Painting eyes on miniatures strikes fear into many painters' hearts, but with the right technique and steady hand, you can bring your models to life.
The Basic Eye Method
Start with a dark base color for the entire eye socket. Paint the white of the eye leaving dark lines at top and bottom. Add the iris as a vertical line, then dot the pupil. Finally, add a tiny white reflection dot.
- Paint eye socket with dark brown or black
- Add off-white for the eyeball (pure white looks unnatural)
- Paint iris as a vertical line touching top and bottom
- Dot pupil in center of iris
- Add tiny white dot for reflection
For more on this topic, check out our guide on Color Theory for Miniatures: Painting Metallic Armor.
Steady Hand Techniques
Rest your painting hand on your other hand for stability. Hold your breath while making the stroke. Some painters swear by a morning coffee, others avoid caffeine. Find what works for you.
- Brace both hands together
- Rest elbows on table
- Paint after warming up on easier details
- Use magnification if needed
Common Mistakes
Avoid making eyes too large - less is more. Don't use pure white as it looks unnatural. If you mess up, it's easier to repaint the whole eye than try to fix it.
Related Reading
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Article by Enoch Thoreux, dedicated to helping miniature painters of all skill levels improve their craft.