Leo Martínez
Painting realistic eyes can be challenging, but understanding the different shapes and curves is key. Most eyes are almond-shaped, but some are more rounded. The iris, which directs the gaze, is set at a specific angle in each eye. To paint two matching eyes, you must measure the angle from the highest to the lowest point. Once you've sketched the outer lines of the eye, you can block in the larger areas with darker colours, gradually building up to the midtones and highlights. The whites of the eyes are almost never pure white and will be tinted depending on the lighting situation and the model you're painting. To create a glossy, wet look, add reflection spots to the eyes, adjusting the brightness and contrast to make them pop. For the eyelashes, use a tiny brush, painting them lash by lash, making them darker at the roots and lighter at the ends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colors | White, red, yellow, black, brown |
| Paint type | Oil, acrylic, gouache, water-mixable oil |
| Brush type | Big, hard brush, fan brush, palette knife, script brush, tiny brush, Kolinsky Sable Hairs brush, round synthetic brush, fluffy brush |
| Painting order | Paint eyes first, then face, then touch up eyes |
| Painting technique | Brush and Cut method, Sharpen Tool |
| Glossy effect | Add reflection spots, adjust brightness and contrast, add noise |
| Pupil | Paint a black line from the upper part of the border to the lower part, add a dot of eye color, a smaller dot of black, and a tiny dot of white |
| Whites of the eyes | Tinted with blue/grey or red, brighter white near the iris |
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What You'll Learn
Use a gloss varnish
Gloss varnish is a great way to enhance the colours of your painting and make them pop. It can be used to create a glazed-over, glossy look for the eyes in your painting.
If you are painting cataract eyes, you can add a grey-white colour to the inside of the pupil, so that the green outline is visible. Then, add a gloss varnish to make the eye look glazed over. You can also mix a little white into the gloss to create a milky look.
For a clouded-over eye, you can paint the entire eye white and then add a bit of off-greyish colour to the white to paint the cornea. You can mix white with a pastel-faded green for the cornea, and then add a coat of apothecary white contrast paint to bring the colours together. Finish it off with a gloss coat.
Gloss varnish can also be used to blend small colour variations and brush marks. However, it is important to note that varnish can be corrosive over time and may spill over the desired place. An alternative to using varnish is to brush a small amount of baby oil over the eyes to achieve a glossy look without causing permanent damage.
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Avoid pure white
The “white" part of the eyes is not pure white, so avoid using white paint. Look at any photo, and you'll see that no one's eyes are pure white. Using pure white will make your portrait look odd, and the eyes will appear harsh and unnatural. The whites of the eyes are usually tinted, depending on the lighting situation of your subject. They can have a blue/grey or reddish tint, and they will be more colourful along the edges and corners, with a brighter white near the iris.
When painting the whites of the eyes, you can use an ivory or off-white shade, or a mix of raw umber and white. You can also add a small amount of white to a gloss varnish to create a milky look. If you want to create a cloudy effect, you can start with a solid coat of white and then build up a bluish-grey tint around the outside and recesses of the eye.
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Understand eye anatomy
To paint the glossy part of an eye, it is important to first understand the anatomy of the eye. The eye has several parts, each with a specific function, working together to help us see clearly.
The cornea is the clear front window of the eye that transmits and focuses light. It can be reshaped through corrective laser surgery, altering the way light enters the eye. The iris is the coloured part of the eye, located behind the cornea, which helps regulate the amount of light entering by opening and closing the pupil. The pupil is the dark centre of the iris, which changes size to adjust for the amount of light available.
Behind the iris is the lens, which focuses light rays onto the retina. The lens is transparent and can be replaced if necessary. The retina is a light-sensitive nerve layer lining the back of the eye. It absorbs light and converts it into electrochemical impulses, which are sent to the brain via the optic nerve. The optic nerve is a bundle of over a million nerve fibres, connecting the eye to the brain and allowing us to interpret visual information.
Additionally, the choroid layer, located between the retina and the sclera (the outer white wall of the eye), contains blood vessels that nourish the eye. The fovea, or centre of the macula, provides sharp central vision.
When painting the glossy part of an eye, one is typically trying to recreate the cornea or the glossy sheen of the eye. This can be achieved by using a gloss varnish over the painted eye or mixing a small amount of white into the gloss for a milky cornea effect.
