SSSDrawingTutorials
Drawing is simply a line going for a walk ~Paul Klee
This is a more detailed step by step tutorial for the eye. It splits the video tutorial into individual phases for you to follow along with and help you draw the eye. This is a good way to see the evolution of the drawing in each of its phases. You can use this with my video to see how I do it. For this drawing you will ned a 2B or 3B pencil, or a pencil set, an eraser, an A4/A3 sheet of paper and a blending stub or tissue (or you can just use your finger).
Good Luck!
Step 1: Outline phase 1
For the outline, first draw this oval like shape. You will notice that the highest and lowest points are not directly parallel to each other. The tip on the right is the tear gland. Notice how the tips on both of the sides are not pointed, but curved. The iris is quite big in relation with the whole eye, and takes up a most of the space. The line above is to show where the eyelid is and will help with measuring the length of the eyelashes. The bottom line is to help show the tiny gap between your eye and the eyelashes on the bottom.
Step 2: Outline phase 2
First add in the pupil which is a smaller circle in the near centre of the eye. Make sure to notice the white blocks which will be te reflections of light, giving the eye depth in shape. The lower eyelashes are small and thin. They grow gradually as they go across the eye to the left side, but not as much as the upper eyelashes. Use sharp flicks and varied lines to construct the eyelashes. They dip and curve into the lower line as before. However instead of drawing these eyelashes into the eye, you will want to draw them on the lower line drawn before, leaving a tiny gap between the eye and the eyelashes.
Step 7: Shading the Rest of the Eye
Add lgiht shading to the rest of the eye, taking care to notice the darkest areas will be around the iris and the borders of the eye. Shade in the shape (ie. Use curved lines that follow the shape of the eye) you would like to emphasise, which will giv depth to the eye. Use an eraser for any final highlights.
Eye Tutorial
Step 4: Shading the Iris phase 1
The next step is to begin shading the iris. Shade in the pupil completely black, avoiding the white blocks to represent the light reflection. Make the border dark and thick. It will thin out gradually as you reach the side opposite of the majority light reflections. The top will be the darker area and will be receiving the shadows from the eyelashes and the eyelid, Notice some eyelash reflections can be seen. (Only the tips of the eyelashes).
Step 3: Outline phase 3
The next step for the outline is to draw in the pupil and the light reflections. Drawing in the light reflections now, will help with shading later. If you keep these areas white, when shading it will be easier to see and develop a contrast. It also helps give the eye more depth. Note that the pupil can vary in size depending on the visual reference used. the upper eyelashes are similar to the lower ones, but far more pronounced. They grow very thick as you reach the end opposite to the tear gland. They also become longer and sharper gradually.
Step 5: Shading the Iris phase 2
Add triangular spikes that are pointing towards the centre along the border of the iris. All around the iris, gradually going outwards in layers, add in incomlpete diamond shapes that are centrally oriented. After shading this will give the effect of layered pigmentation in the eye. Vary the sizes slightly as you go further out.
Step 6: Shading the Iris phase 3
The border of the iris will be the darkest areas, shade in those spikes nearly black. The diamond shapes will also be dark so go over those with a heavier line now. Using a blending stub or a tissue, Blend together a lghter shade that builds from the centre of the eye outwards. To create highlights and bring out the layers of shading, use a highlighter to create the contrasts. Notice the areas between the spikes and a specific line on the right side of the iris are nearly white, creating a nice contrast in shading.
Step 8: Final Outcome
The finished, fully shaded drawing of the eye.
I encourage you to look at other drawings of eyes, other techniques and try to find one that best suits you when drawing. Look at other visual references and try to draw them. Practicing drawing the eye will help if you want to learn how to draw the face. Using the same shading technques will also help in many other types of drawings. When drawing the face, remember the eyes will be a lot smaller.
