The Elementary Guide to Drawing Realistic Cat Eyes

colored pencil cat eyes

Let's be real: you can make the nigh gorgeous kitty cartoon, but if you don't get the eyes just correct, the whole thing can wait a bit off. Don't be a scaredy cat — perfecting feline eyes is easy if you know how to tackle the task.

Cat Eyes

Level: Easy

What Y'all Need

  • Paper
  • 2B pencil
  • 4B pencil
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Reference photo

    • Instructions

    1. Know the Anatomy

    Substantially, a true cat's eye has the same anatomy as a human'southward: each eyeball sits back in the skull and is partially covered by the eyelids. So, merely equally yous would when drawing a human head, sketch out the placement of features using guidelines first.

    To place the eyes, divide the face in one-half vertically and horizontally. The optics should go along a horizontal line halfway betwixt the elevation of the caput and the center horizontal guide. Apply the center vertical line to space the eyes apart. Usually, the distance between the cat's eyes is the equivalent of one eye — again, just similar a human.

    two. Sketch the Bones Shape

    sketch of cat eyes

    Now commencement drawing the optics. Remember to utilise calorie-free pencil strokes; you'll erase some of these marks as your cartoon progresses.

    Brainstorm with a circumvolve, and so turn your attending to the shape of the eyelids and how each covers the eyeball. The upper eyelid considerably covers the eye, while the lower lid curves effectually it (refer to the left eye in the epitome to a higher place).

    The within corner of the eye is normally lower than the exterior corner. You tin describe more horizontal guidelines to brand sure these corners are aligned. When your lids are sketched, erase the excess circles above the summit eyelids.

    3. Describe the Details

    Get-go blocking in the details — this is when it's super of import to pay close attention to your reference photo. Describe the true cat's pupils (these can range from skinny capsule-shaped lines to large, round, black circles) and lightly sketch in whatever highlights.

    Pro Tip: When the bones features are in place, rotate your cartoon upside downwardly to cheque for mistakes. Awkward or uneven shapes become much more noticeable from this POV. Fix them before you start shading.

    4. Shade the Optics

    shading cat eyes

    When you lot're happy with the basic sketch, begin shading with a 4B graphite pencil and a kneaded eraser. Start by shading the pupil, then add a shadow many first-time cat eye artistes might non think about: a cast shadow from the upper eyelid. Information technology may exist subtle, but this detail adds so much realism to your drawing. It's actually the key to making the staring cat optics look lifelike and appealing and not similar a zombie cat staring into your soul.

    When you're done with the heart itself, shade in the tones along the bottom lid using nighttime, soft strokes. Make sure to shade along the curvature of the lid and then you lot don't lose the roundness of the eye. Shade around the superlative eyelid besides. Then apply your kneaded eraser to elevator areas of the inside corners to add details with soft light. Don't forget to define the highlights and reflections in your cat's eye with the eraser as well!

    Bank check your drawing confronting the reference photograph and make any necessary adjustments before moving on.

    5. Shade the Surrounding Fur

    shading fur around cat eyes

    Successfully shading the eyes is just the kickoff! You need that soft, fuzzy surrounding fur to complete the effect. Work with these special strokes to go the most realistic depiction.

    Pay attention to the length, colour and management of the fur. Work slowly and keep the management of your strokes consistent with what you lot run into in your reference photo. Alternate between using your pencil and kneaded eraser to achieve the values and details. When you're satisfied with your progress, continue building and sketch in the entire face. Purrrfect!

    Good to Know: The rules for sketching cat eyes are the same, no matter your medium. Things only differ when it comes to shading or calculation color. Spotter the our course Pet Portraits in Colored Pencil for a detailed stride-by-stride!