Hey! This is Ariii, and today let's learn about how to draw different mouth expressions, the easy way!

 

I have been using Clip Studio Paint Ex for about half a year now, and it literally saved me in so many ways. In this tutorial, I'm also going to show you my workspace and the basic things to set up your canvas and get going and be creative with this marvelous app! and always remember, Never Stop Learning!

 

1.1 Getting to Know Your Workspace!

This is the workspace where you'll be drawing your Digital Art.

Simply Open [Canvas] (it is located at top-left corner) and Choose the Size and the Resolution (dpi) of your Canvas. I recommend to use, 2000x2000 and 600dpi because its gives off the HD Quality of your Art.

And you'll be welcome with a Clear Canvas. On the lower right you'll see various different kind of button, we'll just name a few essential button you need to take note of

 

Such as:

1. Opacity and Blending Mode- [Opacity] is for the visibleness of the image. [Blending Mode] is for various combinations and effect for your art. Its actually fun to experiment with it specially with lightings!

2. Lock Transparent Pixels- This is also known as Alpha Lock, where you can paint only in the desired location without messing up other parts of your art.

3. Delete Layer - used to delete a specific layer, but if you want to delete a certain number or layer you can click the small check box next to the [View Layer].

4. Combine to Layer Below - This is also known as Merge Layer. You can combine your layer from the top to the next layer.

5. Transfer to Lower Layer- this is also the same with [Combine to Layer Below].

6.New Layer Folder - This is used to arrange and organize your layer. This is a must to use specially when dealing with alot of layers. You can also rename this by double tapping the [Layer 1] and you can set the specific name for the Folder. Trust me this is super handy!

7.New Raster Layer- Also known as [New Layer]. This is where you add a new Layer and have fun creating new arts!

8. Lock Layer - This is used to Lock a specific layer. This also helps you from preventing to delete a layer, so, take note that you must unlock it first before deleting the layer.

9. Clip To Layer Below - This is used to Clip a Layer BELOW a specific LAYER. Usually I typically use this button when I don't want my layer blending with the base layer. This is also super handy!

10. View Layer- Used to view a certain layer.

Recently, Clip Studio Released an Update having a TIMELAPSE! It's one of my favorite updates because I get to see my process. Make sure you click the [Record Timelapse] before starting your art process! and you can Export it once you're done.

1.2 Your Color Palette Area!

In Here, you'll see where I placed the Color Palette and Color Wheel Area, I also included the Navigator for you to see your art easily.

1. Color Set- This is where you can choose and add a color you wanted, and if you want an already made palette you can check out Clip Studio Assets, there are tons and various of palettes that is created by tons of artists.

2. Color Wheel - This is where you can chose the color you need that is not present in you palette, you can actually add the color you have chosen from the Color Wheel. Just click the [Add Color] located at the lower right corner of the Color Set.

3. Navigator- This is used to locate, track and rotate the canvas. Oh! and if you use you space bar on your keyboard you can drag your canvas!

 

And in here I placed my Sub Tool and Tool Property for space. You'll see the different varieties of Brushes and Pens in Clip Studio Assets and Download them!

 

Oh! and I almost forgot these panels are movable so that you'll find the workspace that you'll be more comfortable with. You can copy the same exact positions of my panels, but still, find a more comfortable position to make your digital art! oh! and also have fun with it! that's the most important thing.

1.3 Save that Pretty Art!

And Of course, save that pretty art. Click [Find]+[Export] +[.jpg(JPEG)]. You can also save it into other formats such as PNG or GIF!

Well, that's enough introduction for this super awesome program! Let's hop right on the MOUTH, LIPS, and Teeth Tutorial!

2.1 Mouth, Lips, and Teeth Beginners TuTorial: Where Should I Place It?

So, I know mostly everyone struggles where to put the mouth, and even me, I, still struggle with it. But, I'm going to show you this simple tip that is helpful to me, and I hope that it'll be helpful to you also!

I'll elaborate on the guidelines that I have prepared. We have:

1.) FRONT

2.) 3/4 LEFT ANGLE

3.) 3/4 RIGHT ANGLE

4.) LEFT and RIGHT POSITIONS.

2.2 The Front Angle

Yep! The artist's favorite! " THE FRONT ANGLE".

 

The front-faced position where you can easily place the Eyes, Nose, Ears, and Mouth! and what makes the Face Expressions "WHOLE" is the Expressions in the Mouth.

 

You can easily determine if your character is sad or happy by placing the right Mouth Expression in the face.

 

1.1 FRONT ANGLE GUIDELINES

 

WHERE:

1. Eyes ( Red Color)

2. Brows (Blue Color)

3. Ears (Green Color)

4. Mouth (Orange Color)

 

TAKE NOTE: The mouth is located and leveled in the position of your jaw. Notice the orange line. the mouth is placed in the middle just below the level of the ears.

