Hi artists! I hope you’ve been doing great. In this tutorial, I’ll help you with one of the most common struggles among beginners: how to draw both eyes the same. It feels scary at first, but with the right technique, it becomes super easy.
In previous tutorials, we focused on drawing a single eye — which is simple because there’s nothing to compare it with. But when you draw two eyes together, keeping them balanced becomes a real challenge. After this tutorial, it won’t bother you anymore.
If you look closely, both eyes sit on guiding planes (the lines that connect them). We just need to tweak those lines to get the results we want.
And remember the three planar lines we used to draw a single eye? Those same lines will help you draw symmetrical, realistic eyes.
Learn
Drawing Tools for This Tutorial
- H pencil (for guiding lines)2B and 3B pencils
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Ruler (optional)
- Paper (any paper works)
Now that everything’s ready, let’s start the fun part.
How to Draw Both Eyes the Same — Easy Steps
Step 1: Draw Guiding Lines to Keep Both Eyes the Same Size
Begin by drawing three equally spaced horizontal lines.
Next, draw two vertical lines on one side. This spacing will be the width of your first eye.
Now remember this important rule:
The distance between both eyes is almost equal to the size of one eye.
So those vertical lines show the width of one eye. Then draw two more vertical lines beside them with the exact same spacing. This helps you keep both eyes the same size and positioned correctly.
Step 2: Draw the Outline of Both Eyes Using Basic Planes
The upper eyelid has three planes, and the lower eyelid has two planes. Use the lower horizontal line as the base where both eyelids sit. The tear duct dips a little below the line. Also, the iris covers most of the eye white.
If this feels a bit confusing, check out my earlier tutorials where I explained each part of the eye in detail. It will make this step very easy to follow.
Step 3: Shade Both Eyes Evenly for Realistic Results
Shading is the most rewarding part because this is where your drawing comes to life. It also tests your patience, so go slow and build layers gradually.
Some quick shading tips:
- Hold your pencil away from the lead for light pressure and closer for darker values.
- Move your hand in a smooth, constant motion to avoid patchy shading.
- Shade in layers to avoid unwanted shine in your graphite work.
If you want a full breakdown, check out my detailed tutorial on how to shade a realistic eye step by step.
Final Thoughts
This mini tutorial is part of my series of beginner-friendly guides on drawing eyes. Feel free to check out the others too!
I’m doing my best to bring valuable content to my lovely readers. If you found this helpful, please share it with your friends and family who love drawing. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get art tips and tutorials right in your inbox.
I’ll see you soon with another amazing tutorial!
Until then!
FAQ
Because most beginners skip guiding lines or don’t measure eye spacing correctly.
Draw two horizontal lines.
Draw two vertical lines on one side of those horizontal lines.
Now, keep the exact spacing of those vertical lines as your guide to draw two more.
You’ll get three blocks. Blocks 1 and 3 are where you draw the eyes.
Turn the paper upside down or take a quick photo and change its orientation. Mistakes will become visible immediately.
