with Tissa Hewavitharana

Shape of the eyes

When we become older the shape of the eyes change. The eye-brows also comes down nearer to the eyes.

You should keep in mind that when people are seen from a distance, their eyes are not clearly visible but appear as just dark shadows. This applies to the majority of subjects you sketch from life whether it's around town, in a supermarket, or wherever they may be.

Copy the examples, shown on Figure 1 in pencil, using thin and thick lines as necessary. Bear this in mind. It will save many mistakes and much time if the eyes are simply blocked in as in the early figures. It is possible to do it and still obtain a good likeness. Make a careful study of the people in Figure 2 (blocked in eyes). Next attempt to draw them.

With glasses

With age eyesight deteriorates, and most of us eventually go to an optician, later to come out self-consciously wearing spectacles.Sketching glasses is quite simple but it needs much practice. You need to practise a little technical draughtsmanship too! There are countless frame designs around to observe. It's best to sketch the frames only, and leave out the eyes unless a close-up portrait is being done.

Study the spectacles in Figure 3 and copy them. Notice the different types of frames.