How To Draw A Pair Of Eyes Lesson

From the last edition we know what tools to use and paper type is best to draw on.

Now we'll start our drawing journey together ...

Draw the rough shape of the outside of the eye and the lines that indicate the upper and lower lids, the iris (colored part of the eye), and pupil.

Keep the lines light and sketchy until you're satisfied with the relative size and shape of all the elements.

Begin to lightly shade in the corners of the eye to indicate that they are rounded and slope back into the head.

The darkest parts of the eye will be the shadow under the upper lid, the ring around the iris, and of course the pupil. 

As you shade the pupil, carefully leave a place for the highlight to ensure that it stays bright white.

The highlight is crucial to showing where eyes are looking, so place it carefully, and make sure that both eyes are looking the same direction.

Make the eye come to life by adding darks and picking out highlights with a kneaded eraser.

There will be some reflected light in the corners of the eye, and fluctuations between darks and lights in the iris will help create the illusion of depth and mood. Blend darks with a paper stomp or tortillon.

Finally, add a few lines that indicate lashes. Just a few will do the trick. 

Make sure that there is a highlight under the lower lid, otherwise it can easily appear that the eyelid is very thin, or that the lashes are growing out of the eye itself.

Also, don't forget that the lashes often cast a shadow on the eyeball, so a few lightly shaded lines will give this impression nicely.

Want To Learn More ...

Drawing Made Easy is a simple course which shows you step-by-step how to draw ...

• people
• hands
• eyes
• faces

... and a whole lot more from beginning to end, and a goldmine of sample illustrations for further ideas.

With clear (and fun) instructions on how to draw ... you'll learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home

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Warm Regards

Chris Elmore
Drawing Made Easy