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 :)
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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.
i cant DRAWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 HE;LLLLPPPP MEEEHHHHH
imagine if algebra was spelled algebruh that would be very cool i think
random much????????
Very helpful tips! Thank you so much!
I love sketches eyes because no other organ can express as much as eyes can in drawing.
Like this moving drawing www(dot)showflipper(dot)com/the-scared-eye-3295
😁I can’t seem to get the drawing right
They end up lopsided😢lopsided
This is terrific. I’m a beginner and just learning to draw faces so this helps a lot. Thanks Darlene!
I really appreciate your online tutorials, Darlene. At 60, I’m new to drawing. Could you advise me on drawing men’s eyes? The eye tutorials are beautiful, but clearly they are female eyes with mascara and shaped eyebrows. Thank you!
My first eye wasn’t great but my second was AWESOME!
This tutorial was great! I did it… mine looked pretty good, but my eye shape was a little off. Thx! Hey can you do an anime tutorial #ILoveAnimeDrawings!! Thank U!
How do you shade and how do you get better at drawing because I am not that good at drawing and i want to get better.
One way is to use the side of the lead but you can also lightly smudge it with the tip of your finger.
sooo cool it helped a lot with shading……
After 40 tears of letting my sketching lay dormant, the reminders help it click again.
You helped me so much! :):):):):):):):):)
I am a really not a good drawer but you and your steps helped me to get better! You are amazing at this! :):):):):):):):):)
This is very nice article beginer like me
I liked it and it is a very good Idea that you did this because I was very good at drawing eyes but know since I have not drawn in a long time I can’t really draw them anymore.
Equal work is supposed between steps but between step 6 and step 7 a lot of work was done! Not just shading but also more details.
Allergic to work? The amount of work put into anything your doing directly translates into quality and craftsmanship in the finished product. So again, the amount of work is up to you, as is the finished work. Sorry for coming across abrasive, but taking the time to leave a comment about the amount of work makes me assume you are one of two things. A) you are a millennial child who all share the self-entitled, unmotivated, silver spoon fed personality traits, or 2) you are a troll. Both equally damaging to the people you are wrongly criticising. In the end, we all lose by missing out on potential “greatness” from people giving up from your misguided and hurtful comments. Please my friend, just step back and let the “good” shine in this world and continue on your search for a place full of misery and negativity that you are looking for.
Thank you for the tutorial, It was very helpful. Now I can make much better drawings of people! Thank you!:)