Learn How to Draw Eyes Digitally!

With your digital art program of choice, we need to learn how to draw eyes. The reason why I focus a lot of attention to this area is that the eyes are most expressive point of the face.

The eyes tell certain emotions and where these emotions are being directed at. But before you start drawing eyes and how it conveys emotions, you need to understand the parts of the eyes.

That is, you need to know the anatomy of the eye! And to do that, we will start with a simple diagram to outline the basic characteristics of the eyes.

Draw your own copy of the eye that I will give to you.

1. Know the parts of the eyes

When you draw eyes, most of us are familiar that there are two main parts: the eye itself and the eyebrow. However, what about those things in between?

The eye is divided into several parts:

• Eyebrow
• Upper palpebral groove
• Upper lid
• Eyelashes
• Iris
• Pupil
• Sclera
• Lacrimal gland
• Lower lid and groove

Each of these characteristics is important as it will help you determine your character’s expressions, his or her gender, the type of mood he or she is currently experiencing, and even ethnic origin.

2. What each part means

As I draw eyes, I always look at the key parts of the eyes to determine how my characters will look like and the expression they will use.

The eyebrows are key ingredients that determine a character’s emotions. For instance, if one eyebrow is higher than the other, then my character displays a look of confusion. If the eyebrows are directed to the center, then there is a sense of anger.

The pupil is great to know where you want the viewer to look. Hence, if you wanted to emphasis on a particular part of your digital painting, have the pupils face that direction.

As for the eye lashes, no other part of the eye can compare to its effectiveness for stereotyping male and female genders.

While the upper and lower lids define the shape of the eye, character with a specific ethnic background are best done through manipulating the iris and the upper palpebral groove. With it, you can create many different ethnical eyes of people from around the world.

Age is usually defined by the lower lid and grooves. Wrinkles are generally seen at those areas more than other areas of the eyes.

But perhaps the most important part it including the lacrimal gland. Most often than not, artists forget about the tear ducts. These are very important in making your eyes looks real.

3. Draw eyes your own way!

With the basic anatomy of the eye understood, it’s time for you to draw an eye of your own. If necessary, copy your own eyes from a mirror. Note those major anatomical parts that I have listed.

This is your chance to draw eyes by using your brush tool to its full advantages. Combining the digital tools with your physical digital drawing pad to get the proper feel is the goal of this exercise.

At first, there are a few problems that you will run into.

For example, some difficulties can arise with drawing the iris. The best way to do it is to draw a dark pupil and pull strings from the center of the pupil to the outside. That way, your iris will look correct.

Other noticeable problems come with knowing how to make the eyeball 3d. This is where you need to learn how to draw the lacrimal tear glands. Use the smudge tool if necessary and smudge some parts of it around.

4. Expanding on how to draw eyes

After you have done your eye, try drawing the eyes at a different angle. You can do it by starting with a simple gesture sketch.

From there, you can add additional shadows to the eyes. Other tools to consider would be the dodge and burn tools. Use it to draw light and shadows.

Paint in little lashes once you have the main shadows in. Use black and white for now as your goal will be on focusing how to make the eyes stand out.

Aske yourself: where on the eyes would the light hit the eye and what are the resulting light that is formed? Use it to paint the reflections in the pupil.

Don’t forget about the tear ducts!

When all is said and done, you should have something that you’re proud of. Obviously, the next step would be to take what you have drawn and to add color to it once you have understood how light and shadows work on the eyes.

Thus, stay motivated as we are going to learn how to paint your eyes next!

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