 

Also if you take a closer look you'll notice that the pupil of the eyes is vertically parallel to the level where the mouth ends

 

1.2 FRONT ANGLE GUIDLINES

a.) The Collor Palette

THE COLOR PALETTE!

Here's the Color Palette that I used in this series!

1. Base

2. Lower Lips

3. Lower Lip Shadow

4. Shadow

5. Highlights

6. Tongue

7. Tongue Shadow

8. Teeth

9. Teeth Shadow

b.) Happy Mouth Expressions [Simple Smile] and [Wide Smile]

Here are some commonly used expressions in the MOUTH, such as HAPPY, NEUTRAL, and SAD.

 

Let me show you first the HAPPY MOUTH EXPRESSIONS. We have either [SIMPLE SMILE] and [WIDE SMILE].

 

A.) SIMPLE SMILE- Here you'll see a simple smile expression that is commonly seen in a character's face.

(noticed that number on the top left corner? that indicates the steps you'll be following. Have fun learning!)

 

FRONT SMILE EXPRESSION

Step 1: Of course add your [Base] first! And Draw a simple straight horizontal line.

Step 2: Proceed to add a small curve on both ends of the line.

Step 3: Erase the middle part and add a curve for the bottom lip (by this point you completed drawing your lips!).

Step 4: Add the [Lower Lips] Color and the [Lower Lip Shadow].

Step 5: Add the [Shadow], above the Upper lip and Under the Bottom Lip.

Step 6: Add the [Highlight]. This is placed where the light shines the most.

 

 

NOTE: The colors used are in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

 

 

B.) WIDE SMILE - Here you'll see a Wide Happy Smile Expression in the Mouth. You'll get the hang of this one!

                                                             FRONT WIDE SMILE EXPRESSION

Step 1: Draw a Curve on both upper and lower lip

Step 2: Connect both of them, forming a bowl.

Step 3: Draw a curve guideline for teeth. Both Upper Teeth and Bottom Teeth.

Step 4: Place a Canine(Cuspid) Teeth on both Sides. Also, don't forget to add the tongue.

Step 5: Darken the Inside Area.

Step 6: Add the [Lower Lip Color] on both the Upper and Lower Lip.

Step 7: Add also the [Lower Lip Shadow] on the bottom lips. The [Tongue] Color for the tongue area. And [Shadow] for the under the bottom lip.

Step 8: And the [Teeth] Color.

Step 9:Add the [Tongue Shadow]. Place this color in the inner part of the tongue.

Step 10: Lastly, Add some [Highlights] for the glossy image of the lips!

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

c.) Neutral Mouth Expressions [Neutral 1] and [Neutral 2]

Neutral Mouth Expressions are usually used in Resting Face. Just the normal no expression of emotion face. I added this one since a lot of artists prefer a Neutral look for their character.

 

a.) NEUTRAL 1 - This is the simplest mouth expression that anyone can make! I often use this one in my sketches

 

 

FRONT NEUTRAL EXPRESSION (i promise you this is easy >...<)

Step 1: Draw one horizontal line and another shorter horizontal line.

Step 2: Make a small curve on both ending sides of the lip.

Step 3: Add [Lower Lip] Color for the Lower Lip.

Step 4: Add [Lower Lip Shadow] under the upper lip.

Step 5: Add [Shadow] under the bottom lip. (draw it like a long bowl shape)

Step 6: Finally, add [Highlights]

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

b.) NEUTRAL 2 - This mouth expression is also popularly used by artists, for this gives off a sexy vibe expression to the character's face.

FRONT NEUTRAL EXPRESSION 2

Step 1: Draw 2 dashes on both ends of the lip.

Step 2: Draw 2 straight horizontal lines that are parallel to each other.

Step 3: Add a curve for the upper lip.

Step 4: Connect the upper curve lip and the lower lip.

Step 5: Add the [Lower Lip] color for the Bottom Lip.

Step 6: Add the [Lower Lip Shadow] for the upper lip.

Step 7: Applied the Shadow on the upper and lower parts of the lip.

Step 8: Use the [Teeth] shade in the color palette for the Teeth.

Step 9: Add some shadows [Teeth Shadow].

Step 10: And lastly add the gloss. [Highlights].

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

d.) Sad Mouth Expression [Simple Sad Expression]

This actually made me sad while drawing this, hihihi, I don't even know why >...<.

So, yes this is a simple SAD MOUTH EXPRESSION you can draw and place in your character.

 

1. SIMPLE SAD EXPRESSION

FRONT SAD EXPRESSION

Step 1: Draw curves for the upper and lower lips. And also don't forget the curve on both ends of the lips.

Step 2: Add [Lower Lip] Shade in the bottom lip.

Step 3: Add the [Lower Lip Shadow] to the bottom part of the upper lip.

