Every artist who paints a portrait of someone must be able to draw the person's eyes. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing complicated about this. However, to make the drawing realistic, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances and small details. How to draw a person’s eyes beautifully with a pencil?
Structure of the human eye
The human eye consists of several external structural elements, each of which performs a specific function:
- upper eyelid;
- lower eyelid;
- upper eyelashes;
- lower eyelashes;
- iris and iris;
- eyeball(sclera);
- pupil;
- teardropper
To draw a person’s eye with a pencil, you need to take into account all the folds with smooth lines, shadows and much more, as well as choose the right location for the eyebrow. Otherwise, the drawing will seem implausible.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing Human Eyes
Drawing a person's eyes with a pencil requires several stages. Step by step, line by line, the whole image is formed from structural elements. The step-by-step process of drawing a human eye can be seen in the picture.
Step 1
First you need to draw the shape of the eye. To do this, it should be enclosed within a figure with corners. You immediately need to draw the folds that are visible above the upper and lower eyelids. You can also draw the shape of the eye from two perpendicular lines crossed with each other. The horizontal line should be longer than the vertical one. Then the four points are smoothly connected. There is a teardrop in the inner corner, without which the eye will look unnatural. External and internal corners can be drawn both on one and on different levels. Additional lines need to be erased.
Step 2
It is necessary to draw the iris, which should be round in shape. It is important to take into account that the third part of it is hidden by the upper eyelid. Inside the iris, strictly in the center, you need to draw a pupil and paint it dark.
Step 3
Then you can start drawing upper eyelid, behind which part of the iris with the pupil is hidden. To do this, the method of drawing lines in the form of strokes is used. The main thing is not to overdo it so that the eyelid has the optimal thickness and is darkened in the crease area. After this, you should draw the lower eyelid, which is highlighted from the inner corner of the eye.
Step 4
At the next stage, you need to draw a highlight near the iris on the pupil. It is depicted as a small circle. Opposite the glare, a spot of diffused light is formed, which is also located near the pupil, only on the other side. This is a reflex that needs to be drawn with smooth lines.
Step 5
The next step is to depict the eyebrows and brow ridges, which provide protection to the eye from external irritants. The eyebrow is always placed above the organ of vision and pushed slightly forward. It is recommended to first draw a test line, and then draw hairs from it. The eyebrows are thicker at the base than at the temple. The hairs can be placed in one direction or intersect.
The upper eyelid is higher than the lower one. In the photo below you can see all directions. They must be observed, otherwise draw realistic eye it won't work.
Step 6
The eyes must be framed with eyelashes. They can be drawn in advance, but last stages you still have to adjust it. Like everything else, eyelashes should look realistic, and not like in children's drawings, where they resemble daisy petals. In the photo below you can see correct design. The upper eyelashes are always longer than the lower ones, thick at the base and thinner towards the end. To do this, as each eyelash is drawn according to its growth, the pressure of the pencil must be reduced.
Step 7
The last step is necessary in order to remove auxiliary lines, remove unnecessary strokes, make certain places darker or lighter or darker. That is, bring your drawing to perfection.
Video: how to draw a person’s eyes with a pencil step by step
The video presents a lesson for beginners that will help you draw a person’s eyes with a pencil, taking into account each line. Having clearly familiarized yourself with the general recommendations, even an inexperienced artist will be able to draw a person’s face.
Anatomy. At first glance, it seems simple, however, it is a complex science. The bane of every artist is that you cannot move to the next level of professional skill without at least the slightest idea of anatomy. Most people never study anatomy, and this leads to a weak creative foundation that leaves a constant lack of confidence in their strengths and artistic abilities.
Therefore, it would be wise to devote some of your creative time to studying anatomy. At first glance, this may seem like an overwhelming step, but if you break it down, learning anatomy will be fun and easy for you!
