To learn how to draw lips, start with the line where the lips meet, then draw the top lip with a soft M shape in the middle and a fuller curve for the bottom lip. Two short lines toward the nose, an oval shine and a few texture lines make the lips look real.
Starting with the middle line, not the outline, is what makes lips easy: it sets the width and the shape of the mouth first. This beginner guide has six short steps, and the free PDF has the step sheet, a tracing page, a practice grid and a coloring page.
What’s in the free PDF
- Step-by-step sheet with 6 numbered steps; new lines are black, earlier lines are grey
- Tracing page with a large lips in light grey to trace over
- Practice sheet with a small reference and two boxes with a light grid
- Coloring page with the finished lips in bold outlines
How to draw lips step by step
- Middle line. Draw a long line that waves gently: up a little on each side of the center and down a little in the middle. This is where the lips meet.
- Top lip. From each corner, draw a line up to two small peaks near the middle, with a dip between them. This soft M shape is called the Cupid’s bow.
- Bottom lip. From corner to corner, draw a round curve under the middle line. Make it a bit deeper than the top lip.
- Lines toward the nose. Above the two peaks, draw two short lines going up. They show the groove between the lip and the nose.
- Shine. On the bottom lip, a little right of center, draw a flat oval for the shine.
- Texture. Draw a few short curved lines on both lips, running from the outline toward the middle line.
If your lips look flat, make the bottom lip a little fuller and keep the shine small. The shine is what makes the lips look round.
Lips drawing: common mistakes and fixes
- The middle line is straight. Give it a gentle wave; real lips dip in the center.
- The Cupid’s bow is too sharp. Round the two peaks a little so the top lip looks soft.
- Both lips are the same size. The bottom lip is usually fuller than the top lip.
- Too many texture lines. Three or four short lines on each lip are enough.
Trace, practice, then color
Trace it first
If drawing freehand feels hard, start with the tracing page. Go over the grey lines with a pencil, pressing lightly, and you learn the shapes and their order without worrying about mistakes. Then try again on the practice sheet.
Practice on the grid
The practice sheet has a small finished lips for reference and two boxes with a faint grid. Count how many squares wide and tall the reference is, then draw your lips the same way. The grid keeps the parts the right size next to each other.
Color the finished drawing
Color the lips with two shades: a darker pink or red near the middle line and the corners, and a lighter shade on the rest. Leave the shine white so the lips look glossy.
Lips drawing tips for beginners
- Use a mirror and look at your own lips while you draw.
- Draw the middle line wider for a smile and narrower for a small mouth.
- Practice the Cupid’s bow on its own a few times on the grid.
- Shade lightly with the side of a pencil under the bottom lip to make it stand out.
Download the pages one by one
Prefer a single page? Click a link to open the full-size image, then print it or save it. The PDF with all pages and a cover is in the download box.
- How to draw lips: step-by-step sheet (PNG)
- Lips tracing page (PNG)
- Lips practice sheet with grid (PNG)
- Lips coloring page (PNG)
More face drawing: how to draw an eye and how to draw anime eyes. Looking for more practice? Try 48 drawing ideas for beginners and simple drawing ideas.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw lips?
Start with the line where the lips meet, then add the top lip with an M shape and a round bottom lip. Drawing the middle line first sets the shape of the whole mouth.
How do you draw the Cupid’s bow?
From each corner, draw a line up to a small rounded peak near the middle, with a dip between the two peaks. It looks like a soft letter M.
How do you make lips look 3D?
Make the bottom lip fuller, add a small oval shine and a few texture lines, and shade a little darker near the middle line and the corners.
How do you draw lips for beginners?
Use the tracing page first to learn the shapes, then copy the reference on the practice grid. Counting grid squares helps keep both sides even.
