Recently I decided to challenge myself to do something that I been wanting to do, but been putting off, essentially because I was kinda scared to try. So I make up excuses like I don’t have enough time or what’s the point, etc. In order to motivate myself, I set forth some manageable criteria, such as doing it for only 15 mins-30 mins a day, and only for 7 days. Not a huge time commitment, right? So my challenge was to sketch or paint eyes.
My first day attempt was kinda creepy, I have to admit, lol. I just sketched freestyle. Not really knowing/understanding the creases/folds of the eyes. Not sure who this woman is..it could be someone that exists in reality.
Day 2 I watched a YouTube video by The Virtual Instructor and it gave me a better understanding of shadows/highlights and parts of the eyes, including tear ducts and creases, etc. I liked how you can follow along and pause the video to paint at your own pace. I’m really happy with the final result and wow such a realistic looking eye, I must say!
I find watching YouTube videos are so helpful! I’m so very grateful for those creatives and just people in general who post videos of their skillset/experience on the world wide webby for us to learn from! What an amazing world we live in! Let’s never forget that…the goodness/light in people. This time I painted a woman’s eye using the tutorial from Emily Olson Art. And she used the wet on wet technique mostly. I find that very helpful in the “white” area of eye making the colors more fluidly, watery, translucent, as it should be.
Putting the finishing touch on the eye! I find her eyes so captivating! What a beauty!
If you’re looking for an affordable and good quality watercolor paint set I’ve been using this Sakura Koi set for a couple years now and I just love it! It’s so pigmented and easy to mix colors.
I did the impossible! I was so scared to even attempt it. I was like no way I can duplicate this eye on the other side. I had no tracing paper so I didn’t have confident to do it. But you know what? I did it anyways. I told myself…it’s a challenge. And who cares if it doesn’t turn out “right” or if I messed up…I have to at least try. And wow! I did it! Such a euphoric feeling of accomplishment! Let this be a reminder to myself, to not be afraid to try…that nothing is impossible!
Here are the eyes aligned since initially I didn’t plan on drawing/painting those eyes as a set, lol. My cousin said I should frame it! I just need to find the right frame for it since it’s narrow and long.
For this day I spent 15 minutes just practicing with the eyelashes stroke. Just playing around with a lead pencil at first then a calligraphy pen to make it more natural, realistic looking. I find when I was using the paint brush it was so hard to control. Also, I don’t think my paintbrush is thin enough. I think I read/heard somewhere that we have an average of about 70 or so eyelashes.
The final day of the challenge! And I thought to end it with the toughest challenge possible…to draw my eye! How is it that the human eye have only a few components to it, yet with such slight variations we can differentiate who’s who just by their eye (eyes). Do you know what I mean? Or does our mind perceived what we “see”? Anywho…I’m so happy with the results of this challenge. Just going outside of my comfort zone and also just sharing with the world and possibly opening myself up to criticisms.
Hmmm…what’s my next challenge? Nose? Mouth? Ears? and toes? Lol…just kidding. I think I’m just going to stick to the face for now. I invite you to take on your own 7 day challenge as well…whatever it may be…like organizing a certain room in your house, or doing sit-ups for 7 day straight, eeek! Whatever it is..I hope it gives you a sense of accomplishment after completing it! 🙂