Step 9: Painting the Eye, Far Side – Portrait of Lisa
Painting the eye, far side. When completing the right eye in a three-quarter view, keep in mind that this eye will appear smaller and more obscured—often partially hidden by the bridge of the nose. It’s essential to paint what you see, not what you think you should see. Watch out for two common pitfalls:
- The Symmetry Trap
Our brains are wired to look for patterns and symmetry, and it’s tempting to try to make both eyes the same size and shape. Resist this instinct. The far eye (right eye) in a three-quarter view is foreshortened—it must appear narrower and often less detailed than the nearer eye. Accurately observing the angles, widths, and placement will help the portrait feel believable and three-dimensional. - The Space Illusion
You may feel there simply isn’t enough room to “fit” the second eye, but this is an illusion created by the shift in perspective. Rather than forcing it in, trust the relationships between landmarks: measure from the tear duct of the visible eye across the bridge of the nose to where the other eye begins. It may surprise you how little space it occupies. Use negative space and shadow shapes to help you place it correctly.
Tips for Painting the Right Eye:
- Observe proportion carefully—it’s not just smaller, it’s also more compressed horizontally.
- Look for shadow shapes that define the socket and lids; these are often more telling than the eye itself.
- Use soft edges and lower contrast on the far eye to help it sit back in space.
- Double-check alignment with horizontal guides from the brows and lids of the first eye.
- Resist “fixing” it to match the left eye—let it be different.
Above all, stay faithful to your visual reference. The more accurately you observe, the more convincing and lifelike your portrait will be.
