How to Draw Realistic Lips in 7 Simple Steps

Published on 21 June 2023 8 min read

Step 3: Establish the Shape of the Lips

Step 4: Add Details and Texture

Step 5: Shading and Highlights

Step 6: Blending and Smoothing

Have you ever wanted to learn how to draw lips that look realistic and captivating? You're in the right place! In this blog, we'll walk you through a simple 7-step process that will have you drawing beautiful, realistic lips in no time. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist looking to improve your skills, this guide is perfect for you. So, let's dive in and get started with our first step!

Step 1: Observe and Analyze

Before you start sketching, it's important to spend some time observing and analyzing real-life lips. This will give you a better understanding of their shape, texture, and natural variations. Here are some tips to help you with this crucial step:

Study different types of lips – Look at photos, people around you, and even your own lips in the mirror. Observe the differences in size, shape, and color between various lips.
Pay attention to the Cupid's bow – This is the curve at the center of the upper lip that resembles an "M" shape. Notice how it varies in depth and sharpness from person to person.
Observe the lip line – Lips are not just flat shapes; they have depth and contour. Look closely at the transition between the lips and the surrounding skin to see this subtle but important detail.
Consider the lighting – As with any drawing, understanding the light source and how it affects the lips is essential. Notice the way light and shadows interact with the lips' curves and textures.

By taking the time to observe and analyze lips closely, you'll have a solid foundation for creating realistic drawings. Now that you have a better understanding of their structure, let's move on to the next step—drawing the outline!

Step 2: Draw the Outline

Now that you have a good understanding of how lips look and feel, it's time to start drawing. The first step in learning how to draw lips is creating a basic outline. This will serve as a guide for the rest of your drawing process. Here's how to do it:

Draw a horizontal line – This will represent the center of the lips, where they meet when the mouth is closed. Make sure it's straight and of the desired length for the lips you want to draw.
Sketch the Cupid's bow – Starting at the center of the horizontal line, draw a soft "M" shape to represent the curve of the upper lip. Remember to consider the depth and sharpness you observed earlier.
Outline the upper lip – From the ends of the Cupid's bow, draw two curved lines that extend outwards and downwards, following the natural shape of the upper lip. These lines should be somewhat symmetrical but not perfectly so, as lips are rarely identical on both sides.
Draw the lower lip – Starting from the outer ends of the upper lip, sketch two slightly curved lines that extend downwards and then curve back inwards to meet at the bottom center of the lips. This will form the shape of the lower lip.

At this point, you should have a simple outline that represents the basic shape of the lips. Don't worry if it's not perfect—this is just a starting point, and we'll refine the shape and add details in the next steps. Just remember to keep it light and sketchy, as you'll be adjusting and erasing some lines later on. Now that you have your outline, let's move on to step 3 and establish the shape of the lips!

Step 3: Establish the Shape of the Lips

With your basic outline in place, it's time to refine the shape of the lips and make them look more realistic. In this step, we'll focus on adding some subtle details to the outline and give the lips depth and dimension. Here's how you can do that:

Add thickness to the upper lip – To create the illusion of depth, draw two parallel lines slightly above the outline of the upper lip. This will help you visualize the thickness of the upper lip and make it easier to shade later on.
Define the lower lip's thickness – Similar to the upper lip, draw two parallel lines slightly below the outline of the lower lip. This will emphasize the thickness of the lower lip and set the stage for adding texture and shading.
Consider the lip corners – Lips are not flat; they have a three-dimensional shape that wraps around the teeth and gums. To capture this, add small curved lines at both ends of the horizontal line you drew earlier. This will help you create the appearance of depth at the corners of the mouth.
Refine the shape – Now, take a step back and look at your drawing. Are there any areas that need adjusting? Do the lips look too wide, too narrow, or uneven? If so, make any necessary changes to the shape of the lips now, before moving on to the next step.

By now, your lip drawing should have a more defined shape and look more three-dimensional. This step is crucial because it sets the foundation for the rest of your drawing. If you're happy with the shape and depth of the lips, it's time to add details and texture in step 4 of learning how to draw lips!

