As artists, we've all been captivated by the sheer allure of eyes. It's no secret that the eyes are the most expressive and often the most striking feature of a person's face. However, when it comes to drawing them, we often find ourselves in a pit of despair. Drawing eyes can be both challenging and intimidating.
Fear not! In this article, I'll do my utmost to demystify the basics of eye drawing. I'll guide you through a step-by-step process that will help you understand the intricacies of drawing eyes while minimizing the struggle.
What You'll Learn in this Tutorial
- The fundamental structure of the eye
- The role of eyes in the overall facial composition
- Different types of eyes
- How to draw realistic eyes, step by step
Materials Needed for this Guide
Before we dive in, gather the following materials:
- A piece of paper
- Graphite pencils, ranging from 2H to 8B
- A compass
- A ruler
- A blending tool
- An eraser
- A white gel pen or fine liner
The eyes you're going to draw:
Let's get started!
Section 1: Basic Structure of the Eye
To begin, let's cover some essential theory. Grab a piece of paper and draw along with me.
1. The Sclera
The sclera refers to the white part of our eyes, which not only covers and protects the eyeball but also comes in various colors, ranging from light blues to greens, purples, and grays. For now, let's represent it with a shaded circle to resemble a sphere.
2. The Upper Eyelid
The upper eyelid is a complex composition of tissues and muscles that shield the eye from external elements. As artists, we represent it as a cover-like shape that rests atop the eyeball. Due to its connection to the skin and muscles, it doesn't fully encase the eyeball but instead has small gaps on the sides.
3. The Lower Eyelid
Similarly to the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid is represented as a cover-like shape that connects to the upper eyelid and covers the eyeball.
4. The Iris
The iris is a perfectly round circle that sits right in the middle of our eyeball. Note that its shape may appear slightly altered when viewed from different angles due to perspective.
5. The Pupil
The pupil, another perfectly round circle, is located within the iris. It adjusts its shape based on the ambient lighting conditions, dilating when exposed to light and contracting in the shadows.
6. From Basic Shapes to Organic Form
Now, let's translate the basic eyeball shape into an actual eye, simplifying the details. Observe how the base of the upper eyelid is partially hidden by the lash line. This is due to the angle of view and the natural gravity that causes the skin to droop and partially cover it. On the other hand, the upper part of the lower eyelid (waterline) is always visible and plays a vital role in bringing the eyes to life. Additionally, notice the tear duct area, marked by a small green circle. Though it may not always be completely visible, it's an essential feature that should not be overlooked.
7. From Organic Forms to Realistic Eyes
Let's take a leap and transform our organic forms into realistic eyes by applying shadows and adding details. Although it may seem like a significant leap, remember that with a solid understanding of the structure, it becomes an achievable process.
8. The Side View
Before we proceed further, it's crucial to understand that the eye's structure remains consistent from different angles. However, the viewer's perspective may alter the perceived shapes and make it slightly challenging to draw eyes in various positions. For instance, when drawing eyes from the side, the tear duct may not be visible, and the iris appears as a thin oval extending from the eyeball. The pupil, hiding shyly behind the iris, is represented as a black oval shape close to the iris base to create the illusion of depth.
9. From Basic Shapes to Organic Forms (Side View)
Now, let's examine the side view of the eye. By using soft lines and mimicking the skin folds, we can transform our initial eyeball shape into a more organic and realistic representation. The upper eyelid, responsible for blinking and constant movement, is more defined than the lower eyelid, which is affected by the surrounding cheek skin and muscles. A simple line can represent the lower eyelid effectively.
10. From Organic Forms to Realism (Side View)
To enhance the realism of our eyes, we can add skin texture, eyelashes, and other details. Don't worry if you're a beginner; hyperrealism can be overwhelming and a challenge to achieve. Instead, focus on creating a realistic look that resonates with your skill level. Take it slow and enjoy the process of bringing your eyes to life while understanding the underlying structure.
11. Facial Structure
Now, let's shift our attention to the overall facial structure. Imagine a skull, although not particularly attractive, it serves as a useful reference point. Observe the highlighted “eye mask” shape, which represents the eye sockets and nose bridge. This shape simplifies the incorporation of eyes into the face. By adding eyeballs, eyelids, and details, we can create a basic eye shape.
12. Some Volume Will Help
Taking the red areas, which represent the hollow eye sockets, and the eyebrows we previously drew, we can understand the interplay of light and shadow. The highlighted area between the outer eyebrow and the eye socket indicates where light hits, while the darkest area lies between the inner eyebrow and the upper eyelid. It's important to note that the skin around the eyes is influenced by the pulling of the cheeks, thus creating distinctive shadows.
13. Basic Shapes of Eyes
Though eyes come in various types, they can be deconstructed into similar irregular shapes. The red, irregular hexagons you see represent just a few eye shapes. By altering the angles and lengths of the lines, you can create numerous eye variations. Additionally, consider how the skin surrounding the eyes contributes to their overall appearance, often giving distinct characteristics influenced by factors such as age, weight, race, and health.
14. Adding Eyebrows
Eyes wouldn't be complete without eyebrows. Eyebrows provide definition, convey emotions, and add a finishing touch to the face. There are countless eyebrow shapes and densities, each contributing to a unique expression. For drawing eyes from the front, strive for symmetrical eyebrows.
