【Silver】Let's simplify and think! How Teeth Work

In this issue, in addition to the tips and tricks I pay attention to when drawing teeth I've compiled a list of places you frankly don't need to worry about!

The structure of the mouth is very detailed and difficult, so let's deform (simplify) the basics!

"Think in terms of lumps, such as surfaces."

By considering the teeth not "one by one" but as a "mass", it is easier to determine the angle at which the mouth is open.

Know that the lower teeth are the only ones that move structurally in the mouth, yet they move along the axis of rotation of the jaw!

When you are aware of the axis of rotation of the jaw, the mouth will look natural.

If you draw without being aware of the axis of rotation, you will end up with an impression of an outsider!

The "operating jaw."

As depicted in the second image, the upper jaw does not move, but the mouth moves as the lower jaw moves.

The axis connecting the lower jaw is not fixed firmly, but moves as if sliding when the mouth is opened.

...I have explained the mechanism of the jaw so far, but in fact, most illustrators draw without paying attention to the detailed mechanism of the bones...!

Although anatomically correct, few people are aware of it when drawing deformed characters such as in anime and manga.

Of course, I'm not saying you don't need to be conscious of it at all!

I think it is wonderful to have a drawing style that pursues reality.

However, I believe that what is necessary in character drawing is to lie well and make them look attractive, so knowing some structure will help make the pictorial lie more convincing.

A good deformer is a good pictorial liar.

Lying without knowing the truth at all is not very deceptive.

Take the mouth of the character in the lower right corner of the image, for example, all of her facial parts are It is deformed, isn't it? And of course, the mouth.

Rather than studying the structure in detail or thinking too much about it and not drawing, it is definitely faster to have a rough understanding and draw a lot of pictures, so please try drawing with only a plane view of the upper and lower teeth in mind.

So, to sum up today's article, "Think of the mouth opening as a plane, and be aware of the axis of rotation of the lower jaw! That's it!

I will also prepare an article on how to draw teeth, so please look forward to it!