Step 4: Add Details and Texture

Now that you have established the shape and depth of the lips, it's time to bring them to life with details and texture. Remember, the key to drawing realistic lips is to pay attention to the subtle differences in texture and light. Here's how to do that:

Draw the lip lines – Lips have natural lines and wrinkles that give them their unique texture. Start by drawing several vertical lines on both the upper and lower lips, following the curvature of the lips. These lines should be irregular and vary in length and thickness to create a more natural look.
Add the Cupid's bow – Notice how the upper lip has a small indentation in the middle, known as the Cupid's bow. Draw a soft "V" shape at the center of the upper lip to emphasize this feature. This small detail can make a significant difference in the realism of your lip drawing.
Emphasize the lip corners – The corners of the lips often have small creases where the upper and lower lips meet. To represent this, add a few short, curved lines near the corners of the mouth. This will enhance the three-dimensional appearance of the lips.
Refine the details – Take a moment to review your drawing and make any necessary adjustments to the details and texture. Are the lip lines too bold or too faint? Does the Cupid's bow look natural? Use your observation skills to fine-tune your drawing at this stage.

By adding these details and focusing on the texture, you're well on your way to mastering how to draw lips that look realistic. The next step will involve shading and highlighting to create even more depth and dimension.

Step 5: Shading and Highlights

Shading and highlights are essential for creating the illusion of depth and dimension in your lip drawing. This step will help you transform your flat-looking lips into a more realistic and three-dimensional appearance. Here's how to add shading and highlights to your lip drawing:

Identify light source – Before you begin shading, determine the direction of the light source. This will help you understand where the shadows and highlights should be placed on the lips.
Shade the darker areas – Using a softer pencil or a darker shade, begin to shade the areas of the lips that are further from the light source. These areas may include the corners of the mouth, the underside of the lower lip, and the creases between the lip lines.
Add highlights – With an eraser or a lighter pencil, gently add highlights to the areas of the lips that are hit by the light source directly. These areas typically include the top of the upper lip, the middle of the lower lip, and the Cupid's bow.
Gradually blend shades – To create a smooth and natural transition between the shaded and highlighted areas, use your pencil to blend the shades gently. This will prevent any harsh lines or abrupt changes in tone, which can make the lips look less realistic.

Once you've added shading and highlights to your lip drawing, you'll notice a significant improvement in the realism of your artwork. But there's still more to learn about how to draw lips — let's move on to blending and smoothing for the perfect finish.

Step 6: Blending and Smoothing

Blending and smoothing are crucial techniques in drawing realistic lips, as they help to create a seamless and natural appearance. In this step, you'll learn how to blend and smooth the shades in your lip drawing to achieve a polished and lifelike result. Let's dive into the process:

Choose your blending tool – There are various tools available for blending, such as blending stumps, tortillons, or even your fingertips. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with and that works best for your drawing style.
Blend in one direction – Start by blending the shaded areas of the lips in one direction, following the natural curves and contours of the lips. This will help you maintain the structure and shape of the lips while creating a smooth appearance.
Smooth out the highlights – After blending the shaded areas, move on to the highlighted areas. Gently blend and smooth these areas to create a seamless transition between the highlights and the shaded regions.
Refine the edges – Finally, use your blending tool to soften and refine the edges of the lips, ensuring there are no harsh lines or abrupt transitions. This will give your lip drawing a more natural and realistic look.

By now, your lip drawing should be taking on a more realistic appearance, thanks to the techniques of blending and smoothing. But there's still one more step to master in learning how to draw lips — let's explore final touches and refinements to complete your masterpiece.

At this stage, your lip drawing should already look quite realistic. But to truly bring your drawing to life and perfect the art of how to draw lips, we need to add some final touches and refinements. These small adjustments can make a significant difference in the overall appearance of your drawing. Let's jump into the last step:

Adjust the values – Take a step back and examine your drawing. If necessary, darken the shadows or lighten the highlights to create a more balanced and dynamic contrast between the different areas of the lips.
Enhance the details – Look closely at the lip texture and any other small details you might have missed. You can use a sharp pencil or a fine-point eraser to add or refine these details, such as individual lip wrinkles or subtle creases.
Define the lip contours – If the lips' edges have become too soft during the blending process, use a sharp pencil to gently redefine the contours, ensuring they remain natural and not overly harsh.
Make adjustments as needed – Take a final look at your drawing and make any necessary adjustments to the shape, shading, or details of the lips. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to rework any areas that need improvement.

Congratulations! You've now learned how to draw lips in a realistic manner by following these 7 simple steps. With practice and a keen eye for detail, you'll only get better at capturing the unique beauty and nuances of lips in your artwork. Keep honing your skills, and soon you'll be a master at drawing lips that truly come to life on the page.

If you're looking to expand your digital art skills and learn new techniques, don't miss out on the workshop 'How to Draw A Fruit In ProCreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will guide you through the process of drawing a fruit using the ProCreate app, making it a fun and engaging way to improve your digital art abilities.