How to Draw + Shade Lips in Pencil

Learn how to draw and shade REALISTIC lips, step by step with pencil. There are many ways you can customize your drawing to make it extra unique, which I'll explain in the tutorial. With this lip drawing tutorial, you can learn how to draw any lip shape from SCRATCH!

For more examples, check out my other lip drawing videos which are linked down below...

✅ RELATED TUTORIALS
Understanding light / How to shade: youtube.com/watch?v=-WR-FyUQc6I
Shading Techniques: youtube.com/watch?v=tGx4sypoPjY
Learn to draw different lip shapes: youtube.com/watch?v=QjzB1qIvVkk
Triangle method for drawing lips: youtube.com/watch?v=mFVTfgXDBWg&t=1s
How to Draw a Smile w Teeth: youtube.com/watch?v=9GFcOaKXYyk

📚 Want to skim this tutorial? Read the web-version: rapidfireart.com/2026/05/29/how-to-draw-realist…

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✏️❤️ TOOLS I USED
HB + 5B Derwent Pencils: amzn.to/2GPXme7
Prismacolor Kneadable Eraser: amzn.to/2IRrYtR
SmudgeGuard Glove: amzn.to/2C7Sq14
Soft Tissue Paper: amzn.to/2JYkjwr
Canson Drawing Paper (If you want smooth drawings, look for paper labelled as "fine tooth" or smooth, but make sure it's thick so you can work it): amzn.to/2A5saTx
Try Canson Bristol Vellum, for super smooth drawings: amzn.to/2tGaWIr


⏰ SKIP TO TIMESTAMP ⏰
Intro - 0:00
Tools - 0:20
Lip construction - 1:00
Shading base layer - 6:17
Light planning - 9:50
Bottom lip shading - 11:49
Bottom lip highlights - 22:43
Top lip shading - 26:58
Bottom lip cast shadow - 30:32

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Merch: teespring.com/stores/rapidfireart

🧰 MY CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Overhead Camcorder for Tutorials (Canon Vixia HF R400): amzn.to/33foV8Q
Overhead Camcorder Mount: amzn.to/2TK76f1
Camera for every other angle (Sony a 5000): amzn.to/39Noc1p
Portrait Lens: amzn.to/2vSijBq
Macro (Closeup) Lens: amzn.to/2W7jk32
Lights: amzn.to/2w1nvmq
Light Bulbs: amzn.to/2Qbbu4A
Microphone: amzn.to/2xyv6cB

📢 If you enjoyed this video, help others enjoy it by adding captions in your native language. Thank you! - youtube.com/timedtext_video?ref=share&v=s3G…

DISCLAIMER
This content contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through the link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps fund free tutorials on the RFA channel and website. Thank you for your support!