All Activities
Draw Eyes

Draw Eyes
Green highlight

Learn to draw expressive eyes using simple shapes, shading, and highlights. Practice sketching different eye styles and observing real eye details.

Orange shooting star
Start Drawing
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to draw expressive eyes

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to draw an eye for beginners | Easy eye drawing step by step | Easy Eye Drawing Tutorial

What you need
Blending tool tissue or cotton swab, coloring materials colored pencils or markers, eraser, mirror or photo of an eye, paper, pencil, sharpener

Step 1

Hold your mirror or photo and look closely for two minutes to notice the eye shape the bright highlight and where the lashes grow.

Step 2

Lightly sketch an almond shape on your paper to make the outer outline of the eye.

Step 3

Draw a circle inside the almond for the iris placing it slightly toward the direction the eye is looking.

Step 4

Draw a smaller circle inside the iris for the pupil.

Step 5

Erase any parts of the iris circle that are covered by the eyelids so the iris looks tucked under the lids.

Step 6

Draw a bright highlight shape inside the iris and keep it white to show the light reflection.

Step 7

Add a curved crease line above the eye to show the upper eyelid fold.

Step 8

Draw short tapered eyelashes along the upper and lower lash lines using quick strokes.

Step 9

Shade the pupil completely dark to make it stand out.

Step 10

Add thin radiating pencil strokes from the pupil outward in the iris to create texture.

Step 11

Shade softly under the upper eyelid and near the outer edge of the white to make the eye look round.

Step 12

Share your finished eye drawings on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can I use instead of a mirror or special pencils if I don't have them?

If you don't have a hand mirror or printed photo use your phone's front camera for the two-minute observation, and if you lack a soft drawing pencil use an HB pencil with lighter strokes and a tissue for smudging when shading.

What should I do if my iris looks flat or my highlight disappears when I shade?

If the iris looks flat or the highlight vanishes, erase the parts of the iris covered by the eyelids so it appears tucked under the lids, add thin radiating pencil strokes for iris texture, and keep the bright highlight area white before shading around it.

How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have them trace a big almond shape and draw one large iris and highlight with a chunky crayon, while older kids can follow all steps adding the curved crease line, tapered eyelashes, thin radiating pencil strokes, and subtle shading under the upper eyelid for realism.

How can we extend or personalize the finished eye drawing before sharing on DIY.org?

To personalize the finished eye, add colored pencils or light watercolor over the iris after shading the pupil and radiating strokes, try different crease lines and eyelid positions to show emotions, or draw both eyes and a surrounding face before sharing on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw expressive eyes

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Draw Eyes For Beginners Step By Step | Drawing Tutorial

4 Videos

Facts about drawing facial features for kids

✨ Adding a tiny white highlight can instantly make a drawn eye look shiny and alive.

🎨 Manga and anime often use oversized irises and multiple highlights to amplify emotion.

👀 People blink around 15–20 times per minute — a blink can add realism and expression to drawings.

👁️ The human eye can distinguish about 10 million different colors!

🔎 The iris pattern is unique to each person, just like a fingerprint.

How do I teach my child to draw expressive eyes?

To teach a child to draw expressive eyes, start with simple shapes: an almond outline, a circle for the iris, and a pupil. Add eyelids, crease, and eyelashes using light guidelines for symmetry. Shade the iris with gradual tones, darken the pupil, add soft shadows under the lid, and leave a bright highlight to create life. Practice short sketches from references and try both cartoon and realistic styles.

What materials do I need to draw expressive eyes with my child?

You’ll need basic drawing supplies: a range of pencils (HB, 2B, 4B), a kneaded eraser and regular eraser, sharpener, and sketchbook or drawing paper. Include a blending stump or tissue for soft shading and a white gel pen or white colored pencil for highlights. Optional extras: fine liners for crisp edges, colored pencils for colored irises, and printed reference photos to study real eye details.

What ages is learning to draw expressive eyes suitable for?

Suitable for ages 5 and up. Young children (5–7) can start with simple shapes, bold highlights, and basic coloring. Ages 8–12 can practice proportions, gradual shading, and different styles. Teens can work on realism, texture, and advanced light effects. Adjust instruction and session length to each child’s fine motor skills, and supervise younger kids when using sharpeners or small tools.

What are the benefits of practicing expressive eye drawing with children?

Drawing expressive eyes builds observation skills, fine motor control, patience, and emotional expression. It teaches children about light, shape, and detail while boosting confidence. Variations like cartoon, anime, or realistic studies keep practice fun and suitable for different skill levels. Keep sessions short, give positive feedback, and encourage copying real photos followed by creative experiments to reinforce learning.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.