Eye Design

Welcome to this tutorial! make sure to download and print the free worksheet below to help you practice :D You can also grab the reference sheet to help you come up with more ideas.

Step 1. Base Shape

Start by drawing the overall shape of the eye and the crease, you can use a variety of shapes to express the characteristics of the eye that you are drawing. The shapes can be broken into 3 categories, you have rounded eyes, triangular eyes and rectangular ones. In the example image I am using a more triangular shape which makes the eye feel more intense.

Play around with different shapes and see what you prefer!

Step 2. Highlight

Draw in the shape of the highlight, I do this step early on because I like to make sure that I dont draw over this area. Here I have used a long rectangle and a circle as the highlight, you can also use a large circle and a small one or any other shape that you want to try.

Step 3. Circle & Pupil

Draw in the circle of the eye which will be cut off towards the top, we usually only see the bottom section of the eye, and the pupil. You can play around with the shape of the pupil by using any shape that you might light, I will commonly use a sharp line that resembles the eye of a snake. Make sure to fill in the dark of eye and dont cover the highlight shape we drew in the last step.

Step 4. Eyelashes

Add in the eyelashes, pay attention to the curve of these lines because they tend to curve to one side and then upwards. It takes a lot of practice to get used to drawing these types of curves so feel free to use an eraser and try multiple times until you get comfortable with it!

Step 5. Eyebrows

Draw in a guideline for the eyebrows that describe the overall shape and then add in the lines for the hairs. I have a step by step eyebrow tutorial here that you can use to help you with this step.

Step 6. Decorate

Add some decorative elements such as heart, stars or anything else you want to use. 

Step 7. Shading & Details

Add shading and other small details to finish out the drawing, one key area to focus on is below the top line of the eye’s base shape, you can see how I have drawn extra lines under to give the eye dimension.

Repeat the steps above until you get comfortable and always make sure to play around and have fun! Drawing is supposed to be freeing and enjoyable so don't worry if you struggle at first, it's all part of the fun.

Example Drawings

Here are some examples of the drawings I have done using the method taught through the worksheets, these are really quick and easy to do once you learn each step and get comfortable with them. You can also see which designs you like the most and replicate them in your own unique way! :D