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Use a small brush
Painting the glossy part of an eye can be challenging, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve stunning results. Here are some detailed instructions for using a small brush to paint the glossy part of an eye:
Choose the Right Brush:
Select a small brush with a fine tip that is suitable for adding tiny details to the eye. A round brush with a pointed tip is ideal for creating the outer contour of the eye and adding the darker colours. For very fine details, a smaller brush with an excellent tip, such as a Winsor & Newton size 0, can be used. Ensure that your brush can hold a good amount of paint and has a sharp point.
Prepare the Paint:
It is crucial to have the right paint consistency. Mix your paint with a paint thinner to achieve a thin and drippy consistency. This will allow the paint to flow smoothly from the brush without being too watery or too thick. The paint should sit on top of the tip of the brush, so lightly mix and scoop the paint onto the brush.
Painting the Glossy Part:
Start by sketching the outer contour of the eye with your small, pointed brush. Mix a darker colour with paint thinner and use this to define the outer lines of the eye, including the pupil, creases, and under the eyelid. Remember to keep the paint fluid by mixing in a medium like linseed oil.
Adding Reflections and Highlights:
To create a glossy, wet look, add small reflection spots to the eye. These reflections will make the eye pop and appear more realistic. Use a bright colour for these reflections, ensuring that your brush is clean and free from other paint colours. Lightly touch the canvas with the brush to add small highlights. Work from dark to light, gradually building up the lighter streaks and highlights in the eye.
Painting Eyelashes:
Use a tiny brush to paint eyelashes, making them darker at the roots and lighter at the ends. You can also experiment with a fan brush for a faster application, but you may need to add final details with a smaller brush.
Remember to practice and experiment with different brush sizes and techniques to find what works best for you. With patience and persistence, you'll be able to create stunning, glossy eyes in your paintings.
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Add reflection spots
To add reflection spots to the eyes in your portrait painting, follow these steps:
First, it is important to understand the two types of reflection: diffuse reflection and specular reflection. Diffuse reflection is when light bounces off an object in multiple directions, allowing you to see the object itself better. On the other hand, specular reflection is when light bounces off an object in a specific direction, allowing you to identify the light source and its shape. When painting an eye, you will often be working with specular reflection, creating highlights that bring light and life to the eyes.
Before adding reflections, ensure you are satisfied with the eye's pupil, iris, eyeball, eyelid, tear duct, and surrounding area. Then, determine the direction of the light source by placing a small arrow as a reminder (you can paint over it later). This will guide the placement of your highlights.
Now, it's time to add the reflection spots. Use a fine, firm yet soft brush, such as a size 00 or 6 'round' made of Kolinsky sable or synthetic bristles. Add a touch of white paint to represent moisture on the lower lid where it meets the iris. This will create a catchlight, a reflection on the cornea. You can also add a small amount of white to the inner corner of the eye, known as the tear duct, to indicate warmth and moisture.
For a more detailed reflection, consider the color temperature of the reflections. Cool highlights are often seen on the 'whites' of the eyeball, while warm hues are found on the fleshy area around the eye. Use a combination of pigments like white, ultramarine, phthalo blue, permanent rose, viridian, burnt sienna, and burnt umber to create a range of highlights.
Remember, the placement, size, and position of the highlights are crucial. Inaccurate rendering can unintentionally change the subject's facial expression. The highlights should be consistent in color and tone, creating the impression of white specks within each eye.
Finally, step back and assess your work. Make any necessary adjustments to the highlights, blending them along the brow bone and cheekbone to indicate the direction of the light source.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a combination of white, red, yellow and black. You can also add brown by mixing black, white, yellow and red.
You can use oil paints, acrylics, gouache or water-mixable oil paint.
You should use a brush with a nice sharp tip. Brushes made from Kolinsky Sable Hairs are good for detail work.
Avoid using pure white paint for the whites of the eyes. Instead, use ivory or off-white. The whites of the eyes can have a blue/grey or red tint, depending on the lighting situation of your subject.
Add a few reflection spots to the eyes to give them a glossy, wet look. You can also add a gloss varnish on top of the paint to make the eyes look glazed over.
