Learn How to Draw

Learn how to draw using RFA’s simple, easy to understand and detailed drawing tutorials. These step by step drawing lessons are designed for people of all ages and skill levels.

Don’t be discouraged if you get stuck! I offer FREE one on one support where I provide you with specific drawing techniques, tips and suggestions which are tailored to YOU :)

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How to draw a nose from the front – 7 easy steps

Here is a very simple step by step tutorial on how to draw a nose from the front view. Below is a diagram of a nose broken down into 3 separate parts: the bridge, the nostrils and the ball or tip. Breaking things down into sections will make drawing noses a breeze! We will first use simple shapes/forms as guidelines to construct the shape of the nose and to maintain symmetry.

I will be using the following materials for this nose drawing tutorial:
– Mechanical Pencil with 0.5 mm HB lead by Ain (If you’re a beginner, it may be hard to shade with a mechanical pencil. You can use a blunt HB pencil for a smoother shading and blending experience).
– Kneaded Rubber Eraser
– Blending Stump (learn how to use one here)
– Canson Bristol Paper (smooth side)

How to Draw a Nose Step by Step

Step 1: Start with a circle

Draw a circle for the ball of the nose and 2 curved lines on each side for the bridge. Keep the strokes light so they can be erased in later steps.

Step 2: Draw simple guidelines for the nose shape

Draw a horizontal line through the middle of the circle and a diamond-like shape around it for the nostrils.

Step 3: Shade around the nose bridge and tip

Shade around the outer part of the bridge and around the inner part of the circle, making a long “U” shape. You will notice the shading is thicker at the top of the bridge. That is because the bridge of the nose leads into the brow bones. Don’t worry if the guidelines you created earlier didn’t blend in with your shading. We will darken the drawing later.

Click here for a tutorial on how to draw a nose from the side

Step 4: Draw the nostrils

Follow the diamond shape to create the nostrils. Now it’s starting to come together!

Step 5: Shade the nostrils

Shade the nostrils and remember to leave some areas untouched so you can do some highlighting later.

If you’re having difficulties shading, click here!

Step 6: Shape the nose

Shape and contour the bridge and ball of the nose. You can shade around the top of the circle to make the nose look pointer or shade the middle of the circle to give it a flatter look. Use the eraser to dab areas which appear too dark, any lines that show through or areas you want to highlight.

Step 7: Blend your shading

Next, you want to use a blending stump (learn how to use a blending stump here) to gently blend out the skin and give it a softer look. Add some touch-ups and go over your highlighted areas once more with a kneaded eraser. You can try different diamond shapes as well as circles to create more unique nose shapes. Experiment with shading to achieve longer, flatter, or more defined noses and so on.

Want to see another example using the same method? You can follow along with the full video below. It covers a different nose and includes a few extra tips.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve learned how to draw a nose from the front, try the side and 3/4 view next! After that, try applying what you’ve learned by applying them to a full face!

Draw a Nose (Side View)

Learn how to draw a nose from the side view step-by-step using a simple, easy-to-follow construction.

Draw a Nose (3/4 View)

The 3/4 view is one of the most common angles in portraits. Learn how the form shifts as the nose rotates.

Draw Noses (3/4 Tilts)

Take it further by drawing the nose from upward and downward angles. This helps you understand how it looks when the head tilts.

Note: These nose tutorials use a slightly different construction than the Loomis method, but both approaches work and can be used together.

how to draw a face from the front using the loomis method

Place the Nose (Side View)

Learn how to place a nose on a face with correct proportions using the Loomis method.

how to draw a face from the side using the loomis method

See How It Connects in the Profile View

Understand how the nose aligns with the forehead, lips, and chin in the side view of the head.

how to draw a face from the three quarter view using the loomis method

Apply It to a 3/4 Face

Learn how to place the nose correctly on a 3/4 angled head using the Loomis method.

Darlene Nguyen

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.

How to Draw Eyes Step-by-Step (Realistic Eye Drawing for Beginners)

177 Comments / Featured, Learn How to Draw

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!

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!!

how to draw eyes step by step_rapidfireart

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, but from the side!

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.

Want to learn how to draw a more detailed, eye-catching iris? Head over to this eye tutorial!

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 (includes a free printable eyelash worksheet).

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 it didn’t turn out exactly how you wanted, don’t worry. Eyes take practice, and each attempt will get easier.

Ready to build on this? Let’s take the next step.