Final result
1. Basics: Function and Anatomy
All human eyes have the same shape and structure: an oval with pointed edges, eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows. You can quickly sketch out a drawing of an eye and anyone will tell you what it is:
In this screenshot I will show you the following elements of the eye from top to bottom:
1. Brows: Protect your eyes from dirt and sweat dripping from your forehead.
2. Eyelid folds: created by the eyelid when the eye is closed. Eyelid folds form at the top and bottom of the eye.
3. Actual eye opening: when the oval shape of the eye is formed.
4. Eyelashes: Protect your eyes from dirt, strong light or sensory perception. In art, they emphasize femininity.
5. White of the eye: it is the main organ of the eye.
6. Iris: in reality these are muscles, just imagine! They contract and expand, increasing or decreasing the amount of light that enters the eye and reaches the lens.
7. Pupil: dark spot in the center of the eye. In reality, we see objects through the pupil because... Light enters through the pupil, which forms an image inside the eyeball.
8. Lacrimal nodule: on the inner corner of each eye. Our tears come through the tear nodules, which have a pinkish tint!
9. Skin fold of lacrimal nodule: on the outside of the inner corner of the eye, just next to the nodule itself.
2. Different Eye Shapes
Although the eye sketch we have drawn above is recognized as a human eye, the shape of the eyes varies depending on the race, geographical location and even age!
Let's look at the most basic criterion: race. If you look at the photos different nations, then you will definitely notice the difference. Let's look at a few basic shapes to see the difference:
3. Different angle and perspective
In the screenshot below you can see different angles of the eye to demonstrate how the shape of the eye changes depending on the angle at which we look at the eye:
4. Eyes: the mirror of the soul
We express a lot of emotions through our eyes. Regardless of the shape and shape of our eyes, we, as human beings, instinctively react to external factors that change our eyes.
We squint, we squint, we stare in stunned awe, we open our eyes wide when we are amazed or when we are afraid - just to give a few examples.
Below are a few eye expressions that can be detected by the simple human eye. So, try to quickly identify each emotion expressed and also sketch out the features of the eye expression. Practice so you can add more emotion to your characters:
5. Draw the eye
We now have some idea of the great variety that can be obtained using one eye. So let's continue with the lesson and put everything together.
Have that quick sketch we created earlier at your fingertips to start creating your art product and begin your journey to become the next Michelangelo!
Create a new document. Name the existing layer " Background", set the Foreground color to #dcb6a3 and the Background color to #963931.
Using a tool Gradient(Gradient Tool (G), gradient color from foreground color to background color, drag the gradient from left to right to create a flesh color gradient. Next, select a hard round brush from the settings Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter) set the option Pen pressure(Pen Pressure) and also set the Foreground color to #000000.
Translator's note: press the key (F5) to go to the brush settings. In parameters Dynamics of shape(Shape Dynamics) and Different dynamics(Other Dynamics), set pen pressure in settings Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter).
Create a new layer. Name this layer "Sketch". Draw the basic shape of the eye to your liking. You can use the eye shape as in the original result or choose any of the eye shapes we covered earlier!
6. Highlight the eye: white of the eye
Step 1
Let's start with the basic foundation - the white of the eye.
Despite its name "white", the eyeball is not pure white. It varies in shades of light grey, beige and red depending on the various blood vessels that run through it.
To start with it, create a new layer, place this layer between the "Background" layer and the "Sketch" layer. Name this layer "Eye White". Set the brush to off-white color #ddc6bc and use a hard round brush to paint the base color along the white of the eye.
Step 2
Create a new layer on top of the “White of the Eye” layer, then right-click on the created layer and in the window that appears, select the option Create Clipping Mask(Create Clipping Mask) to the “White of the Eye” layer. We use this layer for shading.
The eyeball has a spherical structure, therefore, more light will always enter the center due to the convex surface. Conversely, the further from the center, the less light comes in due to the eyelids/lashes, which creates shading, so we will use dark shades.
So, select the tool again Brush(Brush Tool (B), set the brush to a hard round shape, turn on the options Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter). Adjust the brush size as needed and set the brush color to #4f241e. Brush over the clipping mask along the edge of the eyeball to create a shading and 3D effect.
Step 3
Choose a darker shade, such as #220b07. Paint over top part the white of the eye to enhance the shadow created by the upper eyelid and eyelashes.
7. Draw the lacrimal nodule
Step 1
This area of the eye is not covered by skin, so we use more pinkish shades. Remember that there is no clear distinction between the eyeball itself, the flesh and the muscles that support that eyeball, they all react simultaneously and are connected together. Therefore, our pink tint will mix with the white of the eye, you will see this in a minute.
Set the Foreground color to #853c2e and the Background color to #5e2218.
Using the same brush you used earlier, color the inner corner of the eye using a lighter shade, and then add shading around the edges using a darker shade. Also, add a few touches pink color to the white area. In the screenshot below, you can see the result with and without our sketch:
Step 2
Next, set the Foreground color to #d77661 and the Background color to a white shade #ffffff, and reduce the brush size. Zoom in to make it easier to work with the details of the highlights. Add highlights to the highlights - use a light pink tint first and then add a bit of white as a finishing touch. This way we will create a feeling of a humid environment.
8. Iris and pupil
Set the brush color to #6b3826. Draw a circle in the center of the eye as in the sketch
Step 2
An eye with a white pupil looks a little scary, so using a black brush, paint the circle in the center of the eye again to create the pupil.
9. Adding Details to the Iris
Step 1
It's time to create a new layer! Place this layer on top of the "Pupil" layer. Name this layer "Iris Details".
The pupil and iris merge with each other in the white of the eye. Let's put it simply - they can't live without each other!
So, set the Foreground color to #240b02, then adjust the brush size to paint along the edges of the pupil and iris of the eye to blend them perfectly. At the same time, add shading to the top of the pupil to indicate the area where the shadow of the upper eyelid and eyelashes falls. Don't be afraid to go a little over the edges.
Step 2
Set the Foreground color to #54382a and the Background color to #3f2315. Vary the brush size down to the smallest diameter. Zoom in so you can easily apply light and dark strokes over the brown area. Try to keep the strokes coming from the center.
Step 3
Next, we'll add more detail to the iris. Set the Foreground color to #9b643f and the Background color to #511f05. Reduce the brush size to just a few pixels. Draw small veins of the muscle details. To switch color shades, continuously press the ‘X’ key. Also, feel free to add your own samples of color shades, which you can easily select using the tool Pipette(Eyedropper Tool (I).
10. Adding highlights
Because Our eye is looking a little flat, let's add some highlights!
Create a new layer and place this layer on top of the "Iris Details" layer. Name this layer "Highlights". Set the Foreground color to a white shade #ffffff. Add a lighter highlight first and then a richer highlight, creating a diffuse, large white dot. Repeat the whole process, adding a couple more small highlights:
11. Drawing the upper eyelid: curves and folds
Let's step away from the eyeball for a second and work on the eyelid, as well as the folds of skin around the eye. From my own experience, I will say that a painting looks great when you can see it in its entirety, and not in separate fragments.
Step 1
So, create a new layer on top of all other layers, call this layer "Skin". Install dark brown tint#2c0b02 as the foreground color, and a light pink shade #d3a594 as the background color. Choose the right brush size, start drawing around the outer contour of the eye, always keep the original sketch in mind.
Start with dark color, and then press the ‘X’ key to switch to a light shade. First, paint around the eye with a dark brush, and then using a light brush, carefully paint over the inner corner of the eye, where we have a light gradient transition.
Step 2
Following the details of our original sketch, using a dark brown shade, draw the crease above the eye.
Step 3
Next, set the Foreground color to #2b130d and the Background color to #bc8370. Start with a dark brush on the outer edges of the eye, and then use a light brush to carefully paint around the creases so that the contour lines don't look too harsh. In this work we do not use hard and precise lines, as well as contours, but use soft shapes.
Step 4
Next, set the Foreground color to #d5a197 and the Background color to #fcead8. Additionally, fade the hard lines of the creases, creating a transition from a dark pink shade to a light pink shade, constantly switching shades by pressing the ‘X’ key. If necessary, you can also use the tool Clarifier(Dodge Tool (O) with a soft round brush set to Sveta(Highlights) by unchecking the option Save shades(Protect Tones) to get bright highlights. Don't overdo it with lightening.
12. Draw the lower eyelid
Step 1
It's time to switch to the lower eyelid. We use the same technique as before.
If it will be easier for you to draw vertical lines, then you can rotate the image, for this we go Image - Rotate Canvas(Image > Image Rotation) and rotate the image 90 degrees. Again, this will be up to you.