Step 4: Add [Shadows] for the upper and underneath the bottom lip.

Step 5: Lastly, add [Highlights.]

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

2.3 The 3/4 Side LEFT and RIGHT Angle

Now introducing the "3/4 Side Left and Right Angle". This is a personal favorite, and I hope this will be your favorite too! I have created 3 commonly used 3/4 Side Mouth expressions. I have [Side Lip Smile], [Side Mid Smile], and [Side Wide Smile].

Feel free to use this guideline for both 3/4 side of the face.

a.) 3/4 Side Lip Smile

3/4 SIDE LIP SMILE

Step 1: Draw a curve guideline for both the ends of the lip.

Step 2: Proceed to make a curve for the upper and the bottom lip.

Step 3: Connect the upper lips to both ends of the lips.

Step 4: Add the [Lower Lip] Shade.

Step 5: And add the [Lower Lip Shadow] Color to the Upper lip.

Step 6: Don't forget to include [Shadow].

Step 7: And [Highlights]!!!

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

b.) 3/4 Side Mid Smile

3/4 SIDE MID SMILE

Step 1:Draw a curve line on both ends of the lip.

Step 2: Draw one curve for the upper lip and another one for the side lip.

Step 3: Then simply connect them.

Step 4: Add a curve line for the bottom lip.

Step 5: Using your brush apply [Lower Lip] color for the bottom lip.

Step 6: And as for the upper lip, apply [Lower Lips Shadow] as well. You can slightly blur it for a glossy effect.

Step 7: Add [Shadow] underneath the bottom lip and also for the upper lip ( I think it's philtrum? I kept saying that its the areas on the upper lip)

Step 8: And the [Teeth] Color.

Step 9: Add the [Teeth Shadow].

Step 10: And finally the [Highlights].

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

c.) 3/4 Side Wide Smile

3/4 SIDE WIDE SMILE

Step 1: Draw 3 curves. One for both ends of the lips. and one for the bottom lips

Step 2: Simply connect them.

Step 3: Draw a guideline for teeth, one for upper teeth and one for lower teeth

Step 4: And also don't forget to put the tongue.

Step 5: Draw some slightly pointy curves for the teeth.

Step 6: Cover the back part with black.

Step 7: Apply [Lower Lip] Color for the bottom lip.

Step 8: Add [Lower Lip Shadow] for the lower lip.

Step 9: Add [Shadow] for the bottom lip.

Step 10: Also add the [Tongue] Color.

Step 11: Also the [Tongue Shadow].

Step 12: And the [Teeth] Color.

Step 13: And the [Teeth Shadow]

Step 14: Lastly add the [Highlights]

 

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

2.5 The Left and Right Angle

By this point, you are able to learn about 8 Common Mouth Expressions in Front and 3/4 Left and Right Angle.

 

There would be the remaining 2 mouth expression that you'll be learning! and now this is for the Left and Right Angle. I noticed that some don't really like drawing this angle, especially for the mouth part because it's hard to draw for some.

 

Notice the guideline below where the Eyes, Brows, Ears, and Mouth are located, I really hope these guidelines helped you in determining where to put these essentials.

a.) Left and Right Angle 1.1

I will be posting a tutorial soon for the Tips and Tricks in drawing the Left and Right Angle. I really hope you'll learn it together with me again! So, For now, let's focus on the Mouth! And where to color it!

LEFT AND RIGHT ANGLE 1.1

Step 1: Draw your line art.

Step 2: Apply [Lower Lip] Color for the bottom lip.

Step 3:Add [Lower Lip Shadow] for the lower lip.

Step 4:Add [Shadow] for the bottom lip.

Step 5:And the [Teeth] Color

Step 6: And the [Teeth Shadow]

Step 7:Lastly add the [Highlights]

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

b.) Left and Right Angle 1.2

I will be posting a tutorial soon for the Tips and Tricks in drawing the Left and Right Angle. I really hope you'll learn it together with me again! So, For now, let's focus on the Mouth! And where to color it!

LEFT AND RIGHT ANGLE 1.2

Step 1: Draw your line art.

Step 2: Apply [Lower Lip] Color for the bottom lip.

Step 3:Add [Lower Lip Shadow] for the lower lip.

Step 4:Add [Shadow] for the bottom lip.

Step 5:And the [Teeth] Color

Step 6: And the [Teeth Shadow]

Step 7:Lastly add the [Highlights]

 

NOTE: The colors used is in the section [a.) The Color Palette!]

2.6 Congratulations for learning!

You have finally learned the 10 Commonly used MOUTH Expressions! And I must say Congratulations! I hope it was fun learning it!

 

 

If you liked this tutorial please comment down below what's the most helpful tip for you! and let me know what to learn next!

Here are some of my artworks with different mouth expressions! . One with School Theme and one with Villain Theme. You can check it out IG @ariii.yann

Thank you for learning with me!