Here’s a glimpse of the final painting in this tutorial.
How to Paint Eyes: Focusing on the Final Details
Interested in mastering the art of painting eyes? With most of the facial features already completed, it’s time to switch to a smaller brush and zoom in to add intricate details to the eye area.
It’s worth noting that Giovani also zoomed in on the original photograph to gain a clearer understanding of the areas that require attention.
The goal here is to add definition to the eyes while painting over the underlying line work, resulting in a painterly image that reflects your unique style.
Enhancing the Eyelids
If you’ve followed tutorials by artists like Sycra Yasin, you might have noticed that the upper eyelid often appears shadowed compared to the lower eyelid.
When it comes to painting eyes, you can adopt a similar technique to create depth and form in this specific area.
Start by using a dark color to define the upper eyelid, then accentuate it further with shaded and highlighted areas. Conversely, the lower eyelid tends to be lighter since it is more exposed to light.
Adding Intricacy to the Iris and Pupils
Moving on to the actual eye, you can introduce subtle touches of color to certain areas that may not appear distinct up close but contribute to the overall image when viewed from a distance.
Referencing the original photograph, incorporate lighter green splashes into the iris and hints of peach to suggest the blood vessels within the eyeball. This technique has been extensively used throughout art history and can be observed in the works of renowned artists such as Rembrandt.
Less is More when Painting
An important principle to keep in mind while learning how to paint eyes is that less is often more. This applies not only to eyes but also to other subjects!
You don’t need to obsess over capturing every intricate detail to achieve the desired effect. It is fascinating how much information in a painting is processed and completed by the human brain.
Therefore, by applying splashes of color strategically, you can achieve a remarkable effect when the painting is viewed from a slight distance.
Adding Highlights to the Pupils
With a fine brush at hand, blend the eye colors further to create a more refined appearance. To bring this facial feature to life, take note of the original photo, which usually reveals highlights from multiple light sources.
Painting the Eyelashes
When painting eyelashes on male subjects, you can represent them by depicting clusters of color rather than individually. On the other hand, female subjects often have more distinct and defined eyelashes due to the use of mascara and other cosmetics.
While focusing on the eye area, observe the original photograph to capture specific elements, such as the bright area where the eyelids meet the rest of the face. Here, a splash of color can effectively represent this detail without the need for excessive precision.
Achieving a Painterly Feel with the Right Brushes
At this stage, the portrait starts to come together beautifully.
It’s fascinating to witness how using the appropriate brushes can prevent a painting from appearing too digital, resulting in a stunningly organic, almost analog effect. Adjusting your transfer settings allows for interaction with the painting, enabling darker marks when applying more pressure with your tablet. This technique produces a warmer and more natural painting that truly reflects your individual artistic style.
Refining the Eye Shape
As the famous proverb goes, “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” When working on a realistic painting or caricature, achieving the correct eye shape is vital.
Notice the significant contrast present in the eyes. This deliberate contrast emphasizes this feature and makes your portrait stand out even more.
All those carefully added splashes of color will now play a crucial role as you take a step back and appreciate the overall effect of your portrait.
Working on the Rest of the Face and Incorporating Wrinkles
After zooming out and saving your progress, you gain a clearer perspective on which areas of the face still require attention.
When learning how to paint eyes, it’s essential to focus on the wrinkles surrounding the eyes and other facial areas. These wrinkles provide definition to the face, ensuring it appears human and avoiding an overly airbrushed appearance commonly seen in celebrity magazines.
Once again, refer to the original photo as a guide. While it may exhibit sharp contrast, you have the artistic freedom to control the depth of the wrinkles, ensuring your subject’s satisfaction.
Including wrinkles to a certain degree adds character and personality to the face. When creating a caricature, aim to strike a balance between accuracy and a touch of humor, ensuring your work is well-received and in demand.
Incorporating Neck Wrinkles
Observe the more pronounced wrinkles on the neck area. Using darker colors, paint these wrinkles to bring additional definition to your portrait.
Once again, exercise restraint to avoid creating an unflattering portrayal. As an artist, you have the ability to depict these wrinkles without overly emphasizing them.
With most of the underlying line work painted over, periodically toggle your layers on and off to ensure you remain faithful to the original lines of your portrait.
Continue zooming in and out, adding areas of definition, such as shading around the Adam’s apple and the right side of the neck. Since the face remains the primary focus of your painting, you can work relatively quickly on these areas.
We hope you enjoyed learning how to paint eyes. In the next lesson, you’ll witness Giovani’s process of adding realistic stubble to the face before completing the caricature.
Return to the How to Paint a Caricature Lessons Page.
