Welcome to RapidFireArt! In this tutorial, I will guide you through the process of drawing a realistic eye using simple step-by-step instructions. My name is Darlene, and I have 15 years of experience in creating art. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, I hope you find this tutorial enjoyable and helpful in improving your drawing skills!
Tools You’ll Need
Before we begin, make sure you have the following tools:
- Mechanical Pencil with 0.5 mm HB and 4B Ain Leads
- Derwent Graphic 6B Pencil
- Kneaded Eraser
- Blending Stump
- Smooth Bristol Paper
Now, let’s get started!
Step 1: Outline the Eye and Highlight
To begin, lightly sketch the shape of the eye using an HB pencil. Keep the outline faint to avoid it being visible in the final drawing. The square shape in the pupil represents a glare from a window or a similar light source. Alternatively, you can use circles or ovals for this purpose.
If you’re having trouble drawing a realistic eye shape, iris, or eyebrow, refer to the following resources:
- How to draw realistic eyes from scratch
- How to draw 6 different eye shapes
- How to draw eyebrows
Step 2: Shade the Pupil
Using a 6B pencil, carefully fill in the pupil. Avoid applying too much pressure, as it may make erasing difficult later on. You can darken the shade by going over the area again. Remember to keep the highlights clean!
Step 3: Shade the Iris
On a separate sheet of paper, gently smear some graphite into a small area. Use a blending stump to rub the graphite until it transfers to the tip of the stump. Now, use the stump to fill in the outer area of the pupil. Don’t worry about perfect precision; a slightly messy effect adds depth and interest to the eye.
Step 4: Draw Spokes
With a 4B pencil, draw spokes radiating outward from the pupil. Overlapping some of the spokes will create thicker lines, making the eye more captivating. Leave some areas untouched, as they will be filled in later.
If you’re enjoying this article, click here for another realistic eye drawing tutorial!
Step 5: Blend the Iris
Use the blending stump to fill in the white spaces within the iris. Be careful around the highlight and avoid pressing too hard. When done, you should still be able to see the lines emanating from the pupil. If most of the lines have disappeared, you may have used excessive force while blending or not pressed hard enough when creating the spokes.
Step 6: Add Depth
To give the eye more dimension and roundness, use the 6B pencil to create a shadow under the eyelid.
Step 7: Shade the Skin
Shade the white portion of the eye and the surrounding skin. Leaving the eyeball completely white will make it appear unrealistic and flat. For a more detailed tutorial on shading the whites of the eyes and creating round eyeballs, click here.
Darken the creases using a 4B pencil. Use the kneaded eraser to enhance the highlights and lighten specific areas like the whites of the eyes, lower lash area, brow bone, and inner corners near the tear duct.
Wish to improve your shading skills? Read my shading tutorial here!
Step 8: Draw Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Fill in the eyebrows and draw the eyelashes using curved lines. Avoid using straight lines for the eyelashes as they appear unnatural. Use a thin HB pencil for the eyebrows and a darker pencil like 6B for the eyelashes. Lastly, go over the drawing, darkening areas such as the pupil, creases, and shadows while ensuring the highlights are pristine. This will make your drawing truly stand out!
For a detailed tutorial on drawing eyelashes, click here.
Step 9: Final Touches
In this step, I’ve added some eyelash reflections, subtle blood vessels, and overall darkened the drawing. Using multiple shades adds depth and realism to your artwork. Don’t be afraid to go dark as it can make a significant difference. I used to fear going too dark, but pushing beyond my comfort zone allowed my drawings to have more depth. So, take a leap and make use of your soft pencils!
I hope you found this simple step-by-step tutorial on drawing a realistic eye with pencil enjoyable and informative. If you have any questions or requests, please let me know in the comments below.
So, was this an easy eye drawing tutorial? Do you think it needs improvement? Your feedback is valuable and greatly appreciated.
For more eye tutorials, check out:
- How to draw a realistic pair of eyes
- How to draw an eye from the side
