I learned to do this by watching many artists on youtube. I am by no means an expert, but I am improving all the time. This is an amazing project that you can do with things you buy at the dollar store!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

For this project you will need:

Cabochons
Acrylic Paint.
Paint Brushes.
Pins.
Mod Podge.
Reference Images (Optional but I love to use a collection of inspiration images so every eye is fantastic!)

Step 2: Paint Your Pupil and Edges

Start with black paint form a definite pupil. Next using a very fine brush, feather small lines close together around the edge.

Step 3: Draw Out Tiny Lines Using a Pin

This step is what makes the eye appear more realistic. Using the pointy end of a pin draw out very small lines of paint from the paint that you put down. It should look like very detailed feathering. Sometimes I apply a little more paint during this step as it dries as I am working.

Step 4: Layer New Colour

Next I layer on a new colour beside the pupil, usually a light one. So the eyes I was painting for this Instructable were reds, oranges, and yellows, so my first colour beside the pupil was metallic gold. I will often use metallic gold, silver, or white at this stage. Next draw out small lines from your gold with your pin, making sure you wiped it off from the black.

Step 5: Continue to Layer Colours

Next I layered small lines of red coming out from the edges, and from the pupil. Repeat the pin step after every colour. As I moved in I used a dark orange, then the pin, a lighter orange, pin, amber, pin, and finally yellow, and the pin. Leave to dry for about an hour.

Step 6: Cover the Back With a Coat of Paint and Mod Podge

Cover the entire back with one colour. This is in case you have any clear streaks from your last pin step. I always use my light colour, in this case metallic gold for this step. Allow the gold coat to dry for at least 2 hours. Cover the entire back with Mod Podge to seal and protect your paint.