Hi, welcome to RapidFireArt! My name is Darlene and in this tutorial I’m going to teach you how to draw a realistic eye using easy step by step instructions. This is my first tutorial, so I hope you enjoy it!
UPDATE: For a while now, you guys have requested a tutorial on drawing a pair of eyes. Here it is, along with a super in-depth tutorial as well!
For this tutorial on drawing a realistic eye, I will be using 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 one here)
– Smooth Bristol Paper
Let’s Begin!!
Step 1: Outline the Shape of an Eye and Highlight
Let’s start off with an HB pencil to sketch the shape of the eye. This outline should not be too dark because you want to prevent it from showing through in the end. We just need the basic shapes outlined at this point. The square shape in the pupil is a glare from a window or similar-shaped light source. You can use other shapes such as circles or ovals as well.
If you’re stuck on drawing a realistic eye shape, iris, or eyebrow, visit the 3 pages below:
Step 2: Shade the Pupil
Using a 6B pencil, fill in the pupil. Avoid pressing too hard or else it will be hard for you to erase if you need to make corrections later on. You can go over the area again to achieve a darker shade. Make sure the highlights stay clean!
Step 3: Shade the Iris
On a separate sheet of paper, smear some graphite into a small area. Use the blending stump to rub the area until the graphite has transferred to the tip of the blender (learn how to use a blending stump here). You will now use that to fill in the outer area of the pupil. This step does not have to be done perfectly. Sloppy smudging will make it turn out better, as well as give the eye more depth.
Step 4: Draw Spokes
With a 4B pencil draw spokes going outward from the pupil. Overlap some of the spokes to create thicker lines. This will make the eye look more interesting. Leave some areas untouched as they will be filled in later.
If you’re enjoying this article, click here for another realistic eye tutorial!
Step 5: Blend the Iris
Use the blending stump to fill the white space in the iris. Carefully work around the highlight. Don’t press too hard. You should still be able to see the lines coming out of the pupil when done. If most of the lines have disappeared, you have either used the blender with too much force, or have not pressed hard enough when creating the spokes.
Step 6: Add Depth
Use the 6B pencil to create a shadow under the eye lid to give the eye more depth and roundness.
Step 7: Shade the Skin
Shade the eye whites as well as the skin around the eyes. Don’t leave the eyeball white or else it will appear unrealistic and lack depth. For a more detailed tutorial on shading eye whites and how to make eyeballs look round, click here.
Darken the creases using a 4B pencil. Use the kneaded eraser to make the highlights pop, as well as dab areas of the eye that need to be lightened. For example the eye whites, lower lash area, brow bone and the inner corner of the eye near the tear duct.
Want to improve your shading skills? Click here to read my shading tutorial!
Step 8: Draw Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Fill in the eyebrows as well as the eyelashes. Eyelashes should be drawn using curved lines, NOT straight lines. To create the eyebrows, use a thin HB pencil. For the eyelashes, go with something darker, like a 6B. Go over the drawing and darken areas such as the pupil, creases, shadows and clean the highlights to make your drawing POP!
Click here for a super detailed tutorial on how to draw eyelashes
Step 9: Touchups
I’ve added some eyelash reflections, some subtle blood vessels as well as darkened the overall drawing. Try to use as many shades as possible when drawing eyes. Most people are afraid to go dark. Look at the picture in step 8 and compare it to the last step. Going dark makes a huge difference! I used to stop at step 8 too, because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to erase if my hard work turned into a complete disaster. This fear left me unsatisfied with all my drawings because they lacked depth. So take it a step further and make use of your softer pencils!
I hope you enjoyed this simple step-by-step tutorial on how to draw a realistic eye with pencil. If you have any questions or requests, let me know in the comments below!
So tell me… was that an easy eye drawing tutorial? Or does it need some improvement? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated :)
Related Tutorials
How to Make DIY Models to Enhance Your Drawing Skills
How to Draw a Teary Eye in 12 Steps
How to Draw a Hyper-Realistic Eye
How Draw a Realistic Eye From the Side
Ep 2: How to Fix Asymmetrical Eyes – Fix My Drawing Series
How to Draw Asian Eyes
How to Draw a Pair of Realistic Eyes
How to Draw Closed Eyes
How to draw 6 different eye shapes
How to shade an eyeball
Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.
