{"id":1786,"date":"2012-12-02T12:46:16","date_gmt":"2012-12-02T12:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=1786"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:35:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:35:04","slug":"the-secrets-to-drawing-the-nose-and-mouth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-nose-and-mouth","title":{"rendered":"The Secrets to Drawing &#8211; The Nose and Mouth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>The Secrets to Drawing:<\/span> The Nose and Mouth<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/103257509?color=ffffff&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-the-secrets-to-drawing\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY SINGLE COURSE $60<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>5 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>28 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>26 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Description<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>Lesson Twenty-Three of <em>The Secrets to Drawing Course<\/em> focuses on the essential facial features of the <strong>nose<\/strong> and <strong>mouth<\/strong>. These features are critical in capturing likeness, expression, and character in a portrait. In this lesson, students learn how to draw the nose and mouth from start to finish using graphite pencils on white drawing paper. The lesson emphasizes proper structure, proportion, and shading to create realistic and expressive results.<\/p>\n<h2>Introduction to the Nose and Mouth<\/h2>\n<p>The lesson begins with an overview of the anatomy of the nose and mouth. Matt Fussell explains that understanding the underlying structure of these features is key to accurate depiction. For the nose, students learn about the bridge, nostrils, tip, and the subtle planes that create shadows and highlights. For the mouth, the focus is on the shape of the lips, corners, cupid\u2019s bow, and the relationship between the upper and lower lips.<\/p>\n<p>Matt emphasizes that while every individual has unique features, the nose and mouth follow general proportional guidelines that help create balanced and realistic portraits. Observing these features carefully ensures that drawings convey both accuracy and expression.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 1: Establishing Proportions<\/h2>\n<p>Students begin by lightly sketching the basic shape of the nose and mouth. For the nose, Matt demonstrates how to map the bridge, tip, and nostrils using light guidelines. Attention is given to the relationship between the nose and surrounding facial features, ensuring proper placement and proportion.<\/p>\n<p>For the mouth, students mark the horizontal and vertical alignment to establish the width, corners, and central axis of the lips. This framework provides a foundation for accurate feature placement and helps prevent common mistakes such as misaligned lips or disproportionate nostrils.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 2: Drawing the Nose<\/h2>\n<p>Once the basic structure is in place, students focus on refining the nose. Matt demonstrates how to define the nostrils, tip, and bridge with gentle contour lines. Shading is introduced to suggest the three-dimensional form, emphasizing the planes of the nose and the way light interacts with its surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>Graphite pencils of varying hardness are used to build depth, with softer pencils creating darker shadows and harder pencils maintaining lighter midtones. Matt guides students in blending shadows smoothly to produce realistic transitions and volume, while maintaining the subtle highlights that give the nose its natural shape.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 3: Drawing the Mouth<\/h2>\n<p>Next, students move on to the mouth. Using the guidelines, they carefully outline the upper and lower lips, paying attention to the curvature and proportion. The corners of the mouth are shaded to show depth, while the central area of the lips is left lighter to suggest form and highlight.<\/p>\n<p>Matt demonstrates how to layer graphite to capture the subtle tonal differences in the lips, creating realism and dimension. Shading is applied along the edges and within the lip surfaces, blending carefully to avoid harsh lines while preserving texture. Students learn to observe the interplay of light and shadow, which gives the mouth its three-dimensional appearance.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 4: Adding Detail and Refinement<\/h2>\n<p>With the basic forms established, students focus on adding detail and refining the nose and mouth. Matt shows how to adjust the subtle contours of the nostrils and lips, refine edges, and deepen shadows for enhanced realism. Highlights are maintained or gently lifted using an eraser to create contrast and reflect natural light on the surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>Students also practice adding texture to the lips and the area around the nose, enhancing the lifelike quality of the drawing. By paying attention to subtle nuances, the nose and mouth begin to appear three-dimensional and expressive.<\/p>\n<h2>Step 5: Final Assessment and Finishing Touches<\/h2>\n<p>In the final stage, students evaluate the overall balance and proportion of the nose and mouth within the context of the face. Matt encourages a careful review of shadows, highlights, and alignment, making small adjustments as needed. Additional shading or blending is applied to refine the realism and unify the drawing.<\/p>\n<p>This final assessment ensures that the nose and mouth work together harmoniously and appear natural, providing a strong foundation for complete portrait drawing in subsequent lessons.<\/p>\n<h2>Benefits of Studying the Nose and Mouth<\/h2>\n<p>Learning to draw the nose and mouth develops students\u2019 observational skills, understanding of light and shadow, and ability to capture expression. These features are essential for portraiture, conveying both likeness and personality. By mastering proportion, structure, and subtle tonal variation, students enhance their overall portrait drawing abilities.<\/p>\n<h2>Mastery of the Nose and Mouth<\/h2>\n<p>By the end of Lesson Twenty-Three, students have completed a graphite drawing of a nose and mouth from start to finish. They have learned to construct accurate proportions, render three-dimensional form through shading, and add realistic details. This lesson strengthens the foundation for full-face portrait drawing, building confidence and technical skill. Mastery of the nose and mouth equips students to create expressive and believable portraits, expanding both their technical proficiency and artistic observation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Materials<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<p>Graphite pencil, white drawing paper.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Curriculum<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n<div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-introduction\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: Introduction (5:03)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-line\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Line (14:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-shape\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: Shape (8:19)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-form\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: Form (13:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-value\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: Value (11:59)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-space\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: Space (6:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-one-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: One Point Perspective (12:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-two-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 8: Two Point Perspective (12:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-three-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 9: Three Point Perspective (10:27)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-basic-drawing-techniques\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 10: Basic Drawing Techniques (15:03)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-from-life\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 11: Drawing From Life (9:01)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-from-photos\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 12: Drawing From Photos (15:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-composition\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 13: Composition (12:20)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-graphite\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 14: Graphite (9:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-charcoal\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 15: Charcoal (10:32)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-drawing-with-ink\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 16: Ink (9:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-color\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 17: Color (14:28)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-colored-pencils\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 18: Colored Pencils (11:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-oil-pastels\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 19: Oil Pastels (11:51)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-soft-pastels\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 20: Soft Pastels (11:21)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-facial-proportions\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 21: Facial Proportions (13:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-eye\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 22: The Eye (14:05)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-nose-and-mouth\" class=\"curriculumselected\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 23: The Nose and Mouth (12:24)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-the-ear\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 24: The Ear (4:51)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-hair\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 25: Hair (14:02)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-basic-figure-drawing\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 26: Figure Drawing (20:00)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-foreshortening\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 27: Foreshortening (12:54)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing-conclusion\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 28: Conclusion (2:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/portrait-drawing-the-smart-way\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Portrait Drawing The Smart Way<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Portrait-Drawing-The-Smart-Way-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/realistic-portrait-drawing-with-pencil\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Portrait Drawing with Graphite<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/pencil-portrait-drawing-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/portrait-with-charcoal-old-man\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Portrait Drawing with Charcoal<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Portrait-Drawing-with-Charcoal-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Secrets to Drawing: The Nose and Mouth Description Lesson Description Lesson Twenty-Three of The Secrets to Drawing Course focuses on the essential facial features of the nose and mouth. These features are critical in capturing likeness, expression, and character in a portrait. In this lesson, students learn how to draw the nose and mouth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1786","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1786"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45947,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1786\/revisions\/45947"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}