In this Guide, I’ll demonstrate how to draw the Eye using Charcoal and Coloured Pencil; which we called mixed Media. I will explain charcoal eye drawing each step of the drawing process to you so that you can understand it.
We begin by drawing the shape of the eyelids, then move on to the iris and the surface of the eye, and finally complete the image by adding the eyebrows, eyelashes,
and the surrounding shade that brings everything together.
The eyes are one of the most commonly portrayed parts of the human body by artists.
The importance of getting them properly cannot be overstated, and you do not require drawing a full face in order to perfect this skill.
This tutorial will walk you through each stage, giving you an example of how one artist handles sketching the human eye. Keep in mind, however, that there are many other ways to draw the human eye.
In order to properly grasp the art of drawing eyes, there are various components that we need to learn. However, in this post, I will try my very best to help you comprehend the mysteries underlying the basics of drawing eyes.
I will also take you through the easiest way to draw eyes without putting you through too much unnecessary pain. How do you draw eye? Don’t forget to share your process of creation here:)
What Will You Need?
VIDEO TUTORIAL:
STEP 01: USE A HIGH-QUALITY REFERENCE IMAGE
When sketching an eye that seems realistic, a good reference image is crucial. It aids in establishing the proper eye size and eye shapes, as well as the positioning of features and reflections.
STEP 02: TRACING METHOD :
Draw the outline of the eye in the drawing’s first step. I always find it helpful to indicate the beginning and conclusion of the drawing with little markers on the left and right,
and I constantly adjust my reference image to the precise size and the to draw eye shapes that I want to draw in order to ensure that I get the proper proportions.
STEP 03: DRAW A THIN OUTLINE OF THE EYE
Draw the outline of the eye in the drawing’s first step. I always find it helpful to indicate the beginning and conclusion of the drawing with tiny markers on the left and right,
and I constantly adjust my reference image to the precise size I want to draw in order to ensure that I get the proper proportions.
STEP 04: LIGHTEN THE SKETCH
Before adding more details, I’m going to grab the kneaded eraser to lighten the sketch.
STEP 05: DRAW EYE PUPIL OF AN EYE
For this eye drawing, I’m going to first fill in the pupil area with the charcoal pencil before blending it out with tissue. The darkest part of the eye is often the pupil, although you might also notice that some shadows are quite dark.
Along with it, I’m also drawing the Spokes that radiate from the pupil at the center.
STEP 06: DRAW EYEBALL (IRIS)
I’m going to start drawing the complicated pattern you can see in the iris or eyeball, which has textural structures like crystals, fine threads, and spots mixed combined with these colors.
I’m creating a delicate, three-dimensional effect by gradually modifying values with the Faber-Castell Polychromes Colour pencils shades down below:
- Helioblue reddish 151,
- Earth green yellowish 168,
- Dark Naples Ochre 184,
- Dark cadmium orange 115,
- Phthalo Blue 110 and
- Black 199
As I am only painting the dark/shadowed patterns here, it is crucial to retain the areas for the highlights. Because when using colored pencils, it might be quite difficult to go back and remove highlights.
All of the strokes are going in and out while the reference image is followed
as I work on developing the darker tones located within the iris.
With colored pencils, directional stroking is crucial; else, all of these designs will appear flat and fake.
With those lines and several black dots, I cover most of the area. Since each eye is different and has subtle abnormalities, there isn’t really a “formula” for drawing eyes; rather,
it’s these characteristics that make drawing eyes so enjoyable and engaging.
STEP 07: ADD SHADOW IN AN IRIS
I’m going to add some black thread texture where it is needed with the charcoal pencil.
The dark black outline of the iris will be drawn with a 6B charcoal pencil
once I’m finished with the basic texture, and it will be erased with the blending stump.
Be sure to use the kneaded eraser to remove any extra charcoal to
create a neat and clean appearance for the iris.
STEP 08: DRAW HIGHLIGHTS
To draw Eye Highlights; Using a Tombow Mono Zero eraser, add some skin texture and highlights. Where the light naturally falls, near the tear ducts and eyelids, I add highlights.
The drawing will transition from “normal” to very realistic after this stage is completed.
You can see here that there is a significant portion of the narrated section of the eye
where I am not adding a great deal of shading
but rather simply adding some very mild curved lines with the Helioblue reddish and Phthalo Blue.
In addition to that, I am incorporating some Dark Naples Ochre and Dark cadmium orange into the reflections.
After that, I’ll proceed with the Helioblue reddish and black color to draw the dark flex of the iris. Because these textures are quite uneven and wavy, the remaining space will be filled with a great deal of detail.
In areas where there is a predominance of white, I have added a touch of phthalo blue to the background.
As can be seen, the iris of the eye consists of a variety of values and forms and
all I’m doing is ensuring that I cover each and every component in the appropriate location.
Now I’m using the Electric Eraser to remove some of the spots that will be highlighted later.
Because of this highlight, the impression will be created that the eye is being narrated.
After that, I’m going to go in with the Phthalo Blue to adjust some of the details.
Therefore, there are two processes for adding information to the iris.
The first option is to add contrast to the region and then erase the highlighted sections, while the second option is to leave the highlighted areas unsaturated and only draw the shadowed areas.
I have therefore used the Second method here. Any of them are up for selection.
STEP 09: DRAW EYE LASHES REFLECTION IN THE IRIS
I’m going in with a black color pencil to add the last of the details to the shadows or the dark patterns.
After that, I will proceed to draw the Reflection of the Lashes onto the iris.
Make careful to create the reflection of the eyelashes with the mechanical pencil first,
and then go back over them with the black color to make them darker.
After that, I’ll use the Phthalo Blue and Dark cadmium orange colors to
add the reflected colors of the iris behind the reflected eyelashes. This will be the last step.
STEP 10: UPPER EYELID WITH CHARCOAL
Now we’re going to move on to the black-and-white section.
First of all, I’m going to draw the top eyelid of the eye with this 2b Charcoal Pencil,
and then I’m going to blend it out using a dry brush.
Always Be sure to completely mix the foundation layer
because doing so helps the upper layers sit smoothly on the paper.
Before adding the skin texture on top of it.
A Charcoal 4B pencil is what I use to draw the eyelashes.
Starting at the root, “flick” your pencil lead off the paper
as you draw the eyelashes so that they are thickest at the root and thinnest at the tip.
After that, I will apply a layer of dark shadow over the outer corner of one eye, followed by an additional coating of eyelashes, and finally, I will blend everything out once more with tissue paper.
After that, I will finish by applying the final coating of eyelashes and using tissue paper to delicately blur the edges.
STEP 11: LOWER EYELID (EYELASHES)
Now The orientation of the eyelashes is pulled upward and then down while applying mascara to the bottom lashes. Therefore, there is a lower concentration of them than there is around the edge of the upper eyelid.
Therefore, you need to make sure that you blend it well and add layers so that it appears authentic and understated.
STEP 12: ADD SKIN TEXTURE
After the Eyelashes, I’m going to add the Skin texture along with the details inside the eye which includes the Retina(threat-like Structure) so for drawing that I’m using the Black Coloured pencil and then I’ll move ahead and adjust the lights and darks.
After twerking up the details, I’m going to finalize the eye.
We’re finished with this overly realistic sketch of an eye. I really hope you’ve had fun with this and that it’s taught you something new. Remember to check out the video tutorial when you get a chance.
