6 Essential Tips for Painting Believable, Glowing Eyes in Watercolor

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Have you ever poured hours into a watercolor portrait, only to feel like the face still looks flat or lifeless? Wondering what key details you need to include in the eyes to make them look truly realistic and full of life?


Whether you're just starting out with watercolor portraits or looking to level up your skills, one of the best ways to grow as a portrait artist is by practicing individual facial features in isolation.


And, arguably, eyes are the most important feature to master because they're what bring a portrait to life.


Not to mention, they're often the focal point of a portrait painting, the place where the viewer connects emotionally.

That’s why today I’m sharing my top six tips for painting believable, glowing eyes with watercolor. 


These are the very things I wish someone had explained to me when I was starting out.


If you start applying them in your own practice, you’ll avoid a lot of frustration and see your progress speed up dramatically.


Let’s dive in!



1. Start with a High-Quality Reference Photo

This may seem basic, but it’s where many beginners go wrong.

Using a poor-quality or poorly lit reference photo can make your job significantly harder - and your results will lack depth. 

Here’s what to look for in a reference photo for painting eyes:

• It’s large enough to zoom in and see details clearly
• The lighting isn’t overly dark or blown out—it includes a full range of values: lights, mid-tones, and darks
• It’s sharp, not pixelated or blurry​

Good lighting and clarity help you see important details like reflected light, subtle shadow transitions, and moisture in the eyes—all of which are key for painting eyes that glow and feel real.

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*
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2.  Start With a Solid Preliminary Pencil Sketch

It’s tempting to jump straight into painting, but your pencil sketch lays the foundation for everything to come.

Proportions, shapes and alignment matter so much when it comes to eyes.

Before painting:

• Make sure both eyes are aligned and that the pupils are looking in the same direction
• Check the size and placement of pupils within the irises
• Lightly sketch in the tear ducts, water lines, and even a few lashes to plan your brushwork
• Preserve your highlights! These glimmers of light help eyes look moist and alive, so either leave them white or protect them with masking fluid.

Your sketch is your roadmap - don’t rush it!



3. Understand the Anatomy of the Eye

You don’t need to be an anatomy expert, but having a basic understanding of eye structure will help you paint them more convincingly.

It’ll allow you to better interpret what you're seeing in your references - and know exactly what to look for to get stronger results.

It informs what to include in your painting: iris, pupil, tear duct, eyelid creases, waterlines, sclera, highlights, and lashes.

Keep in mind:

• The eyeball is a sphere nestled into a deep socket in the skull
• The lids curve around it and cast shadows
• The brow bone protrudes, creating a shadow below
• Shadows often appear in the inner corner of the eye and along the bridge of the nose

This 3D understanding helps you place shadows more accurately and avoid flatness.



4. Add Subtle Shading to the Sclera

​Despite being called the “whites” of the eyes, the sclera isn’t pure white. Leaving it unshaded can make your eyes look unnatural or unfinished.

Instead:

• Start with a very light gray wash in shadow areas and darken areas more after the light gray has dried
• Create shadows near the tear duct, outer corner, and under the upper eyelid
• Be subtle—these tones should support the eye’s roundness and placement in the socket

This gentle shading gives depth and realism to eyes.



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Recommended Watercolor Supplies

Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper 100% Cotton 9x12" Sheets

Faber-Castell 9000 Series Drawing Pencils Tin Box With 6 Pencil Grades

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Van Gogh Watercolor Tube Set With 20 Colors

Princeton Neptune Watercolor Brushes

​For a full list of my current favorite supplies, go here. 


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5. Layer Gradually to Build Depth in Skin Areas

Watercolor works best when built up in layers. Resist the urge to go in too dark too soon.

Instead:

• Begin with light washes to establish general values
• Gradually build up to your darkest darks
• Let each layer dry fully before moving on

This allows you to use the translucency of watercolor to your advantage, letting light reflect off the paper and create that luminous, glowing effect.

Wondering how to create believable skin colors with watercolor? Check this video out. In it, provide my favorite strategy for creating any skin color. 


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​6. Practice and Plan Your Eyelashes

Eyelashes are easy to overlook—but they can make or break a painting.

Done well, they add realism and can finalize a portrait painting. Done poorly, they can distract or even ruin your hard work.

Here are my top tips for eyelashes:

• Wait until the very end to add them so you don’t have to paint around them
• Use a small brush with a fine tip - consider using a size 0 rigger or round brush
• Pay attention to the length and direction of lashes and how they change along the lash line - shorter near the inner eye, longer toward the middle and outer edges
• Use curved, varied strokes, not stiff lines or symmetrical patterns
• Cluster lashes together in different ways
• Keep your paint at the right consistency (start with “coffee” thickness and adjust to “milk” if needed)

And don’t overdo it!

Too many lashes can make your subject look like they’re wearing false lashes or too much like a doll!



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Bonus Tip: Know When to Stop

This might be the most important tip of all.

One of the easiest ways to ruin a painting - especially in watercolor - is by overworking it.

Watercolor shines when we let it breathe.

Avoid over-layering, over-blending and don't sweat the small stuff! As much as possible, allow the paint to do its thing. 

• Take breaks and step back often
• Ask yourself: Does this look and feel real?
• Embrace imperfection and artistic interpretation - you’re not trying to copy a photo, you’re creating a painting

Realism doesn’t come from capturing every eyelash or pore. It comes from understanding light, form, and structure, and making thoughtful, informed choices as you paint.


Final Thoughts:

Eyes can be challenging, but they’re also deeply rewarding to paint.

If you focus on building strong foundations, studying basic anatomy, and allow yourself time to practice, you'll see huge improvements in your work. 


If you'd like to follow along with my real-time, fully narrated watercolor tutorials, I have two eye studies available over on Patreon, along with over 130 exclusive step-by-step tutorials for members in the Budding Artist and Rising Star tiers.

It’s the perfect next step if you’re serious about building your watercolor skills.

​See you inside! 

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