{"id":3402,"date":"2016-11-30T09:23:28","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T14:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/?p=3402"},"modified":"2026-04-02T02:15:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T06:15:57","slug":"how-to-draw-eyelashes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/2016\/11\/30\/how-to-draw-eyelashes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to draw eyelashes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hey guys! In this lesson, I\u2019m going to show you how to draw natural-looking eyelashes from scratch, along with some common mistakes I see many beginners make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever felt like your lashes look too stiff, too uniform, or just \u201coff\u201d and you can\u2019t figure out why, I hope this guide will help clear things up. We\u2019ll cover natural eyelash direction and shape, how to draw better strokes, how to make eyelashes look more natural, and then apply everything in a full step-by-step eyelash drawing tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Tools I Used:
<\/strong>I\u2019m using a mechanical pencil with 4B lead<\/a> for dark, clean strokes, along with an H and HB Pencil<\/a> for lash planning.
Canson Bristol Paper<\/a> (This smooth paper helps keep strokes looking sharp instead of grainy)
Kneaded Eraser<\/a> (To delicately adjust any lashes as needed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need these exact tools. Just choose a pencil grade<\/a> that stays sharp and can produce both light and dark values without getting too blunt too quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Eyelash Direction and Shape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we even touch the pencil, it helps to understand what eyelashes are doing on the face, so we can draw them more accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Natural<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eyelashes grow from the eyelid and angle toward the opening of the eye to help protect it from dust and debris. Because of this, they don\u2019t stick straight out like perfect sunrays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common mistake I see is drawing lashes that shoot outward in evenly spaced, straight lines. If lashes actually grew like that, they wouldn\u2019t be protecting the eye at all, and it ends up looking very unnatural in a drawing. (Refer to the example above comparing the \u201csunray\u201d lashes vs a more natural growth direction and their corresponding side-views).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eyelash<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The eyelid also wraps around the eyeball, which means it sits on a curved surface rather than a flat one. This affects how eyelashes appear, depending on where they are along the lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a front-facing eye, lashes near the center tend to curve more toward you, while lashes toward the sides appear wider and more angled. So instead of thinking of every lash as the same shape, it helps to adjust them based on their position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To simplify this, I like to think of eyelashes as \u201cJ\u201d shapes. Lashes near the center of the eye look like narrower J\u2019s, while lashes toward the sides stretch into wider ones. Practicing these variations (and everything in between) can make a big difference in how natural your lashes look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your eyelashes ever feel off, one of the first things to check is whether they\u2019re following the curvature of the eyelid and pointing in a believable direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improve Stroke Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"drawing-eyelashes-_-stroke-thickness\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Each eyelash should start thicker at the base and taper to a thin, sharp point. To achieve that effect, you want to begin your stroke with a bit of pressure, follow through with a smooth curve (take it slow), and then lift your pencil quickly at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the end of your stroke keeps coming out blunt, don\u2019t worry too much about it. You can always go back in with the sharp edge of your pencil and add a pointed tip afterward. If the addition ends up too dark, just pinch your kneaded eraser<\/a> into a fine point and lightly dab some graphite away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"drawing-eyelashes_multiple-strokes\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, don\u2019t feel like every eyelash needs to be drawn in a single perfect stroke. You can lightly sketch the shape first using an H pencil, then go over it with a darker pencil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my experience, drawing random, quick strokes won’t result in natural-looking lashes. It really helps to plan and draw each stroke carefully. One simple trick is to hover your pencil over the page and mimic the motion before touching pencil to paper. This makes it much easier to control the shape and angle you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troubleshooting Stroke Quality<\/h4>\n\n\n\n