Learn how to draw the eye, step-by-step.
Newest

fateh
9d
Hey, this is my very first try at drawing eyes. Started the course yesterday. Any feedback?

draft_al
2mo
Here is my first attempt at eye exercises from the portrait fundamentals. Feedback is very much appreciated.
sean azzopardi
4mo
First attempt only had a regular pencil so couldn’t go super dark on the tone.
Sita Rabeling
5mo
First image is with graphite 4b on grainy paper - second was an earlier drawing with charcoal pencil on news print.

Arthur Gellet
10mo
Here is my drawing let me know if you have any advise would apreciate
French btw

ljiljana
1yr
My practice today.

norinski
1yr
Today's practice

fischei
1yr
Hey there community,
first time I post something I have painted. I would really appreciate feedback regarding the four eyes below. I practiced to get the proportions right lately but struggle on shading shadows etc. I felt also very exhausted when I finished one of these (one to two hours). Any tips on this?
nothanks
1yr
I feel exhausted and struggle to sit through a few hour drawing session as well. Take a break, get up and do some chores, make a snack, go for a walk, do some yoga, etc. It's also like any other form of endurance: your body will get stronger and used to it over time (even though you think it's just your brain and arm, how can it be that hard? It really is the same as a strength building routine - I say this as someone who works out and draws/paints haha).
If you're using a regular writing pencil, there is a limit to how dark those go. You can come in and emphasize the darkest regions with a ballpoint pen or marker (ballpoint pen is going to give you more ability for shading than a black marker which is going to only give you a flat black tone).
I noticed that the eyes seem too wide open, and maybe a bit big, in all of these. I think that is our brain's natural tendency to 'normalize' or 'iconize' things. E.g., our brains subconsciously like to think of an eye as an icon of an eye, so when you draw one you may think about what you're drawing more than observing the actual abstract shapes. Try not to think of an eye (or any body part) as that body part, instead focus on the abstract shapes and angles that they form.
I resized & traced over the photograph to give you a comparison.

Frei
1yr
practiced what I learnt

mrrandalevans
1yr
Tried this in photoshop. Would love feedback. Realize I have a lot to learn. Trying to practice intentionally.

paper
1yr
I think you got the value and shape on the pupil and iris pretty good.You also rendered the eyelash pretty well.
My biggest critique is the fact that I think you made the left upper eyelid a bit too light.I recommend darkening them to atleast the same value as the Iris.(Here's an example by Nicolai Fechin where he darkens the side of the eyes,if that help)
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reanimator
1yr
Hey all! Can anyone give me advice and critique on these eyes?
Mira Cle
2yr
Hi everyone, I really appreciated this lesson as well. Here is my first attempt from a picture. I think the shape is not really accurate. Any feedback is welcome.

Ron Kempke
2yr
Nicely rendered but your proportions differ from the model's. Your drawing appears to have been stretched horizontally. If portraiture is your ultimate goal, learning to see and reproduce correct proportions is essential.

judh
2yr
Your drawing is excellent; you did well in your lay in and shading. If I may suggest, I think the eyebrow needs to be a little darker. Best regards to you.
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Kiki K.
2yr
I love eyes so it was fun to learn how to draw them; I did 4. I am attaching a ref pic of the last one because it is looking extremely towards the right and the pupil is in a counterintuitive position. Any feedback is appreciated.
2yr
Hi @Cristina Kaiden, nice drawings!
In the top right study, it feels like the eyeball is a flattened egg shape, and the iris feels a little small
For me it helps a lot to lightly indicate the circle for the eyeball in the beginning. That way I can make sure that it's the right shape and the iris the right size.
I hope this was helpful :)
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Yuhan Cui
2yr
Eye. Any feedback or suggestions? Thanks!

John Harper
2yr
Good job... In all a very good attempt.
squeen
2yr
Very nice! Remember to shade the eyeball like a ball.
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Warren Bonett
2yr
Some eyes. Just doing a single page of each of the features to start with. I use a .5 mechanical pencils 2B. I’ll start using the conte pencils to run through the whole course on a second run. Reasonably happy with the the eyes though I find I have to be quite loose with my interpretation of the form in the tutorial. Such a huge variety of shapes. Deeply wishing I could be better faster! But having fun along the way.
2yr
Hi @Warren Bonett, Nice work!
I'll try to look for things to help you further:
Some of these appear a little flat. I haven't seen the reference photos but I think showing more of the thickness of the eyelids would help with that.
I also find it helpful to start my drawings by indicating the sphere of the eyeball. Wrapping the eyelids around it correctly, like the equator line on a globe can give more depth and being aware of the spherical form helps a lot in shading; the eye is basically shaded like a sphere.
I attached some images from a critique I did to another student, Tobias Höglund, whom I gave similar advice.
I hope this was helpful :)
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Victor Valverde
2yr
Why yes, I do hate shading. How could you tell?
2yr
these are good though! I especially like that glassy eyeball goodness in the bottom right! Great one!
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Christoph Krampitz
2yr
My first attempt.
Marco Sordi
2yr
Asked for help
Hi everyone. Here part of my daily assignment. Thanks for any comment or feedback. Have a good day.
2yr
Good job on locking the eyes on the same plane. The bottom of the eyes are lined up great but check the top eye lids also and see if they are on the same plane. Looks like the far side eye is bigger than the eye that is closest to us. I dig that nose by the way. Great job
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Erin Quick-Laughlin
3yr
Originally posted to FB group. Feedback requested.
Erin Quick-Laughlin
3yr
Self critique woman's eye: iris to large, too wide. Proportions in general need measuring to reduce "stretch"
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Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.