It takes a steady hand to create the perfect male eyes. Whether it’s because you want to paint a portrait of a loved one or you’re honing your craft, you need to understand the key anatomy of male eyes, the proper use of shading, and the nuances of color. Here is a guide to help you draw male eyes that have that added oomph to really capture someone’s character.
Start with the outline
Start by sketching a basic outline of the eye. Make sure you note the overall size, shape, and width of the eye. Once you have that, begin to breakdown the parts of the eye. Also take this time to consider the angle of the eye, what type of expression would you want to give off? Every eye is slightly different, and to create a layout which captures the dynamic complexity of a real human eye requires you to add in those little nuances.
Shading
Once you have sketched out the basic outline and expressions, it’s time to add some shading. Start by adding some light peripheral lines around the border of the eye and the eyelid. This will give the eye a three-dimensional look. From there, use shadows on the upper and outer eyelids to add depth and contrast.
Use the right amount of pressure with the pencil so that you can create a range of textures to the eye. Keep refining your shading until you have created a realistic texture that captures the light and adds to the feel of the portrait. By drawing attention to certain areas, it allows you to create a powerful and realistic effect.
Adding Color
With the shading complete, it’s time to add color. Start by using a colored pencil or marker on the eyelids and inner eyelashes. Make sure that the color still works with the overall palette of the portrait before you apply it.
For the sclera, you can use both a white pencil to add highlights and create a sense of life in the eye, or use a flesh-toned pencil to create something more monochrome.ensure that highlights are not too intense, as it will make the eye look cartoonish. As you continue to add color, add layers, just as you did with shading. This will make the color look deeper and more realistic.
Highlighting the Pupils
Finally, it’s time to focus on the pupils. Use an extremely fine pen to draw a few small lines in the center of the pupils. This will help to make the eye appear more alive, more engaging. Continue to refine and refine the lines until you create the perfect circular shape. How much extra you add to the pupil is up to you – it completely depends on the effect you’re going for.
Once you’re happy with your final product, step back and admire your work. Male eyes can have an enigmatic quality that has been captured by the world’s greatest master painters, and you can too. With a steady hand and creativity, you will be able to draw male eyes that come alive and capture the subject’s uniqueness.
Adding Sunbursts to the Person’s Character
Once the basic shading and color are complete, you can begin to add in the details. Sunbursts are lines emanating from the point of the eye that draw attention to the subject. Keep the lines feathered and as light as these lines will make or break the look of the eye. This is where you need to use your creativity – the sunburst will add character to your piece and give the eye a unique touch.
When you have the lines drawn in, use various highlights and shades of color to truly give the eye life. Throw in a few subtle yellows and subtle blues to create the look of iridescent eyes and amplify to the emotion you’ve created. Add color over and around the eye to draw attention and be aware of the color bleeding off the canvas.
Another effect you could consider is bringing in reflections. This adds a real sense of life to the male eye as it seems to gaze at something far beyond the painting. Again, keep the details minimal but use the whole of the eye to cast around and create the reflections. You can use metallic paints or even very fine touches of white or gray to enhance the reflection.
Finally, draw in the hairs to really capture the look and feel of natural male eyes. Don’t underestimate the power of small details, as these will really make the eyes captivating. Make sure the hairs are in a natural angle, not too far-spread, and that they fit in the proportions of the rest of the eye.
Using Lines and Shapes to Highlight Softer Features
Male eyes can often have softer features that need to be highlighted. Lines enhance and sharpen the look, along with creating texture and definition. Create one or two meshes underneath the eyebrow line to emphasize the definition, or draw a few swirls around the outer corners of the eyes for a dramatic effect.
You can also use shape to give the eyes a softer look. Use half-circles, curved lines, and other geometric shapes to create a softer border around the eyes. Play with the colors to give the eyes more subtleties. Add patches of colors – such as yellow and orange – to create highlights and shadows.
Use shapes to also bring in tense emotions. Draw a triangle between the brow line and the cheekbone to give an uncomfortable expression. Play with more round shapes to give a look of dissatisfaction and curved lines to show frustration.
Keeping the Gaze Engaged
Whatever direction you choose to paint the male eye, make sure the view of the eye is always engaged. Confidence and determination should be the main expression in the eye. Determine what message you want it to send and try to replicate that in the type of expression you want in the eye.
Keep the eyes fixed, direct and determined. This creates a strong, powerful gaze that can bring life to the rest of the painting. Eyes are often the most powerful aspect of a portrait and portray a myriad of emotions. Make sure to convey that in your painting. You can even hint at animation by creating light flickers in the pupil.
Adding Drama and Realism to the Eye Line
Once you have the basic outline of the eyes finished, it’s time to add drama and realism. Curves and lines subtly elevate the eye line, bringing it to life. Just a few strokes around the lower lashes, inside the brow line and around the corners of the eye add life and motion to the eye.
Don’t be afraid to use lighter shades for the eyebrow line to create a light, bright look. And add subtle lid depth to make the eye appear fuller. Finally, keep the shadows between the eyelid and eyebrow in tandem. Contrasting shadows will create an awkward look and pull away from the lifelike illusion.
Bringing it Together
Drawing male eyes is an art form that combines the beautiful and the grotesque, the real and the imagined. When you are able to get the combination of all those elements right, you can create something that communicates a story and truly engages the viewer. From the slightest nuances of the outline to the dramatic highlights, it’s the details that really make these male eyes come alive.
When you blend the color with the shading and the line work, you can create something that will appear alive in the viewer’s eye. So, take your time and draw with precision every step of the way. Subtly make adjustments here and there, and you’ll eventually create the perfect male eye that everyone will feel compelled to look at.