Let's move on to creating the lower eyelid, set the Foreground color to #9e5b4a and the Background color to #fecfbb. Carefully paint over the bottom of the eye to match the bottom outline, and then use a light brush to paint over the top, adding highlights.
We will be working with four primary color shades: #260f0b, #642e22, #c88a7c and #eac0a9.
I suggest you draw samples of four color shades on a separate layer, this way you can easily select the desired color shade using the tool Pipette(Eyedropper Tool (I).
First let's touch up the lower right outer corner of the eye using subtle strokes of #260f0b, then move to the shallow crease of #eac0a9 to add some highlights.
Step 3
Select brush color #d18465. Brush underneath the eye as if you were applying concealer. You can also paint the top side if you feel it is necessary.
Next, select the brush color #eac0a9. Paint the outline of the lower left corner of the eye, as well as the tear corner to add highlights, as shown in the screenshot below. Pay attention to the second screenshot - it is presented as an animation to show you the difference between the previous step and this step:
13. Skin: retouching
All leather is a bit like plastic, isn't it?
It's time to fix it!
Choose a nice brick color like this #c54432 and apply lightly around the eyelids, adding additional color to the lower eyelid. Don't highlight them too much - it's not a zombie eye, so it shouldn't be a sore eye. Just a couple of gentle brush strokes to add more life.
Once you're done, change the foreground color to a soft purple #937fa3 and the background color to #b5544d.
Add shadow to the eyes towards the lower inner corner of the eye. This should help make your eye look more natural and vibrant!
At this stage you can add other small details like chiaroscuro. Again, in the screenshot below you can view the result in jpg format, as well as an animation comparison with the previous step.
Result in JPG format:
Animated comparison:
14. Leather: Adding Texture Touches
The skin is still too smooth - let's spice it up a little!
Set the Foreground color to #f2c8a0 and the Background color to #b5544d. Using the "Skin Texture" brush ( Translator's note: Skin Texture brush), which can be downloaded with a PSD file, carefully go over the skin, constantly pressing the ‘X’ key to switch shades. You should get a soft texture, like in the screenshot below:
15. Draw eyelashes
Step 1
It's time to create a new layer and name it...... "Eyelashes" of course!
Set the Foreground color to #1a0906. Select a hard round brush. In the brush settings in options Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation Pen pressure(Pen Pressure).
While on the 'Eyelashes' layer, start drawing eyelashes randomly. Below are a few points to remember when drawing eyelashes:
1. Eyelashes are never straight. Always draw the eyelashes slightly curled.
2. Eyelashes are arranged in a chaotic manner. Try taking a closer look at an image of an eye where the eyelashes are covered in mascara: as a rule, the eyelashes are stuck to each other and also curled.
3. Eyelashes are always thinner at the tips than at the roots.
Create a new layer, name this layer "Eyelash Shadow". Change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication Fills(Fill) to approximately 70%. Select the brush you used earlier, brush color #1f0b07. Draw some eyelashes in the lower outer corner of the eye. Next, go (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) and apply a soft blur of 1.5 px.
16. Eye Details: Adding Shadows for Depth
Now that we have a more complete picture of our eye, let's return to the eyeball and iris for some retouching.
Let's add more pop to the eye."
Create a new layer and place this layer on top of the "Skin" layer. Change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication(Multiply).
Set the Foreground color to #6f2719 and use a brush to gently paint over the bottom corner of the eye to enhance the shadows. See screenshot for comparison:
17. Eye details: iris
When compared to the entire eye, the iris still looks flat. Let's work on this!
Step 1
Select a small, hard round brush. In the brush settings in options Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter), select mode Pen pressure(Pen Pressure). Add some ray-like strokes closer to the pupil, as shown in the screenshot below:
Step 2
To create a highlight, create a new layer. Place this layer on top of the "Iris" layer. Change the blending mode to Lightening the base Fills(Fill) to approximately 40%.
Step 3
Create a new layer on top of the "Iris Details" layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening the base(Color Dodge), and also reduce the value Fills(Fill) to approximately 30%. Select a soft round brush, set the blending mode for the brush Dissolution(Dissolve). Using a brush, carefully paint around the iris. Next, merge this layer with the main iris layer (Ctrl+E):
18. Adding small details
It's time for the finishing touches!
