Painting Eyes

[Steve Reed]

A number of folks here on the board have asked about how I paint eyes, so here is my first tutorial. Let me also say, there are many different ways of doing this, but this method works for me.
The first photos show my BLO mixture. It is BLO with a little raw sienna and yellow ocher mixed in. Apologize for the lighting, it's not really as orange as it appears.
I first coat the entire carving with the base coat, then wipe it off with paper towels. I then proceed to paint the eyeballs with Delta Light Ivory using a 0 size brush. Normally I put about 3 - 4 applications of the light ivory, full strength.

[Steve Reed]

Next step is to add the iris to the eye. For this piece I'm using Delta Wedgewood Blue. It gives a nice grayish-blue eye. These 2 photos show the eyes with just the Light Ivory, then with the addition of the Wedgewood Blue.

[Steve Reed]

The next step is to add the pupil to the eye. I use Delta Black, full strength. It's always better to have the eyes "looking" somewhere, at least for me. Either to one side, slightly up or down. Otherwise, the eyes have kind of a "spooky" look to them. After the pupil has been added, I add the "sparkle" which is a dot of full strength Delta White.

[Steve Reed]

The next step is what I like to call adding the "wow" factor. I use a Micron .005 artists pen (black) to outline the iris and to add a shadow line under the eyelid. I also carry this shadow line into the corners and just barely onto the lower lid as well. The first pic shows the pen, the second shows the Elf's right eye completed.

[Steve Reed]

Here is a pic of the completed eyes. At this point you can call it done, or alternatively you can wait for the eyes to dry (couple of hours) and paint with either Modge-Podge, or a clear varnish, to give then a "wet" or glossy appearance.
That's all there is to it! I should point out that I used the same brush for all the steps, so this method is both quick and easy, at least for me!
Thanks for looking, and give it a try.
Steve

[kdispoto]

Steve

Great tutorial. You have done the forum members a big favor.
A couple questions...
1. Do you mark the eyes in pencil 1st or just paint them in by eye (no pun intended this time but it should have been).
2. What size brush do you use to apply the black?

[Steve Reed]

Ken, I just "eyeball" it. Probably should mark with pencil first, but I don't. :-)
As far as the brush goes, I use the same one all the way through. Size 0. In one of the first pics you can see the brush.
Steve

[kdispoto]

Thanks Steve - I suppose this is going to cost me some more cookies - huh?

[Steve Reed]

You bet! Sprinkly ones! I never did get the green Christmas tree cookie. . . .grrrrrr LOL!

[Mark Dellinger]

Steve,

Thanks so much. Very informative. Nice Job!

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark