How to Draw Hyper Realistic Eyes | Step by Step
Video Overview & Insights
Follow my simple, detailed steps to draw a realistic eye in pencil. My method is aimed to help even the most complete beginner draw something they once thought was impossible.
Hi guys! π¨πI made a printable workbook with the exact same eye so you can practice tricky parts like iris details or eyelashes over and over again without having to redraw the entire eye each time.
Check it out!ππ½https://gum.co/u/ulwklooshttps://www.youtube.com/s/gaming/emoji/7ff574f2/emoji_u1f3a8.png
If you get stuck on the shading part, please refer to my shading tutorials below. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I'll get back to you as soon as I can :)
π Subscribe for more FREE drawing tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/user/RapidFireArt?sub_confimation=1
How many steps do you draw this eye?
β RELATED TUTORIALS
How to Shade for Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WR-FyUQc6I
She: using mechanical pencils and kneadable erasers
Me: Takes out a half chewed pencil from 1st grade and a eraser poked 1 million timesπ
Shading Techniques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGx4sypoPjY
How to Draw a Pair of Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs4fSe-hSIk
ΩΩβ€
How to Draw Matching Symmetrical Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ2icsQkdFI
How to Draw an Eye from the Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLJsWn1V_Jw
cries because my electric eraser is lost somewhere at home
βοΈβ€οΈ TOOLS I USED
- HB + 4B Mechanical Pencil Lead: https://amzn.to/2EpZx56
Gys in 2026
π
- Blending Stump: https://amzn.to/2wcMobn
- Kneadable Eraser: https://amzn.to/2M5tVYV
Anyone watching June 2026 ?
- Electric Eraser: https://amzn.to/4lAyckb
- White Gel Pen: https://amzn.to/2EpcMmU
If you have only the basic supplies a good life hack is to use a ear cotton to blend the pencil.
- SmudgeGuard Glove: https://amzn.to/3PfSmUs
- Soft Tissue Paper: https://amzn.to/2JYkjwr
I teach art to primary school children (UK).
Them: "How do you draw eyes so well?!?"
Me: "Since I was a little girl I''ve drawn 10,000 eyes!"
It's true. There's something about eyes...
- Canson Drawing Paper (If you want smooth drawings, look for paper labelled as "fine tooth" or smooth, but make sure it's thick so you can work it): https://amzn.to/2A5saTx
- Ruler
damn that's beautiful but why does mine look like a retarded avocado?
π₯π₯ SKIP TO...
Intro - 0:00
Tools: 0:20
Step 1 - Circle: 0:51
Step 2 - Eye Angle: 1:23
Step 3 - Eye Shape: 1:50
the way she makes it look so easy while iβm over here struggling to draw a circle... her talent is actually insane ππ₯
Step 4 - Eye Crease: 3:13
Step 5 - Iris: 4:32
im making it rigght noww its so goodddddπ
Step 6 - Highlight: 5:42
Step 7 - Pupil: 6:48
Me: taking hours to draw a single eyelash
Step 8 - Iris Detail: 8:35
- Cast Shadow 10:16
This is not helpful for me -_-
Step 9 - Shade Eye: 18:09
- Cast Shadow: 20:46
You are good artist good teacher good hart β€ thanks
Step 10 - Skin Details: 21:57
Step 11 - Shade Skin: 22:43
THANK YOU! NOBODY SHOWS THIS BUT YOU!
Step 12 - Blending: 28:08
Step 13 - Touch-ups: 29:19
....why is this short so long
Step 14 - Eyelashes: 30:50
- Shadows: 39:04
So my bad was i wanted result too fast. Big preasure with blending.. not good but more time with layers is the key...is that right?
- Reflection: 42:25
Step 15 - Make it POP: 43:24
Her takes out fancy pencil me takes out my sis half eaten pencil from grade one and my sis ruler
- Darken: 43:56
- Lighten: 47:13
Too many ads. You get no like from me for that.
