In <a title="How to Draw an Eye Realistically (Part 1 of 4)" href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/how-to-draw-an-eye-realistically-part-1-of-4/">the last post of this series</a>, we began drawing a realistic eye with the all-important line drawing to place the iris, pupil, eyelids, and the outline to a few shadows and highlights.

Here is where we left off:

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0107-eyelid-shadows.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1824" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0107-eyelid-shadows.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0107 eyelid shadows" width="800" height="621" /></a>

In this second lesson, it is time to add some tones to all of those lines. The focus of this tutorial is how to <em>begin</em> shading an eye drawing so that it looks realistic. Let me again emphasize <em><strong>begin,</strong></em> because this lesson will be just the start of the shading process. There will be more shading techniques to implement in Parts 3 and 4 before getting to the desired level of realism.

No new materials will be needed, just a 2B pencil and a kneaded eraser.

So let's begin!
<h3>Shading the Pupil</h3>
Begin by taking your kneaded eraser and lifting out the pupil outline going through the highlight. Then carefully take your pencil and completely fill in the circle that represents the pupil. Leave the highlight white.

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0201-pupil.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1853" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0201-pupil.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0201 pupil" width="800" height="623" /></a>

&nbsp;
<h3>Shading the Iris</h3>
The outer and inner rim of the iris is usually slightly darker than the rest of it. The guidelines that you drew in the last lesson help allow for this.

Begin by shading the outer edge of the iris. Lighten the application of graphite as you work your way inward and reach the guideline.

There is a heavier shadow along the top that is cast by the upper eyelid. This shadow should not taper off and get lighter along the guideline edge.

There is a much thinner shadow on the iris along the lower eyelid. Notice the little sliver of water as the eyelid presses against the eye? Leave this white.

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0202-iris-border.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1852" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0202-iris-border.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0202 iris border" width="793" height="609" /></a>

&nbsp;

As for the inner part of the iris, begin sketching a few lines that radiate outward from the center. Try to imagine the very center of the pupil and have your lines come straight from there.

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0203-iris-inner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1851" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0203-iris-inner.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0203 iris inner" width="800" height="608" /></a>

Begin extending these lines all the way to the outer edge of the iris.

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0204-iris-inner-to-outer.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1850" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0204-iris-inner-to-outer.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0204 iris inner to outer" width="800" height="621" /></a>

Next, begin filling in the open spaces with more lines. Notice how the lines are not necessarily perfectly straight. Think in terms of long, stretched out ovals that are pointed at each end.

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0205-iris-begin-lines.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1849" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0205-iris-begin-lines.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0205 iris begin lines" width="800" height="630" /></a>

<a href="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0206-iris-all-lines.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1848" src="http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/how-to-draw-an-eye-0206-iris-all-lines.jpg" alt="how to draw an eye 0206 iris all lines" width="800" height="620" /></a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;