I have been practicing realistic cat eyes for a while now, and I'm no expert, but I thought I'd show you how I do it.

What you'll need is simply any kind of pencil, or if you prefer pastels that is fine.

Whatever kind of paper you have will work; for example, card stock, computer, sketchbook.

You will also need some kind of blending tool. You can use a Q-tip if you don't have one. I don't recommend using your finger though.

Also, let me point out that you should draw lightly throughout this tutorial, for this will help you to erase easier until you are finished. ;)

Step 1: Draw a an Oval.

So for this step, you will want to start out with an oval at a slight angle. I find drawing an oval first makes it easier to get the shape of the eye that you want. You don't just have to make an oval, you could make a circle, or a triangle, whatever shape you want the eye to be.

Step 2: Tear Duct, Pupil, and Shine.

The next three steps include drawing the pupil, large or small, the shine, which is the reflection of the source of light, and finally the tear duct.

Step 3: Define the Eye.

Now you can define the eye.

Remember, if you will need to erase, to draw lightly. I put crisp, dark lines on mine because I knew I wasn't going to erase.

Step 4: Shading Part 1#

Once you have defined the cat eye, now you can start shading the iris. Start by LIGHTLY shading over the inside, leaving an unshaded gap around the pupil. This will give the eye a bit of dimension. Then blend/smudge it with your blending tool.

And remember to leave the shine totally white.