My SECRET WEAPON for Drawing STUNNING Eyelashes on Mixed Media Portraits!!

Drawing eyelashes on mixed media portraits can feel super intimidating because it's probably one of the LAST things you add to your masterpiece! So many of my students ask how to paint eyelashes that look realistic and just what paintbrush or supplies work the best, because they know I've tested them ALL!! Before I demo my secret weapon, we need to talk for a hot minute about how to draw eyelashes step by step...

The first thing to keep in mind when drawing eyelashes is DIRECTIONALITY. As you can see in my sketch below, I start by drawing a set of parentheses on the outer edges of both the top and bottom eyelids. 

​The midpoint of your eye drawing is where the directionality of your individual eyelash lines will change. That midpoint lash will basically be a straight line, followed by consecutive lashes flicking out in opposite directions, like you can see below. 

Once you fill your lashes in on the top lid, repeat the process you followed for the lash line on the bottom eyelid.  The second important part of drawing GORGEOUS eyelashes has to do with the amount of pressure you apply with your pencil (or whatever you're drawing with!). 

You begin each lash line with MORE pressure, then flick up and out according to whatever directionality each eyelash needs to go.  Confused yet?! WATCH the VIDEO ;) It makes WAY more sense when you see it in action....

Once you have all the eyelashes drawn in for the top and bottom eyelids, it's time to take a second pass across each lid line, because as humans - we have TONS of eyelashes! And let's be real...you want the girl you're drawing to have fab lashes, right?! Let's glam her up!! 

While you're adding in a second set of lashes on each lid line, be sure to vary the length of each line. This is how our eyelashes are in real life. If you look closely - they're all different lengths. Paying attention to that little detail will make the eyelashes you draw look even more realistic! 

How do you put all this amazing-ness into action for your MIXED MEDIA PORTRAITS?!

I'm so glad you asked!!  Let me show you my secret weapon!! 

I'm in LOVE with the pentel pocket brush pen. Here's why...

First of all, I love this pen because it contains permanent ink. This is extremely important to me in mixed media work because I have lots of layering going on with sealants, etc. I NEED my ink at this point to be permanent. If I want to add a final sealant over the pretty eyelashes I've just drawn, I KNOW the ink I just laid down with the pentel pocket brush pen isn't going anywhere! 

One of the cool things about this pen is the tip of it is actually like a very fine brush. That means it applies like a paintbrush! Lastly - it's just a beautifully crafted pen!! 

I will give you a tiny warning about this pen though... it's super sensitive, and honestly takes a bit of practice to get a feel for it at first. You'll want to play around with it in your sketchbook before using it right out of the box on your latest mixed media canvas!  Just draw a bunch of practice eyes in your sketchbook and see what kind of pressure and look you like best! 

After today's little eyelash lesson, I'll take you straight over to put this into practice on one of my mixed media hamburger system girls! This particular piece is from a couple of years ago- before I discovered my fav little pocket brush.  Watch as I add these lashes in real time  - using directionality, pressure, and varying my lash lengths.  This cute little pen is also awesome for touching up eyebrows for a little added drama. ​So Fun!!

Come on over to YouTube and practice your eyelash drawing with me!!

If you need a copy of the Eyelashes Cheatsheet, just scroll down and request one in the comments of today's video. If you're a member of either the Fun Fab Drawing Club or Mixed Media Society (YAY!! I'm so happy you're here!!!), the Eyelashes Cheatsheet is already in your membership guide!! 

​
​I hope today's free drawing lesson helps you create mixed media lashes you are PROUD OF!! See ya next week ;) ​