Step 16 - Touch-Ups: 48:23
π§° MY CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Her: uses fancy pencil and eraser. Me: Uses random pencil, because me and the mechanical pencil are bad blood,
Overhead Camcorder for Tutorials (Canon Vixia HF R400): https://amzn.to/33foV8Q
Overhead Camcorder Mount: https://amzn.to/2TK76f1
What if you only have a 2B pencil π€π€π€
Camera for every other angle (Sony a 5000): https://amzn.to/39Noc1p
Portrait Lens: https://amzn.to/2vSijBq
Thank you for such a thoughtfully paced tutorial β¨ Especially the unhurried approach to the lashes.
I had not drawn properly since my school days, so it was quietly reassuring to discover that the old HB pencil still remembers a few things, even if its owner occasionally does not π€βοΈ
I also deeply appreciated that the tutorial did not require one to possess the entire inventory of an art supply store in Florence π―οΈ Just an HB pencil, an eraser, and a little dignity left intact π
I improvised with a white pen instead of correction fluid, though I must concede, rather reluctantly, that the correction pen appears to belong to a far superior social class altogether ππ
Macro (Closeup) Lens: https://amzn.to/2W7jk32
Lights: https://amzn.to/2w1nvmq
U are an AWESOME teacher..
U explain things so well..
Keep it up..!!!
Light Bulbs: https://amzn.to/2Qbbu4A
Microphone: https://amzn.to/2xyv6cB
Me spending one thousand years on the eye
π’ If you enjoyed this video, help others enjoy it by adding captions in your native language. Thank you! - http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_video?v=zqNZ9df0tho&ref=share
π RFA STORE:
Shapes and creating a body is not the problem for me its highlighting and more realism... but im getting better! Love your videos man.
https://teespring.com/stores/rapidfireart
DISCLAIMER
Cries in Cheap Pencils And Rubbers ππβοΈ
This content contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through the link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps fund free tutorials on the RFA channel and website. Thank you for your support!
Thank you very much ππΎ
More User Perspectives
But still you made better
@sidranaqvi52I try it and it turned out so good
@sidranaqvi52If you guys wanna blend in, donβt use the tissue paper, instead use a Q-tip or whatever those r called
@HisuvenaVery Very hard for kids
@youcan9611The amount of timees i have earsed this is crazy
@kakulrocksTis the best eye I have ever drawn.
@Toca_Mushroom_StarYou are so talented! I've always had a fascination with hyper realistic art but Ive held myself back from learning for so long bc it's so unbelievably detailed, it was overwhelming to me. But the way you break it down and go step by step is SO amazing! I thank you so much! I'm 38 years old and bc of your videos maybe I can finally learn how to do it! π Thank you!!!
@jen2609Ouch
@DeAngeloDowning-l1q" :
@shakun1902Any watching 2050
@sunilrawte8926Yes I also
@sunilrawte8926I also used a school pencil and cheap rubber
@sunilrawte8926I subscribed in 2 seconds πβ€ I don't think my actual eyes looks amazing as her drawing or more realistic..that is powerful looking at it ...loooooooove it
@Swasohri8:02 Hey! Nice tutorial really enjoying it. Are you still using HB here for the pupil or you moved to 4B? I couldnt seem to get mine as dark with HB. Also is you HB also 0.5mm? My shading seemed pointy no matter how much i went at an angle lol but I notice you notice even slanting the pencil that much and still get proper shading and not pointy lines, how ππ
@thefamousdjxFantastic video. Thankyou!!!
@DaNTRoseGRAZIE!!!!! Ho appena fatto l'occhio piΓΉ bello della mia vita!!! Non capisco una sola parola di inglese ma la descrizione visiva passo per passo era perfetta!!!!!
Grande artista e grande insegnante! Grazie grazie grazie!! π
That's a great drawing. Well done! I also draw. I tried this eye drawing technique in a different way, and the result surprised me. Those who are curious can take a look. I think you'll find my drawings interesting. I'd appreciate it if you followed me. Let's stay tuned.
@RashidDusaliyevI love this
Thank you for the training π
Love this video
@CarlaStevens-c3k