the teeth, adding short, vertical lines to create a textured appearance. Finally, shade in the tongue and the inside of the mouth.
Step Seven: Erase Unwanted Lines
Erase any unwanted lines and adjust any areas that need it from your initial sketch lines to create a polished final cartoon mouth.
FAQs
Q1: What’s the best way to practice drawing cartoon mouths?
A1: Draw different types of mouths, experiment with different expressions and be adventurous with the character’s features.
Q2: Is this drawing technique suitable for different styles of cartoons?
A2: Yes! The cartoon mouth is one of the most adaptable facial features for different cartoon styles.
Q3: How can I use colors to make my cartoon mouth more interesting?
A3: Try to use bright and bold colors to create a fun, lively cartoon character.
Q4: Can I mix this technique with drawing other facial features?
A4: Yes, you can! This technique is a great starting point for developing a variety of facial features.
Q5: How can I add more depth to the lips?
A5: Using shading, create the illusion of highlights and shadows on the lips’ surface to give them depth and make them look more realistic.
Q6: What’s the best advice you can give to a beginner in cartooning?
A6: Just keep practicing, and do not be afraid to make mistakes! Learn from them and keep on drawing every day!