To draw realistic eyes, follow these step-by-step guidelines:
Materials Needed
- Pencils of different hardness (e.g., HB, 4B, 6B or 8B)
- Eraser
- Blending stump or tortillon
- Paper
Steps to Draw an Eye
1. Outline the Eye Shape
Start by sketching the almond-shaped outline of the eye. The inner corner
(near the nose) is usually lower than the outer corner
. 2. Draw the Iris and Pupil
Inside the outline, draw a circle for the iris. Then draw a smaller circle in
the center for the pupil. Add a highlight spot on the iris to indicate
reflection of light
. 3. Shade the Pupil
Fill in the pupil with a dark pencil (6B or 8B), keeping the highlight area
clean and white
. 4. Add Details to the Iris
Draw lines (spokes) radiating outward from the pupil within the iris. Use
different tones and thicknesses to add texture and depth. Shade softly around
the iris to create a rounded look
. 5. Draw Eyelids and Tear Duct
Sketch the crease of the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid line. Add a small
shaded area for the tear duct on the inner corner of the eye
. 6. Add Eyelashes
Draw eyelashes with curved lines, varying their length and direction. For a
more realistic look, make lashes thicker and darker near the eyelid and
lighter toward the tips
. 7. Shade Around the Eye
Shade the whites of the eye lightly and add shadows around the eyelids to give
the eye depth and realism. Use a blending stump or finger to smooth shading
. 8. Final Touches
Darken the pupil and iris edges, refine the eyelashes, and clean up the
highlights to make the eye pop
. This process can be adapted for different styles, from simple sketches to semi-realistic or photorealistic eyes
. Watching tutorial videos can also help visualize these steps in real time
. By practicing these steps and observing real eyes carefully, you can improve your eye drawing skills significantly.
