The eye is the most expressive part of your portrait drawings. It is also the most detailed, and many artists opt to simplify the details as much as possible, which removes the soul from the portrait. Luckily, you can break down the different components of the eye to make it easier to draw and understand.
The Lids
When drawing an eye you should first concentrate on the shape of the lids. Think of the lids as the frame of the eye. They create the entire look.
Here are some things to consider when drawing the eyelids:
- Are they almond shaped, round, or oval?
- Are the lids very thin, or do they look like they have a layer of fat behind them?
- Do the eyebrows hang over the lids, making them less visible?
Next, look at the shape the eyelids make around the eye. This is not a flat plane of flesh. It curves around the eyeball. Remember this when making contour lines and shading.
The Eyeball
Now, look at the eyeball. Think of it as a sphere set into and under the lids. Beginners often make the mistake of drawing the eyeball. No, the eyeball is merely suggested by how you draw the eyelids.
The Center of the Eye
The center of the eye includes the pupil, iris, and the cornea. Basically, this translates into a thin, dark ring, a colored ring, and a black circle in the middle. Take a look at the example picture. The dark ring is not always black. In this picture the person has blue eyes and so the ring is a darker blue. Also, the iris, or the dark circle is not always black. It can have different reflected shades depending on the light and the eye color. If you are drawing with colored pencils or pastels this is important to note.
Also notice that the colored area of the eye is not just a flat color. There are different patterns of color that will translate to the drawing, even if your drawing is in black and white.
Remember, most of the time, the center of the eye will not be fully visible. Part of it will be covered by the lids.
Finishing Steps
The last step of drawing the eye is to add the finishing touches. These are the lashes, tear duct and highlights.
To learn more about eyelashes see How to Draw Eyelashes.
The tear duct can make or break the realistic look of your eye. This is in the very corner of the eye and looks like a little, wet, pink oval set into the lid beside the eyeball.
Highlights should be added to the pupil and the tear duct. These are the areas where the most light is reflected. Make sure to look at your light source before adding your highlights.
With these simple tips your eyes will go from flat and boring to realistic and soulful.
Alina Bradford - Alina Bradford is an artist with around 20 years of experience and 12 years experience as a professional writer.
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