Step 1
First we will add blood vessels.
Set the Foreground color to #5e2219. Select a hard round brush. In the brush settings in options Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) and Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter), select mode Pen pressure(Pen Pressure).
Reduce the brush size to 2 px and carefully paint small blood vessels in the corners of the eye on top of the white of the eye.
Create a new layer, place this layer below the "Skin" layer.
Change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication(Multiply), and also reduce the value Fills(Fill) to approximately 80%. Name this layer "Shadows".
Set the foreground color to #3e1408 and using a hard round brush, in the brush settings, use only the option Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter), brush along the edges of the white of the eye.
Step 3
Glimpses of humidity.
Create a new layer, name this layer "Moisture". Place this layer on top of the "Skin" layer.
19. Draw the base for the eyebrows
Step 1
We also need to draw the eyebrow, don't we?
Create a new layer, name this layer "Eyebrow". Place this layer on top of all other layers.
Set the Foreground color to #47190b. Select a hard round brush, in the settings select the option Fluctuation opacity(Opacity Jitter) and using a brush, draw a rough eyebrow shape.
Step 2
Select a tool Finger(Smudge Tool), in the settings of this tool, set the hard round brush, in the options Size fluctuation Pen pressure(Pen Pressure). Use your finger to smear your eyebrow to create hair texture:
20. Adding detail to the eyebrow
Step 1
Next, select a tool Brush(Brush Tool (B), set to a hard round brush, in the options Size fluctuation(Size Jitter) set the mode Pen pressure(Pen Pressure). Add eyebrow hairs:
Step 2
Set the Foreground color to #9a3d1e, in the options Opacity fluctuation(Opacity Jitter) set the mode Pen pressure(Pen Pressure), increase the brush size a few pixels, and then add rough highlights. You can freely apply strokes, soft, broad, to add variety.
Step 3
Last detail, reduce the brush size to 1 or 2 px—and using a thin brush, add some light highlights to the eyebrow:
21. Matching the eyebrow with the skin
Our eyebrow looks great, but it looks a little glued on. To fix this, we will combine the eyebrow with the skin, for this, create a new layer. Place this layer below the "Eyebrow" layer. Change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication(Multiply) or Linear dimmer(Linear Burn), depending on your preference. Next, reduce the value Fills(Fill) to approximately 40%. Name this layer "Eyebrow Composite".
Increase the brush size, set the Foreground color to a dark, bleached brown like this #502520, and use this brush to paint around the edges of the eyebrows. Next, let's go Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur(Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). Add a 3-4 px soft blur effect to get a result like the screenshot below:
22. Selective step: adding makeup
Moreover, we can now add makeup to our eye!
I chose soft fall shades #e88f04 and #572013.
Step 1
For the orange tint, create a new layer on top of the "Skin" layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Chroma(Color), and using a soft round brush, paint over the upper eyelid as shown in the screenshot below. Decrease the value Fills(Fill) at your discretion.
Step 2
Next, shadows. Create a new layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Multiplication(Multiply). Using a soft brush, paint shadows in the corner of the eye. Let's go Filter - Blur - Gaussian Blur(Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur), blur the shadows if you think they are too hard.
Step 3
Create another new layer, change the blending mode for this layer to Lightening the base(Color Dodge), and also reduce the value Fills(Fill) to approximately 30%. Set the Foreground color to #f7b283. First select a soft round brush, in the brush settings, select the mode Dissolution(Dissolve) and then use a brush to add a glitter effect. Next, select a makeup brush from the set you downloaded and use this brush to add texture.
Great job, we have completed the lesson!
Now you can draw your realistic eye. I hope you enjoyed this journey and learned something useful today!
Final result
Eyes are the mirror of the soul of any character. Therefore, by correctly depicting the eyes, you can not only convey the mood, but also the character of the hero. With just the eyes you can make both a negative and a positive character.
We recently studied with you, and we made this lesson in addition to the lesson "". The naturalness of the image depends on how you depict the eyes in a portrait. Therefore, if you are a beginner artist, we advise you to first figure out how to draw eyes with a pencil, and then start drawing the entire portrait.
It is very important to be able to draw a classic female eye without unnecessary emotions. Once you learn how to display such a drawing, you will be able to draw more serious expressions. 