Love love love all your drawings!!! Goood job!!!!!!!!!!
Aww thanks :)
I LOVED the strategy you used for the eyes, the eyelashes and the eyebrows ❤It has really helped me SO MUCH!! Do you think you can send me an email with more strategies?
Are these available to download/ print off? thanks
Dont worry, i worked it out :)
Wow your tutorials are wonderful and soooo easy to folliw at first it was hard but then i got pretty good(not to brag) and i coukd even sell my artwork!!(just kidding!) :)
wow so cool! When I drew eyes, they were always different sizes and wonky. Could you do some tutorials of drawing breakfast foods such as bacon and detailed eggs? Thanks so much! :) :D
I don’t have any of the fancy HB pencils or stuff like that, could I still draw it?
Of course you can :) You can use a regular school pencil (they’re usually HB). The other pencils mentioned will just give you darker values so that the eye will have more depth. If you’re using 1 pencil to draw this, you can apply more pressure to get the same effect (to a certain degree).
I usually have my own way to draw realistic sort of eyes (not as realistic as yours) but I decided to try a different sketch of eyes (yours) but I only tried doing it in HB pencil. It worked out really well surprisingly. I love your drawing.
Thanks Kayla, so happy it worked well for you!
I just downloaded your tutorial picture!
just started self learning how to draw, I hope you all the best and succeed in your art works!
That’s awesome! Thanks Dan!
i love your drawings!!!
Hello! This is a great tutorial, first off. Your art is beautiful. I was wondering, though, approximately how long does one of these drawings take you? I know they’re all different but, for example, this eye. How longing might just an eye take you to finish on average?
Thanks Lain. If I remember correctly, this eye took me around a week to draw because I had to plan out the steps very carefully for the tutorial. If I’m not writing a tutorial, a similar drawing could take me around 40 minutes to 1 hour without taking any breaks.
everyone is so talented i looked at all these comments and everyone did it except me ill never be able to draw i suck at this your drawing were really good and i followed each step carefully but im just not talented to be able to draw thanks for the tutorial ;(
Don’t say “never”, Gilbert! It took me roughly 8 years to get to where I am today (longer than most people). I wouldn’t exactly call it talent… It took a lot of time and commitment to develop this skill.
All I know is that, if you’re willing to put in the time, you’ll be rewarded by your hard work :)
Hey, a year after the fact all I can say is this:
“The greats aren’t great because from birth they can paint, the greats are great because they paint a lot.”
I hope you persevered. Keep persevering. Some people are innately more talented, some things you will have to work harder than others, but it is absolutely worth it. It’s not easy for anyone :)
Wow.. Amazing.. thank you so much for your tutorial..
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You are amazing! I drew an eye earlier in the day (it was horrible) and then drew this eye and it was instantly better. BY A LOT!
How do I know how big or small to make the eye relative to the nose and mouth? Also, where should I draw the eyes, like how close to the nose? And are there any ways to make it easier to draw both eyes symmetrical?
Here’s an article that will help you with the proportions :) https://rapidfireart.com/2015/12/07/how-to-draw-a-face-in-8-steps/
As for symmetry, I’m working on another eye tutorial now and will glaze over that topic. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my email list and I will notify you when the article is up on the site.
Hellow I am anuradha.i am trying to draw some poetraits.but i can t draw face correctly(eye lip and eyelash)can you help me.
Feel free to email me using the contact page with any examples of your work. I’d be more than happy to give you some constructive tips and suggestions :)
Hello,
I am unsure if this comment has already been posted, as I recently posted it but it disappeared. But I would like to know how to do Step One. I am VERY stuck on it. Your eye looks flawless but mine looks awful. I know you’re fantastic at this, and I am no true artist, but I still think I can do slightly better. Any pointers?
Hi Claire, feel free to shoot me an email via the contact page (you can attach images there). I’ll do my best to help you out :)
I am stuck on Step One, could you give me some pointers? I am having difficulties shaping the eye correctly, while yours looks flawless.
I also do not have an HB mechanical pencil. Is a regular HB sketching pencil okay?