By Matt Fussell
Drawing eyes can be a lot of fun. In fact, eyes are probably may favorite thing to draw. Make sure that you study your subject that your are drawing because the eyes can be a strong indicator of likeness.
When drawing the eyes, follow the steps outlined in the video art lesson below but at each step pay attention to your subject's information. Make the values, shapes, and lines that you see in your resource match what you are drawing.
Remember that every eye is different. Pay special attention to the values in the eyes. Most importantly, pay attention to the highlights and shadows that exist in the iris.
Getting the values right on the iris goes a long way in creating a realistic drawing of an eye. (More tips on drawing eyes can be found at the bottom of this page.)
1. Look at the eyes that you are trying to draw- I know- this tip seems pretty obvious. But many people try to draw what they think they see, rather than what they actually see. Look at the shapes, lines and values that are created and do your best to copy that info on your paper. Don't think about drawing eyes, think about drawing shapes, lines, and values.
2. Remember that every eye is different- No two eyes will ever look the same. Even if it is the same person's eye that you are trying to draw. This also includes left and right eyes. You must be able to look. (See tip #1)
3. Eyes are their own unique shape- Eyes are NOT ovals and eyes are NOT football shapes. They have their own unique shape that you must look and recognize. (See tip #1)
4. Eyes have a full range of value- Most anything that you draw or paint should incorporate a full range of value. Eyes are no different. If you need to use a value scale to ensure that you have used a full range of value- then do it. The darkest darks and the lightest lights should all be there.
Begin your drawing of an eye by drawing the outlines of the eye. Pay attention to the specific shape of the eye.
Draw a dark circle in the center of the eye for the pupil. Leave a little white circle for the highlight.
Start to add value to the iris of the eye. Draw in the value using lines that go outward from the center of the eye.
Continue to add value making the eye look more realistic.
Add a tear duct to the drawing of an eye. Add a bit of shadow to the ends of the eye as well as a bit of shadow underneath the eyelid.
Add a line for the top of the eyelid.
At this stage in the drawing, you can add a bit of value to indicate skin tone.
Now add eyelashes to the drawing.
Now begin to add lines for the eyebrows.
Finish the drawing of an eye by filling in the eyebrows and adjusting the value of the skin tone around the eye.
Here are some more art lessons that you may like...
