How to Draw Anime Eyes Step by Step
Welcome to your first drawing lesson on anime eyes. Let's break it down into simple steps together. Each card below shows exactly what your page should look like at that step. New lines are dark, earlier lines fade back, guides are orange.
Anime eyes can be simplified into a large oval for the eye shape and smaller circles for the iris and highlights. We'll use light pencil strokes to start, gradually refining the details as we progress.
✎ lesson by Lino Ti · construction method, checked step by step · updated July 2026
the finished anime eyes ✎
Draw the Eye Shape
Lightly sketch a large horizontal oval for the eye.
Start by drawing a large horizontal oval. This will serve as the basic shape for the anime eye. Keep your pencil strokes light and gentle, as this is just the foundation of your drawing. The oval helps us capture the overall size and orientation of the eye.
check: Ensure the oval is symmetrical and properly sized for your intended character's expression ✎
Add Proportion Lines
Lightly draw a horizontal and vertical line to divide the oval.
Next, draw a horizontal line across the middle of the oval and a vertical line down the center. These lines help us place the iris and highlights correctly. They serve as guides to ensure everything is balanced and proportionate within the eye shape.
check: the lines are centered and straight, as they guide the rest of the drawing ✎
Refine the Eye Outline
Refine the oval into a more eye-like shape with curves.
Now, refine the oval into a more natural eye shape by adding curves to the top and bottom. This step is where you start to see the eye take form. Use smooth, light strokes to adjust the edges, creating the upper eyelid's curve and the lower lid's gentle arc.
check: Make sure the eye shape feels balanced and natural before moving on ✎
Place the Iris
Draw a circle for the iris using the proportion lines as a guide.
Using the center lines as a guide, draw a circle within the eye for the iris. Position it so it sits slightly below the horizontal line, giving the eye a more dynamic look. This is where the character's gaze will be focused, so take your time to get it right.
check: Ensure the iris is centered and proportionate within the eye shape ✎
Add Highlights and Details
Draw smaller circles for highlights and add eyelashes.
Inside the iris, draw smaller circles to represent highlights. These give the eye its characteristic shine. Add a few curved lines extending from the top of the eye for eyelashes. These details bring the eye to life, adding depth and expression.
check: the highlights and eyelashes are placed naturally and enhance the eye's expression ✎
Finalize with Line Weight
Darken the final lines, varying the pressure for emphasis.
Now, go over your drawing with more pressure to finalize the lines. Use heavier lines for the upper eyelid and lighter ones for the lower lid and details. This variation in line weight adds depth and emphasis, making your anime eye stand out beautifully.
check: Ensure your final lines are confident and enhance the overall look of the eye ✎
Add Tone and Shade
Pick where the light comes from, then shade the opposite side with light strokes.
Time to learn tone. Artists call the grays between white and black values, and even three are enough: light, medium and dark. Decide where your light comes from, and imagine it shining from the top left. Now shade the opposite side with the side of your pencil, in soft even layers. Shading is what makes your drawing feel round instead of flat.
check: the shading sits on the side away from the light ✎
Finishing Touches
Darken the boldest edges, fill the darkest details, and add a few texture strokes.
The last minute is where the magic happens. Press harder on the outer contour so it stands out, and keep the inside lines thin and soft. Fill your darkest little details completely, add a few short strokes for texture, and give the drawing a soft shadow to sit on. Mixing thin, soft and hard lines is what gives a drawing its character.
check: your outer lines look bolder than your inner ones ✎
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