Share your passion for art with family and friends both young and old! We’re hosting a live drawing event designed to help aspiring artists ages 8+ develop healthy drawing habits, find joy in the process, and unlock natural abilities for drawing realistically. Learn to draw a realistic eye by following along with the three step-by-step drawings!
Join us here on Thursday, August 11 at 3PM Eastern for a live drawing event hosted by artist Scott Maier, host of Drawing Together and author of “See, Think, Draw: An Easy Guide to Realistic Drawing and Beyond.”
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You’ll Need
- Pencil. Any pencils will do, even a common yellow #2 school pencil
- Sketch Paper 8″x10″ or larger
- Reference image
Reference Image
A Note to Adults
Some of what we’ll cover may seem complex to children, but I’ll simplify things and make it fun. If you’re drawing along with a child, the best way to help them is to model curiosity, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness. We’re all just practicing, and no one needs to share their work. I’ll do my best to reduce frustration for both adults and children. My approach is to never suggest that there is an “easy way to draw.” Rather than make drawing easy, we can give children the mindset and tools needed to make hard things possible.
Why Draw an Eye?
We’ve all heard variations on the saying “The eyes are the window to the soul.” There’s something compelling in the connection formed when we look into someone’s eyes. Eyes are universally attractive subject for people to draw starting at a very young age. Our first eye drawings tend to be simple shapes, but evolve as we get older in myriad ways, from simple symbols to highly rendered classical and photorealistic images. In this demonstration, the eye serves as a subject to teach us basic observational drawing techniques. We’ll start by drawing the eye as a simple symbol before challenging our observations and testing new ways of drawing.
Symbol Systems
With a circle and two curved lines, we’ve created a basic symbol that we all recognize as a human eye. Rendering complex objects this way builds in our minds what is called a “symbol system.” When drawing, this “symbol system” is something we fall back on. Rather than looking closely at the subject, we repeat the shapes practiced movements that deliver predictable results. Over time, these symbols become ingrained in our muscle memory, making for difficult habits to break when learning to draw more realistically. So how do we break that habit? The three drawing exercises below will help!
Drawing #1: Simple Symbol
Start by drawing a simple eye like the one below without looking at the reference. It should take you only 30-60 seconds. Congratulations! You’re done with your first drawing! Reflect on the process of your drawing. Did you have a specific eye in mind while you worked? Were you focused on getting your lines right? Drawing a perfect circle?
Drawing #2: Complex Symbol
Next, look closely at the reference photos, taking time to observe the qualities that make this particular eye unique. We’ll apply those observations to add detail to the symbol drawing. In the event, I’ll introduce new techniques that will help you along the way to help with shading, texture, shape, form. Reflect on the process and start to visualize how you might distinguish your unique voice. Do you like simple, stylized drawings? Do you crave more detail? What techniques are you excited to practice more? What observations come more naturally than others?
Drawing #3: Observational Drawing
For this final drawing, we’ll explore the fundamentals of observational drawing. We’re all warmed up, looked closely at the eye, and can apply those observations for a more finished drawing. Rather than starting with a simple line drawing, I start with what I call a “Form Gesture.” With that established, I then measure the proportions, refine the shape, before adding the final details.
When you’re done, reflect on the process. What worked best for you? How would you want to change it? How would you experiment with the process to make it yours?
Join us Live, or Watch the Playback!
I’ll cover everything in the live event. You can follow along with me as I explain each of these drawings more thoroughly. Drawing with others is highly encouraged, so bring your friends and family to share in the experience. These exercises are all about the experience and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter so you can keep posted on new events like this!
What’s Next?
Continue to practice! It can be helpful to go through these drawing exercises again. In addition, here are other ways you can keep the momentum going.
- Share what you’ve learned with others! A great way to make these skills permanent is to teach them to others.
- Work on developing a steady drawing practice. A daily drawing routine is tremendously beneficial. Here’s a great article with tips on how to get started: 7 Simple Tips to Encourage a Daily Drawing Routine, by Alphonso Dunn
- Master copies are also great ways to learn! If you’re not sure what that means, this video will give you an idea: Decoding Degas- Pastel Drawing Series.
- Give us feedback! Leave comments below, letting us know how this has helped you, what you could use more help with, and what other resources we can provide to help you achieve greater success.
Thank you for drawing with me!
-Scott
Scott Maier
Scott Maier is an artist, video producer, content creator, and author. As host and creator of the popular Artists Network show Drawing Together, he brought thousands of artists together every week to practice drawing. Maier is also the author of See, Think, Draw (July 2022), an instructional drawing book with 30+ exercises and lessons.
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