Welcome to RapidFireArt! I'm Darlene, and in this tutorial, I'm thrilled to guide you through the process of drawing a realistic eye. With these simple, step-by-step instructions, you'll be amazed by what you can create. So grab your pencils and let's get started!
UPDATE: By popular demand, I've also included a comprehensive tutorial on drawing a pair of eyes. Get ready for an even deeper dive into the art of eye drawing!
To create your masterpiece, you'll need the following tools:
- Mechanical Pencil with 0.5 mm HB and 4B Ain Leads
- Derwent Graphic 6B Pencil
- Kneaded Eraser
- Blending Stump (learn how to use them here)
- Smooth Bristol Paper
Let's dive right in!
Step 1: Outline the Shape of an Eye and Highlight
Using an HB pencil, lightly sketch the shape of the eye. Remember, we're aiming for a light outline to avoid it showing through in the end. The square shape in the pupil represents a glare from a window or another light source. Feel free to experiment with different shapes, like circles or ovals.
If you're struggling with drawing a realistic eye shape, iris, or eyebrow, I've got you covered! Check out these helpful resources:
Step 2: Shade the Pupil
Grab your 6B pencil and gently fill in the pupil. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as you'll want to be able to erase and make corrections if needed. If you want a darker shade, you can go over the area again. Just remember to keep the highlights clean!
Step 3: Shade the Iris
On a separate sheet of paper, smudge some graphite into a small area. Use a blending stump to rub the area until the graphite transfers to the tip of the stump. This technique will help you fill in the outer area of the pupil. Don't worry about perfection here—sloppy smudging adds depth and character to the eye.
Step 4: Draw Spokes
Grab your 4B pencil and draw spokes radiating outward from the pupil. Feel free to overlap some of the spokes to create thicker lines, adding visual interest to the eye. Leave some areas untouched for now; we'll fill them in later.
If you're loving this article, check out another realistic eye tutorial here!
Step 5: Blend the Iris
Now it's time to use the blending stump to fill in the white space in the iris. Be careful around the highlight and avoid applying too much pressure. When you're done, you should still see the lines coming out of the pupil. If most of the lines have disappeared, you either blended too forcefully or didn't press hard enough when creating the spokes.
Step 6: Add Depth
To give the eye more depth and roundness, use the 6B pencil to create a shadow under the eyelid. This simple step works wonders in bringing your drawing to life.
Step 7: Shade the Skin
Now it's time to add some realism to the eye! Shade the eye whites and the skin around the eyes. Leaving the eyeball completely white will make it look unrealistic and lacking depth. To master this technique and learn how to make eyeballs appear round, check out this detailed tutorial on shading eye whites.
Use a 4B pencil to darken the creases and make the highlights pop. The kneaded eraser comes in handy to lighten certain areas, like the eye whites, lower lash area, brow bone, and inner corner near the tear duct.
If you want to enhance your shading skills, don't miss my shading tutorial!
Step 8: Draw Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Let's bring our eye to life by adding eyebrows and eyelashes. Remember, when drawing the eyelashes, use curved lines instead of straight ones. Grab a thin HB pencil for the eyebrows and go darker with a 6B pencil for the eyelashes. Take a final pass over your drawing and darken areas such as the pupil, creases, and shadows. Clean up the highlights to make your drawing POP!
For a super-detailed tutorial on drawing eyelashes, click here.
Step 9: Touchups
To add those finishing touches, include eyelash reflections, subtle blood vessels, and darken the overall drawing. Don't be afraid to use a wide range of shades when drawing eyes. Going dark can make a huge difference! I used to stop at step 8 because I was afraid of ruining my hard work. But going the extra mile with softer pencils adds depth to your drawings.
I hope you enjoyed this simple step-by-step tutorial on drawing a realistic eye with pencil. If you have any questions or requests, feel free to let me know in the comments below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
Looking for more eye tutorials? Check out:
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