How to Paint Eyes – Guest Post by Joan Allen

We have a real treat today.

Joan Allen offered to show us how she paints the fabulous eyes on her dolls and figures. (See her blog here.)

Joan’s instructions begin below the images (click the images to make them bigger):

A good way to begin painting eyes on a 3-dimensional object is to first draw an eye on paper, using a pencil or charcoal or even colored pencils to get a feel for where you want shadows and depth.

• I start off by painting the entire eyeball with a couple of coats of gray paint.
• Next, I paint the eyelids in a bright color or a shade that is slightly darker or lighter than the skin tone of the sculpture. (I usually have to go back and touch them up).
• I then paint the pupil, starting off with thinned paint until I get both pupils to look like they are “looking” in the same direction.

Drawing the pupil and iris with pencil first can be helpful.

• Pick a color for the iris, thin the paint to a light wash and paint around the pupil, working to get both eye as close to the same as possible.
• I then use a blending gel, dark gray paint or black and add shadows under the eyelids as well as under the eye.
• The white reflected “light” dots can be put anywhere on the eye and as many or as few as wanted. Any shape as well.
• Lastly, I put a high gloss on just the eyes and of course, never forget the false eyelashes!

About Joan:

“I live in Florida, a state that lends itself to outrageous colors and creativity.

I’ve been making art dolls off and on since the late 80’s.  Self-taught at a kitchen table littered with kids homework papers and cookie crumbs. It evolved into a nice little business for a time. Now, my focus is on learning different mediums and techniques and mixing them up like a mystery stew.

With the project involving the big blue eye, I decided to attempt making a large doll out of fabric and the head with paper mache clay. The eyes were easier for me to make out of polymer clay.”

Thanks, Joan!