15. Realistic Look
In this image, you'll notice that realistic-looking eyes were drawn using the basic structure we covered earlier. Pay attention to the inner eyebrow's proximity to the eye, indicated by the red marks. The green lines represent the skin's pull around the eyes, while the cyan lines demonstrate the direction and flow of eyebrow hair. Remember, drawing realistic eyes is the goal, so avoid getting caught up in hyperrealism, which can be overwhelming for beginners.
Now that we've explored the fundamental concepts, it's time to put theory into practice and draw a pair of eyes that are pleasing to the eye.
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Start by drawing a circle of medium size. Ensure it's not too small or too large, leaving room for two additional circles to fit horizontally, with a bit of space remaining on the sides.
Step 2: Draw Two More Circles
Now, draw two more circles, each adjacent to the initial circle. These circles represent the other eye and adhere to the principle that the distance between the eyes is approximately the width of an eye.
Step 3: Cut those circles in half
Using a soft line, divide the three circles in half, creating reference lines to guide your drawing.
Step 4: Draw Two Angled Lines
Starting from the inner top side of each eyeball, draw two angled lines that intersect slightly below the middle reference line.
Step 5: Draw Two Hexagon Irregular Shapes
With the lines in place, complete the eye shape by drawing an irregular hexagon on top of each eyeball. Ensure the shape stays within the boundaries of the eyeballs.
Step 6: Draw the Upper and Lower Eyelids
Now, we can add the upper and lower eyelids to our eye shapes. Refer to your preferred style and the type of eye you wish to draw.
Step 7: Draw the Iris
In the precise center of each eye shape, draw the iris, which sits within the boundaries of the eye. Take care not to position the irises too closely or too far apart from each other.
Step 8: Draw the Pupils
As we're drawing eyes from the front, place the pupils precisely in the center of each iris. Shade them slightly to give depth.
Step 9: Hint the Eyebrows
Extend two lines from the top of each eyeball, mimicking the shape of the eyebrows. These lines should taper as they reach the inner side of the eyeball. Pay attention to the protuberant area of the frontal bone, which influences the shape of the eyebrows.
Step 10: Organic Forms
Erase the guidelines and create organic forms by smoothly transitioning between each element. Focus on blending the shapes seamlessly.
Step 11: Shade the Eyeball
Shade the eyeballs to simulate a three-dimensional effect. Consider the direction of light and shadow, as well as how the eyeballs are hidden within the eyelids and facial bone structure.
Step 12: The Eyelids
Add shading to the eyelids, paying attention to the upper eyelid's skin fold and applying a thin, strong layer of shading. For the lower eyelid, apply soft shading as shown.
Step 13: Under the Inner Eyebrow
Emphasize the strong shadows beneath the inner eyebrows. Refer back to the structure part of this tutorial if needed.
Step 14: The Outer Eyelid
Apply shading to the outer eyelid to create the illusion of volume. Focus on hinting at the eye socket's border and the beginning of the cheekbone.
Step 15: The Eye Bag
The area between the eye muscles and eye sockets, often referred to as the eye bag, should receive subtle shading. The amount of shading may vary depending on the individual's unique features.
Step 16: Outer Upper Eyelid and Lower Eyelid
Continue shading the outer upper eyelid and lower eyelid, emphasizing the eye socket's border and the cheekbone's curve. This shading further enhances the illusion of facial volume.
Step 17: The Inner Border of the Eye
The inner border of the eye, where the skin is pulled most by the cheeks, receives strong light. Use your eraser to create highlights in this area and achieve a realistic effect.
Step 18: The Nose
Although we primarily focus on the eyes, it's essential to hint at the nose. Shade the areas highlighted in green, maintaining the nose's overall shape. Don't hesitate to use your eraser or kneaded eraser to refine the shading.
Step 19: The Nose Part 2
Between the eyes and above the nose bridge, there's often a slight protuberance caused by the frontal bone. Shade this area lightly to create depth and realism.
Step 20: The Iris
For the iris, draw thick and thin lines radiating from the pupil, indicating its texture and shading. Softly shade around these lines using a blending tool or by gently drawing over them.
Step 21: The Iris Part 2
Continue adding shading to the border of the iris, using triangular-like shapes that extend from the pupil to the iris. Adjust the shading with your eraser or kneaded eraser to create highlights and depth.
Step 22: The Eyebrows and Lashline
Using the lines highlighted for you, draw thin and thick lines to represent eyebrow hairs. Additionally, trace a thicker line just above the eye shape to indicate the lash line.
Step 23: The Eyelashes
Begin with a few curved lines as the foundation for the eyelashes. Gradually add more lines in between, creating a tent-like effect. Remember, the eyelashes appear longer on the outer side of the eye and shorter on the inner side.
Step 24: Final Step – Highlights
You're almost done! Add highlights to your artwork using a white pen or marker. Place highlights under some eyelashes, on the waterline, tear duct, and eyeball. Depending on the lighting conditions, you can adjust the placement. Additionally, create two small squares to represent a reflective window, curving them to account for the spherical surface.
Congratulations! You've completed your drawing. I hope this tutorial has helped you better understand the process of drawing eyes. Enjoy your newfound skills and keep honing your craft!
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Thank you for joining us on this artistic journey. Happy drawing!