How to Draw Different Eye Types Step by Step

by easydrawingtips

This tutorial shows how to draw three common variations of eyes with step by step pencil drawing examples and instructions for each type.

Eyes different types drawing step by step

The three variations of eyes in this tutorial include:

Inner Angled Eyes
Non-Angled Eyes
Outwards Angled Eyes

The instructions and examples consist of two parts, the line drawing and the shading.

In this case the line drawing will be used as more of a “construction frame” for the shading instead of a stand alone drawing. For this reason please be sure to make very light lines that will blend into the shading once you are finished. The lines in some of the examples have been made darker simply so that they are easier for you to see.

Very importantly please note that as the shading process for each set of eyes is very similar so the first example provides the most detailed instructions. It’s recommended that you read over these regardless of which pair of eyes you want to draw. The rest of the examples have less instructions to avoid repetition.

Drawing Inner Angled Eyes

This example of the eyes is angled downwards towards the nose. However please don’t confuse the angled guide lines in the next step with the angle of the eyes. The “eye angles” in this tutorial refer to the balance of the overall shape of each eye.

Step 1 – Draw the Outlines of the Eyes & Eyebrows

Begin by making a pair of lines that will act as guides to help you make sure that the top and bottom halves of each eye are similar in proportion to the other. Draw the outlines of the eyes based on these lines (as shown in above example). Also be sure to space the eyes far enough apart that you can fit at least one other eye between them.

As short distance above the outlines of the eyes add the basic shapes of the eyebrows. At this stage you can do it with just a pair of lines for each eyebrow.

For this pair of eyes the eyebrows will be angled a fair bit towards the nose similar to the eyes.

Step 2 – Add the Eyelids

Around the shapes of the eyes draw the outlines of the eyelids. After that add the bridge of the nose that will merge into the eyebrows as shown in the example.

Finally you can also add a pair of curves between the outer parts of the eyebrows and the out tips of the eyes. These will help define the shape of the “around the eyes” area of the face.

Step 3 – Draw the Irises & Pupils

Erase the guide lines from the first step and inside each eye draw the iris and pupil. As the eyes in this case are in a fairly relaxed/natural state the top portions of these should be covered by the eyelids. If you make the entire iris visible the eyes can end up with a “crazy stare” kind of look.

You can also add another line to the bottom of each eyelid to show their edges/thickness.

Step 4 – Draw the Highlights & Other Details

At the inner end of each eye draw the tear duct areas. Afterwards add a small outline of the highlights inside each pupil (light being reflected by the eye). The shape of these highlights will generally be determined by the shape of the light source. You will want to leave these areas white when shading.

Step 5 – Begin Shading

Before you begin shading anything (eyes included) it’s a good idea to be aware of the setup of the lighting. In this particular case it will be fairly generic as though the subject is outside during the day or in a well lit room with the light coming from above. This means that most shadow will be cast downwards and the areas that and “indented” will tend to be darker.

When you being the actual shading process make the initial layer of strokes fairly light. The goal of this step is to create something like a “shading map” for yourself. If you press on the pencil too hard you may make some areas too dark in relation to others to the point where it no longer has enough dark value to create the correct difference between them. This is why you want to apply the shading gradually in several layers. While eventually the initial strokes will be covered by more layers of shading it’s still good practice to maintain their proper distance and direction.

For the eyebrows try and apply the strokes in the direction of the growth of the eyelashes and keep a good amount of space between them to create the effect of hair. When shading the inner parts of the eyes (irises/pupils) you will want to do the opposite and completely blend the strokes to show that those areas are smooth and reflective.

For more good drawing practices also see:

Beginner Guide to Learning to Draw

Step 6 – Continue Shading

Apply the next layer of shading strokes on a slight angle to the first layer so that they create a crosshatch. The only exception to that in this case can be the inner ends of the eyebrows. As the hair there tends to grow in pretty much one direction you can keep making all of the strokes in the same direction as well.

For an explanation of different stroke types see:

Shading Techniques and Stroke Types Drawing Tutorial

Step 7 – Refine the Shading

Darken the shading further by applying more layers of strokes bringing it close to the light/dark contrast you want to have in the finished drawing.

Step 8 – Finish the Eye Drawing

Fully darken the shading and smooth out the gradients (transitions from light to dark). To smooth out the gradients you can slightly blend the strokes in areas where they are too visible and add filler strokes wherever there might not be enough shading.

Once done with the shading add the eyelashes. To create these make quick curved strokes drawing outwards from the edge of the eyelids. Apply a good amount of pressure to the pencil and then quickly pull it away from the paper.

You can trace over the eyelashes with more sets of strokes if they don’t come out dark or thick enough the first time. You can use a similar method inside the eyebrows and make some very dark short strokes (especially towards the outer ends) that show individual hairs.

Drawing Non-Angled Eyes

These types of eyes don’t have much of an angle in either direction. Again similar to the first pair of eyes don’t confuse the angled guide lines in the next step with the overall angle of the eyes.

As already mentioned the “eye angle” in this tutorial refers to the overall balance of the shape of the eyes.

Step 1 – Draw the Outlines of the Eyes & Eyebrows

Star by drawing a pair of angled guide lines that you can then use to help you draw the outer shapes of the eyes.

Draw each eye with just two curves, one for the top and one for the bottom split by the lines. Be sure to leave enough space in between the eyes to at least fit in another eye.

After you finish the eyes draw just a few lines to get the shape and angle of the eyebrows. In this case they will again be angled towards the nose but less so than the previous example.