Custom Search

How to Draw Eyes

Smart Art Institute Online - Drawing and Painting Art Lessons

Home | Jump to Eyes Step 1 | Next

In this lesson, "How to Draw Eyes," We will look at how to draw girls eyes. We will begin with the simple shape of the Iris and build an eye around it. Drawing a face is a complex challenge, so focusing some time on the eyes alone will be good practice for a full face drawing effort later.There are many ways to draw eyes, you can draw realistic eyes, draw cartoon eyes, or draw manga eyes just to name a few.

This lesson focuses on sketching a realistic eye but every drawing has some stylistic influence. Since this is a sketch, you will see the pencil lines in the finished product. Depending on the desired style of your portrait drawing technique, you may choose to blend your pencil marks with a blending stump to soften the lines. I have created this drawing lesson on a drawing tablet so that I could easily record the process. I found it difficult on the drawing table to blend the pencil lines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Now let's get started with the "How to Draw Eyes"
drawing art lesson.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 1
Begin by drawing the shape of the Iris. You can draw the full circle of the iris and then erase the top part where the upper lid cuts across the iris. This is what I did -The video shows it more clearly. Since this eye sketch too roughly 15 minutes, it is difficult to show an image for every part of the process. Once you ave drawn the iris, sketch in the pupil and begin to shape the eye opening. Observation is critical here. Be sure to look into those eyes and study their shape carefully.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 2
As you sketch the shape of the eye opening notice the angle for the opening, this varies from person to person. Notice how the inner part is lower than the outer! Shade in the pupil leaving a white spot. the white spot is the reflection of the light use dot photograph the subject. We are so accustomed to seeing this reflection, that eyes may seem lifeless without it. The reflections, glints and highlights in the eyes also let us know that he eye is smooth and wet. Notice that the upper lid and lashes casts a shadow on the eyeball. Fill in the iris with lines that radiate outward from the center of the pupil.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 3
Sketch in the shape of the lashes and the eyebrow. Also sketch in the crease where the upper eyelid creases into the eye socket. Then loosely fill in the upper lashes and the eyebrow. Notice how the hairs in the eyebrow flow. You can work that the direction of these hairs into your sketch.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 4
Shade the eye lid and strengthen the lashes and brow. I have added some of the hair that falls across the eye.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 5
Add some shading to help define the pumpkins roundness and the bumps. Continue to strengthen and refine your lines.

Eyes Drawing Lesson - 6
Using a charcoal pencil or fine tipped permanent marker such as a Sharpie, come back into the eye and darken the lashes, brow and pupil. Continue to polish your drawing until you are satisfied. If you you can't get there, try again. This was my fourth attempt at this eye and I would like to improve it further, which at this point means trying again from the beginning. The more you do it the more you learn and the easier it will get.

Congratulations you have finished this online art lesson,
"How to Draw Eyes!"

Great Job!

Smart Links

Return From How to Draw Eyes to the Home Page

Recommended Additional Learning:

Want to learn more on this topic? We’ve got you covered. Check out these resources:

(Please note that Drawingteachers.com receives affiliate payment for this referral.)

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

New! Comments

Have your say about our drawing lessons! Leave us a comment in the box below.