Video 22: The Eye

The eye is considered by many to be the most telling facial feature. Often, we can look
at just the eyes of someone and recognize them. The eyes really are the “windows to
the soul”. This lesson is devoted to drawing the human eye. Although there is no
formula for drawing the eye, there are some steps that can be followed that will aid in
producing a drawing of a realistic looking eye.

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 The first step is to define the
shape of the eye by drawing a
contour line as seen in the
image to the right. In this
demonstration, a left eye will
be drawn.

Next, the shape of the iris is

drawn. The shape of the iris
is a circle that, for most, will
extend beyond the shape
drawn in the previous step.

The pupil and highlights are

defined with lightly drawn
lines. It is important to define
their locations before value is
added to the pupil or iris.

The pupil of the

eye is colored in
with a dark value.
The highlights
are avoided.

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 Mid tone values are added
that extend out from the pupil.
These values will be darker
closer to the pupil and around
the edges of the iris.

By layering the applications of

value, realistic depth can be
created in the pupils.

A starburst pattern can be

observed extending out from
the center of the pupil. In
lighter eyes, this pattern is
more prevalent.

Since the eye is a

sphere, value
that gradates
from the corners
is added to the
drawing.

3
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 The eyelid hangs
over the eye. This
usually results in
cast shadow just
underneath.

A slight bit of
shadow is added
to the bottom of
the eye to further
the illusion of a
spherical form.
This bit of darker
value also creates
n e c e s s a r y
contrast.

Shading and value

is added to the
tear duct in the
corner of the eye.
Attention should
be given highlights
that may exist on
the tear duct which
will create the
illusion of a wet
surface.

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 A line for the eyelid
is added. A bit of
core shadow is
added to the
underneath side of
the eyelid creating
the illusion of a
protruding form.

Shadow is added
below the bottom
eyelid. This will
make the area just
underneath the
bottom eyelid look
as if it is receding.

As the shadow is
added, attention
should be given to
the texture of the
skin. By adjusting
the values and the
amount of
pressure applied
with the graphite,
the illusion of
textured skin can
be achieved.

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 Gentle wrinkles
can be added as
the skin values are
addressed. Strong
contrast in the
wrinkles will result
in an “older” eye.

Shading and
texture is added
above the eye as
well. Since the
eye actually sits
within a recess in
the skull, this
shading is
important in
creating a realistic
eye.

Eyelashes are
added to the
drawing using the
”checkmark rule”
Eyelashes will
resemble small
checkmarks that
extend out from
under the eyelids.
Eyelashes in
quadrant 1 will be
most abundant
and the longest.
Quadrant 4 will
see the shortest
and least
a b u n d a n t
eyelashes .
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 As the eyelashes approach
the midpoint on the upper
eyelid, the marks become
vertical. In quadrant 2, they
will “check” to the left.

Eyelashes on the bottom of the

eye begin just below where the
bottom eyelid touches the eye.
This small piece of skin should
be visible between the eye and
the start of the eyelash.

After the shape of the

e y e b r o w i s d e fi n e d .
Deliberate marks can be
added to create the illusion of
hair.

While there is no
true formula for
drawing anything,
following these
steps and
observing your
subject along the
way will aid you
in creating a
drawing of a
realistic eye.

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