How to Draw an Eye (Easy Step-by-Step for Kids)

To draw an eye, start with an almond shape that is pointed at both ends. Draw a big circle for the iris and a smaller circle for the pupil. Finish with shine circles, eyelashes and an eyebrow.

Finished cartoon eye with a blue iris, a black pupil with white shine circles, curled black lashes and a brown eyebrow
The finished eye
Steps
6 easy steps
You need
  • Pencil
  • Eraser
  • Black marker
  • Light blue, dark blue and brown crayons

Updated

Teaching this to a class?

Show one step at a time on the board and wait for the class before the next. The directed drawing for kids page explains how to run it.

How to draw an eye step by step

  1. An almond-shaped eye outline, pointed at both ends

    Step 1 of 6: Draw an almond shape that is pointed at both ends.

  2. A big circle for the iris, touching the top and bottom lines of the eye

    Step 2 of 6: Add a big circle for the iris that touches the top and bottom lines.

  3. A small circle in the middle of the iris for the pupil

    Step 3 of 6: Draw a small circle in the middle of the iris for the pupil.

  4. A bigger black pupil with two white shine circles, and one more small shine circle on the iris

    Step 4 of 6: Make the pupil bigger and fill it black, leaving two white shine circles. Add one small circle on the iris.

  5. Five curled eyelashes on the outer half of the top lid and a curved eyebrow above the eye

    Step 5 of 6: Add five curled eyelashes on the outer half of the top lid and a curved eyebrow above.

  6. The eye colored with a dark blue and light blue iris, a black pupil, white shine circles and a brown eyebrow

    Step 6 of 6: Color the iris dark blue at the edge and light blue inside, and the eyebrow brown. Leave the shine circles white.

Tips for little artists

  • Tip: Press lightly with the pencil first. Trace the lines you like with the marker, then erase the rest.

  • Tip: Color the iris dark blue near the edge and light blue inside. The two blues make the eye look shiny.

  • Tip: Start the lashes at the middle of the top lid and space them out to the outside corner.

Make it yours

  • Green or brown eye

    Color the iris green, brown or hazel to match your own eyes in a mirror.

  • Cartoon eye pair

    Draw two eyes side by side and add a nose and a smile below them.

  • Sleepy eye

    Draw only the bottom half of the iris under a curved top lid, with the lashes pointing down.

Common mistakes and easy fixes

  • The ends of the eye are round

    Bring the top and bottom lines together in a sharp point at each end.

  • The iris floats in the white

    Draw the iris big enough to touch the top and bottom lines of the eye.

  • The lashes stick straight up

    Curve each lash away from the eye, like a little hook. Start each one on the top lid.

Fun facts about the eye

  • The iris is the colorful part of the eye. When people have blue eyes, they really have blue irises. (Source: KidsHealth)

  • The pupil is the black circle in the center of the iris. It is really an opening that lets light into the eye. (Source: KidsHealth)

  • On average, adults blink about 14 to 17 times a minute. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)

Questions grown-ups ask

What is the easiest way to draw an eye?

Draw an almond shape, a big circle for the iris and a black pupil. Add shine circles, lashes and an eyebrow. The 6 steps above follow that order.

How do you draw a cartoon eye?

Make the iris and pupil extra big and leave two white shine circles. A few curled lashes and a thick eyebrow finish the cartoon look.

How do you draw an eye step by step?

Start with the almond shape, then the iris, the pupil, the shine circles, and the lashes and eyebrow. Color the iris last.

If your eye came out a little lopsided, that's fine. Try drawing a second one next to it. More easy drawings for kids are on the home page.

Step 1 of 6

An almond-shaped eye outline, pointed at both ends
Draw an almond shape that is pointed at both ends.