The superhero's eye is always on alert! It's wide open and has a lot of glare. This is the eye of the interested character. Shadows and highlights will add volume and realism to any eye. Their correct location can save even a not entirely successful drawing. 
The eye, drawn by the artist’s hand, makes a colossal impression. And all because of the correct anatomy. All internal tissues and muscles of the eye are drawn correctly. 
It is very important to be able to draw not only eyes looking straight ahead, but also at a certain angle. For example, when looking up, the pupil reaches its maximum position, and the iris rolls behind the upper eyelid. 
Wide open eyes inherent in a child or a young naive girl. With the help of such eyes, create the right image. 
A frown is characteristic of capricious and daring heroines, or those who are overly self-confident. Therefore, try not to overdo it if you want to add just a little menacingness. 
A difficult viewing angle is always a challenge, because the crystal of the eye requires volume, which is quite difficult to depict. 
The eye in profile has a rather interesting appearance. As you can see, you first need to draw the eyeball itself, and only then surround it with eyelids. Don't try to press your eyelids too tightly. 
The view from below is quite exciting. Here it is important not to overdo it with long eyelashes and curved lines. Don't forget to distort the crystal a little.
In this tutorial we will look at natural eye drawing basics in profile, sideways and closed. Then we'll learn draw anime eyes characters in different angles, and also consider the examples given different styles eye.
Eyes are the mirror of the soul...
After all, they are the ones who make all people unique, showing our inner world. And in order to draw them correctly, we will look at the basics.
Consider a photograph of an eye (front view).
This is the real eye of a middle-aged man.
The eye has an almond shape, along the edge of which there are eyelashes of varying lengths, and folds and wrinkles around the eyes emphasize the contours of the eyeball.
In the drawing I indicated in which direction, from the edge of the eye, the eyelashes go. Please note that the eyelashes are curved and of different lengths. I also indicated which long eyelashes located around the eye (B-large eyelashes, M-small). Eyelashes are usually taller in the center of the eye and smaller towards the ends of the eye, but long eyelashes can also be drawn at one end (which is further from the nose).
Let's look at a photograph of an eye (side view).
Now the basic shape of the eye is triangular rather than almond shaped.
Eyelashes are curved and of different lengths. In the side view, the location of the lengths of the eyelashes around the eye is more clearly visible (B-large eyelashes, M-small eyelashes).
Half of the lower part of the almond shape is clearly visible near the eye, along the edge of which there are eyelashes of different lengths. Wrinkles at the top of the eye emphasize the contours of the eyeball.
Eyelashes are longer in the center and smaller towards the ends of the eye (B-large eyelashes, M-small).
Anime characters eyes
Let's take a look at the basic eye shapes.
The shape of the eyes expresses the character's personality. And also keep in mind that large eyes with large pupils are mainly suitable for girls and children, narrow eyes with small pupils for guys, men and women, and single-line eyes for older people.
When drawing anime eyes, always start with the shape of the eyelashes. Having decided on the shape, draw two straight lines that intersect at one point and touch the edges of the upper eyelash shape. This way we will define the contours of the eyeball. Then we complicate the eyelashes and draw the pupil.
If you want to draw a rounded eye shape, consider the following example.
At the base of these eyes, I always draw a circle first. Then I decide on the shape of the eyelashes and complicate them. After that, I make sure to erase the auxiliary circle. Now I’m finishing the pupil.
Examples of eyes (front view) with in different forms for reference.
Examples of eyes (side view) with different shapes for your reference.
There are mainly two types of closed eyelashes: up-curling and down-curling eyelashes.
When the eyelashes bend upward, the emotion of happiness, joy and laughter is conveyed.
Eyelashes with a downward curve are drawn when they kiss, sleep, think, or are in a calm state.
Examples of closed eyes (front view) with different shapes for reference.
Examples of closed eyes (side view) with different shapes for your reference.
You can also see how the eyes change when drawing emotions by going to the lesson How to draw emotions.
This concludes the lesson! I hope it helps you in your creativity!
From this article you will learn
A person's eyes are the most important, most expressive part of the face. How to draw eyes with a pencil? In order not just to learn how to depict them, but to convey them characteristic features specific person, direction of view, reflection of internal and outside world, figuratively speaking, you need to carefully study the anatomy, understand the basic principles of construction, and learn how to effectively apply tone.
