How to Draw Eyes

This tutorial on how to draw eyes will teach you the most important fundamentals of drawing eyes and creating a convincing human portrait.

In this lesson, we will not only demonstrate the process of drawing eyes, but also how to create volume in the image and give the eyes the most correct and realistic look. We will show you the basic principles of creating this part of the face using a professional, but very simple technique.

By learning how to draw eyes, you can create more convincing and voluminous human drawings, and to draw eyes correctly, you need to know its structure at least in general terms. To do this, visit our article about anatomy of the eye, where we explain in simple language everything an artist needs to know about the eye structure.

How to Draw Eyes Step-by-Step

Step 1: Draw the guidelines for the eyes

To draw the eyes correctly, you first need to create auxiliary lines. First, draw a vertical line that is the center of the face. Then draw a horizontal line that goes through the central part of the eyes, or more precisely, through the lacrimal caruncles.

Step 2: Define the eye boundaries

Now outline the edges of the eyes on a horizontal line in order not to be mistaken with their size in the future. The height, width, and location of the eyes are different for each person, but there are certain rules by which the eyes of all people are drawn. For example, the width of the eyes is approximately equal to the distance between them.

Step 3: Draw the upper eyelids

Now, using two arched lines draw the outlines of the upper eyelids. Remember, that the eye is actually a ball, and the eyelids are the thick shell of this ball. The bending of the eyelids is influenced not only by the circumference of the eye itself, but also by the pupil, which has an additional volume.

Step 4: Add the lower eyelids

Now, with the help of a couple more arcuate lines, draw the lower eyelids. At the same step draw the outlines of the lacrimal caruncles. Note that in our example the inner angles of the eyes are lower than the outer ones, but this is only an individual feature.

Step 5: Sketch the inner edges of the lower lids

As we already wrote above, the eyelids have their own volume, and this must be depicted in the drawing. The lower eyelids are at a greater angle than the upper ones, so we see the transverse edges of the lower eyelids. So, draw the lower lines of the eyes inside the eyelids, not forgetting to draw the inner edges of the lacrimal caruncles.

Step 6: Add the upper eye orbital lines

As already mentioned, the eyes are balls. These balls are located inside the orbits of the eyes, which are to be depicted. Just above the upper eyelids, draw the lines of the upper parts of the eye orbits. Their shape is also very individual, and depends on many factors. Under the lower eyelids, depict the barely noticeable outlines of the lower edges of the eye sockets.

Step 7: Draw the irises and pupils inside the eyes

Now, using perfectly round lines, draw out the outlines of the irises and pupils. The upper parts of the irises are not visible because they are covered by the upper eyelids. There should be a noticeable distance between the lower edges of the irises and the lower eyelids.

Step 8: Add the eyelashes

In order for the eyes to look more voluminous and convincing, it is necessary to draw the eyelashes. The upper eyelashes are thicker and tighter. This part of the eyes, like all others, is also very individual, and depends on many factors. Eyelashes can be both thicker than in our example and less thick.

Step 9: Erase the guidelines

To give the eye drawing a more finished and realistic look, erase all unnecessary auxiliary lines. To make the eyes look more expressive, erase small areas of the pupils, as shown in our example. In the future, this will turn into glare.

Step 10: Add shadows and highlights

Use hatching to paint over the pupils and irises, leaving round highlights as in our example. Next, using hatching, add shadows, taking into account the rules of light and shadow and the shape of the eyes themselves.

Step 11: Review and finalize the eye drawing

Make all the finishing touches, correct any inaccuracies if any. If you did everything correctly, then your eyes drawing should be approximately similar to our example.

Practice Drawing

Try Drawing Eyes of a Different Shape

You can draw eyes of a different shape by changing the curvature of the eyelids, the tilt of the corners, and the proportions between the upper and lower parts. In this example, the eyes have a slightly more elongated and narrow form, with sharper inner and outer corners. The overall structure remains the same, but small adjustments in line angles and positioning help create a noticeably different expression and character type. Use this variation as a reference when practicing alternative eye shapes.

Add More Realistic Shadows and Highlights

Also, you can try to make the eyes even more realistic by adding detailed eyelashes and refining the shadows and highlights. In this example, the lashes are drawn with individual curved strokes, creating a more natural appearance. The shading around the eyelids is softer and more gradual. Highlights in the iris and pupil are also more carefully placed, which helps convey a realistic reflection of light. Use this variation to practice more advanced techniques in rendering eyes with a lifelike look.

To improve your eye drawing skills further, try sketching them from different angles, with different expressions and different pupil positions.

Also try adding shadows to suit different lighting conditions. This will train your shadow drawing skills and improve your drawing skills in general.

Next, draw the eyes on the face, depicting all the other parts of the face, that is, the nose, ears, mouth, etc. This will help you understand the structure of the face and perceive the process of drawing the face more holistically.