How to draw a mouth - a free mouth drawing guide
Draw realistic mouths step by step, including lip shapes, teeth, and simple shading. Practice proportions and expressions using pencil and eraser for neat results. Download the PDF for complete instructions.
Photos of mouth drawing examples
Step-by-step guide to draw a mouth
Step 1
Gather your materials and sit at a well-lit table.
Step 2
Lightly draw a short vertical center line on the paper to mark the mouth's middle.
Step 3
Lightly draw a horizontal guideline where the mouth will sit.
Step 4
Mark the left and right endpoints on the horizontal line to set the mouth width.
Step 5
Lightly sketch a shallow oval around the area to contain the lips.
Step 6
Sketch the top lip outline with a gentle M shape for the cupid's bow using light strokes.
Step 7
Sketch the bottom lip outline with a soft U curve connecting the corners using light strokes.
Step 8
Draw the thin seam line between the lips using a slightly curved light stroke.
Step 9
Add faint vertical tooth guide marks along the seam if the mouth is open.
Step 10
Erase the oval and extra guideline marks that fall outside the lip shapes.
Step 11
Go over the lip edges with slightly darker pencil lines to refine the shapes.
Step 12
Shade the upper lip lightly with small strokes and blend gently with a stump or tissue.
Step 13
Add a soft shadow under the lower lip by shading and blending to show depth.
Step 14
Use the eraser to lift a thin highlight on the lower lip to make it look shiny.
Step 15
Draw another quick mouth with the seam tilted up or down to practice a different expression and then share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a blending stump or tortillon?
Use a clean cotton swab, a folded tissue, or your fingertip to gently blend the small strokes when shading the upper lip and the soft shadow under the lower lip.
My guidelines are still visible after erasing—how can I fix that?
Lightly lift the vertical center line, horizontal guideline, and oval with a soft kneaded eraser before going over the lip edges with slightly darker pencil lines so only the refined shapes remain.
How can I adapt the steps for younger or older children?
For younger kids, skip the faint vertical tooth guide marks and blending, use a darker crayon or marker to draw big M and U shapes on thicker paper, while older kids should follow the light-pencil guidelines, add subtle shading with a stump or tissue, and refine highlights with an eraser.
How can we make the mouth drawing more interesting or personal?
After practicing the second quick mouth with the seam tilted up or down, add details like faint tooth guide marks and teeth, color the lips with colored pencils, and lift a thin eraser highlight on the lower lip for a shiny, personalized finish.
Watch videos on how to draw a mouth
How to Draw Lips for Kids - Easy Step by Step Tutorial!
4 Videos
Facts about drawing facial features
✏️ A kneaded eraser is perfect for lifting graphite to make subtle highlights on teeth and the glossy part of lips.
🎨 Artists usually use three tonal zones — highlights, midtones, and shadows — to make lips appear round and 3D.
👄 Human lips don’t have sweat glands and are packed with sensory receptors, which is why they feel extra sensitive.
🦷 Most adults have 32 teeth if their wisdom teeth come in — that includes incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
🙂 Slight asymmetry in a smile often reads as more natural and expressive than perfect symmetry.
How do I teach my child to draw a realistic mouth step by step?
What materials do I need to draw realistic mouths with my child?
What ages is this mouth-drawing activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for practicing realistic mouth drawings?
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