| As with all features of the human face, it is | | | | Finally, notice the peculiar little shape in the inside |
| important that we do not draw the preconceived | | | | corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids |
| ideas we have about eyes. The eyes are the | | | | join. Be sure to draw this corner as observed in your |
| windows to a person’s soul and reflect much of | | | | particular subject. |
| the emotionality and personality of that person. | | | | * Eyelashes - The eyelashes sprout from the eyelids. |
| Therefore, they must be drawn exactly how they | | | | They grow in clumps and should be rendered that |
| are. | | | | way. Spend some time observing how eyelids grow |
| There is much to be said about the different parts of | | | | and are directed. Notice that very often the lashes |
| the eye, but here are a few guidelines that will get | | | | on the upper eyelid are much larger than those on |
| you started in the right direction: | | | | the lower lid. Eyelashes belonging to a particular clump |
| * Complexity - Like the ears, eyes are rather | | | | are frequently entangled. The eyelashes are usually |
| complex forms and therefore we need to be patient | | | | drawn at the very end. |
| and spend the necessary time to draw them as | | | | * The Iris - The iris is the circle of color in the middle |
| realistic as we can. Here are the important parts of | | | | of the eye. It is crucial for a good likeness that the |
| the eye: | | | | value of the color is rendering correctly. A dark |
| | | | | brown or a pale blue, for example, will appear very |
| - The surrounding bone structure | | | | smooth and even. Green and deep blue irises, on the |
| - The eyebrows | | | | other hand, will have the most design and contrast in |
| - The eyelids | | | | it. |
| - The eyelashes | | | | * The Pupil - The pupil is situated exactly in the |
| - The eyeball | | | | middle of the iris. As is the case with the iris, the pupil |
| - The iris | | | | is an exact circle (if a frontal view) and is always |
| - The pupil | | | | black. |
| * Eye Structure - The eyeball sits deep inside the | | | | Very often there is a circular highlight situated just |
| eye socket. The eye socket has a protruding rim at | | | | where the iris and pupil meet. This highlight adds quite |
| the top on which the eyebrow is situated. You can | | | | a bit of life to the portrait. Look for it and add it to |
| trace your finger all around the eye socket and get a | | | | your drawing. |
| good idea of its shape. It is within this rather | | | | * Eyebrows - The eyebrows play a very important |
| rectangular shape that we will draw the eye. | | | | part in the appearance of a person. They also have a |
| * Eyeball - The eyeball has a rather large spherical | | | | lot to do with the expression on the person’s |
| shape. In front there is a protruding egg shaped bulge | | | | face. They follow the shape of the upper rim of the |
| where the lens is located. The eyelids are stretched | | | | bone structure in which the eye is placed. |
| over the eyeball. | | | | * Placement - The distance between the two eyes is |
| For drawing purposes we are interested in that part | | | | on average exactly equal to one eye-width. Drawing |
| of the eyeball that we usually refer to as “the | | | | a vertical line from the inside corner of the eye down |
| whites” of our eyes. Now, those whites are in | | | | to the nose should touch the outside of the nostril. |
| general not white at all but have shadows on them | | | | Of course, these are average values and there are |
| which, at times, can be quite dark. Remember also | | | | individual differences. |
| that the whites are part of a spherical surface. So | | | | It is important to get a good impression of the |
| when shading the whites, we should think of the | | | | shape, angle, width, and exact location of the |
| elements of shading that are applicable to a sphere. | | | | eyebrows. Carefully observe the direction of the |
| * Eyelids - The eyelids are stretched over the eyeball. | | | | hairs and how they are intertwined. |
| Therefore, the curvature of the eyeball gives the | | | | Much can still be said about drawing eyes. For |
| eyelids their shape. This is something to understand | | | | example, we could talk about the differences |
| and memorize. | | | | between the eyes of men, women, and children. Or, |
| It is important to capture the exact shape of the | | | | we could talk about capturing expressions of anger, |
| eyelid lines and to recognize that they follow the | | | | laughter, or sadness, and much more. But the above |
| curvature of the eyeball. Also, when the upper eyelid | | | | guidelines will give you a good start. Later, you may |
| is retracted, it leaves a clearly visible crease which | | | | want to undertake a more thorough study of the |
| must also be rendered accurately. | | | | eye and how to draw it. |