How to Draw Eye - Step by Step!, by Art By Ali Haider on YouTube. 29 min 57 s.
- Video length
- 29 min 57 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Set out a charcoal pencil, a stick of charcoal, a blending stump, a kneaded eraser and a sharpener. Use a reference photo of an eye and a sheet of drawing paper.
Draw a light X and Y axis on the paper to mark the eye's width and height. Use the crossing point to centre the iris and keep both sides even.
Sketch the iris as a circle and the pupil inside it. Outline the iris edge, then shade the iris in thin layers, leaving the bright highlight clear.
Shade the left side of the sclera with light charcoal, keeping the white of the eye brightest near the iris. Blend gently so the corner looks rounded.
Draw the upper lashes on the left side with short curved strokes. Start at the lid line and flick each lash outward, making the outer lashes longer.
Add fine veins and texture in the left sclera with a sharp charcoal point. Keep the lines faint and follow the curve of the eyeball.
Outline and shade the right side of the sclera to match the left. Build the darker corner slowly and blend the edge into the iris.
Draw the upper lashes on the right side with the same curved stroke. Vary the length and spacing so the lash line looks natural.
Shade the lower lid and add the tear drop at the inner corner. Keep the tear area light and crisp, then add short lower lashes.
Check the whole eye and deepen the darkest areas: pupil, lash roots and outer corners. Lift small highlights with a kneaded eraser.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your charcoal sharp for lashes and veins, and use the side of the stick for soft shading.
Do not rush the iris; build it in light layers so the paper texture still shows.
Sharpen charcoal pencils carefully and keep the blade away from your fingers.
Use a reference photo with clear light and shadow, and check the eye shape before you darken it.
Questions
Do I need charcoal to draw this eye?
No. You can follow the same steps with graphite pencils, but charcoal gives darker darks and softer shading.
How do I keep the eye highlight white?
Leave that spot bare from the start or lift charcoal with a kneaded eraser before you finish.
How long does a realistic eye drawing take?
A first attempt can take about an hour. The shading and lashes take longer than the first sketch.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
