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How to draw eyes: a simple technique (part 1)

by Vincenzo

 

Learning how to draw eyes is regarded by many artists as a fundamental skill. The reason being that eyes are considered one of the most important facial features.

Just by looking at them we can tell if a person is angry, sad, happy or playful.

 

Consequently it's imperative that they are drawn correctly and in such a way to convey the feeling of your subject.

This tutorial is thought to be a first step along the pathway to good eye drawing and it is intentionally not complicated.

 

The eye drawn within the tutorial is semi-realistic because I want you to focus on more general aspects of the drawing and I do not want you to be distracted by too many details at the same time.

 

You'll see however that even if not perfect, the eye you'll be able to draw looks pretty good anyway and will allow you to start drawing and practicing immediately.

 

Let's get started!

 

how to draw eyes 01

 

The first thing you need to know is where to position the eye in the face. Contrarily to our deceiving perception of faces, eyes are positioned normally along the midline of the head.

 

Once you have traced the midline and a vertical line to divide the face in two halves, further divide each half midline in three parts. The central of these three segments will be the exact position for your eye! Easy as shown in the image above.

 

Let's name the main parts that compound the eye: there are the upper and lower lids, the sclera (the white of the eye) the iris ( the larger colored disc) and the pupil (small and black).

 

how to draw eyes 02

 

Let's get to the juicy part of how to draw eyes now!

 

I have used a 2H pencil for this drawing, if you want to know more about pencils and grades look the pencil article in the drawing supplies section.

 

Let's start by drawing a rectangle roughly divided in half by the midline you draw on the face. Further divide the rectangle in four parts (I promise this is the last division).

 

From the intersection point on the left (if you are drawing the right eye just invert everything I say :D) trace a first line to the first point as shown in the image. From that point draw three more lines as shown to trace the shape of the eye.

 

Get rid of the grid lines now and add one line for the upper lid and one for the lower lid as shown in the image. Follow roughly the profile of the eye. Now draw the iris and the pupil right in the middle of the iris. Remember, iris and pupil are always concentric and the diameter of the iris is normally slightly longer than the aperture of the eye vertically.

 

 

how to draw eyes 03

 

Ok now do not get scared by this big eye looking at you from the net! :)

 

Let's start working a little bit within the iris. I have selected as light direction for the drawing the upper right. It is shown by the small light reflection in the pupil.

 

Continue to Part 2

 

 

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