The lesson is dedicated to learning how to draw eyes, how to draw eyes with a pencil. It is designed in such a way that it is convenient to draw with a pencil step by step.
There is no definite answer on how to draw eyes correctly, but the principle is the same everywhere: you must connect the eyes with construction lines in order to determine their location relative to each other.
Tip: Use 3B softness pencils for dark areas, 2B and HB for everything else. Paper - Goznak, A4 format. Take a soft eraser, I use a MILAN eraser, ideal for fine wiping small details. And sharpen your pencil more often.
Constructing eyes from two straight lines
There are few construction lines in this drawing, but they are important in order to accurately grasp the direction, to solve the problem of how to draw symmetrical eyes with a pencil, and not everyone to play around on their own))).
We draw a slope line. The eyes are most often symmetrical (there are, of course, exceptions. We are considering the average option). The slope line passes through the corners; note that all four corners are located on the same straight line. By the way, a note when talking about proportions human face, I would like to note that when looking from the front, the distance between the inner corners in a proportional face is equal to the distance between the inner and outer corner of one eye. Simply put, the width of the eye is equal to the distance from one eye to the other. If you draw a face from the front, this note will help you figure out how to draw eyes correctly. In our case, the face is turned to three quarters, but this distance almost coincides in proportion. The second eye is of course shorter due to the turn.
Next we estimate the height of the upper eyelid. The slope of the straight line is the same, the eyelids are on the same straight line. 
Note the direction of view. If you mentally draw perpendiculars from the center of the pupil to the lower straight line, you can see that the left pupil is in the center, the right one is slightly closer to the left edge. 
We outline the contours, starting from the upper eyelid. On the left, the top point of the arc is above the pupil. On the right, the strongest bend is to the left of the pupil, extending beyond the edge of the corner. Strongly rounded. You don’t need to draw smooth, precise curves for now, but draw everything rather approximately, the main thing is in the right direction.
Outline the boundaries of the lower eyelid. The right one almost coincides with the lower horizontal line from the inner tip, goes down, rounds towards the end. The one on the left is lowered from the horizontal downwards. 
We draw the pupils and iris, which have a round shape, partially covered by the eyelids. Make circles mentally or with a pencil. The photo shows regular and irregular irises. 
Let's clarify the details. We draw teardrops, folds and small details. 
There are no eyelashes yet, they will appear at the shading stage.
If you have completed this stage, it turned out smoothly and symmetrically, so to speak, from one face, then you have already solved the question of how to draw eyes correctly.
But a linear drawing is not a finished work, so let’s start shading. At this stage, you will understand all the subtleties of how to draw eyes with a pencil.
Hatching. Applying tone to a linear drawing
We start from the darkest places.
We shade the iris according to the shape of its pattern, we draw strokes in two directions: from the edge to the pupil, then from the pupil to the edge. Try to leave the highlight clean. You can outline its shape in advance with a light outline without pressure. If you can’t apply a tone with a highlight, do it without a highlight, then clean it with an eraser. 
If you have gone too far somewhere, correct it with a thinly cut eraser. 
Notice that the edges of the pupil are blurred. Do not draw them perfectly even and clear - it will look more natural.
Apply the falling shadow on the iris using horizontal strokes.
Before applying the tone, erase the lines until they are barely noticeable. Check details all the time. 
Using wide, sweeping strokes in shape, we add shadows above the eyelids. 
Eyelashes- the most pleasant part of the drawing, they give the greatest expressiveness than anything else. Although drawing eyelashes is simple, try to do it carefully. There is no need to draw every hair; you can depict it approximately, but in character. 
Finalizing details and completing the drawing
Once everything is shaded, look at it in general, without the original image. Adjust where you see fit. Please note that in the finished drawing the inner thickness of the eyelid at the top is slightly dimmed, and the highlights are detailed. I cleaned them with a thin section of an eraser and added the missing dots. The shine has appeared! That's all the principles on how to draw eyes step by step.
If you have mastered how to draw eyes with a pencil, then the problem of how to draw an eye expressively and beautifully will not arise either.