How To Draw Anime Eyes With Depth Using Only Two Colored Pencils

Anime eyes are more than just stylized features—they’re emotional anchors. When drawn well, they convey mood, intensity, and personality without a single word. But achieving depth in such a small space can be challenging, especially when you're limited to just two colored pencils. Yet, limitation breeds creativity. With the right techniques, even minimal tools can produce striking results. This guide breaks down exactly how to create dimensional, expressive anime eyes using only two colored pencils—one light and one dark. No blending tools, no markers, no erasers beyond basic cleanup. Just pressure control, layering, and precision.

Understanding the Structure of Anime Eyes

Anime eyes follow a consistent anatomical blueprint, even when highly stylized. They consist of several key components: the outer eye shape, iris, pupil, highlights, upper and lower eyelids, and subtle shading around the socket. While realism is often exaggerated or abstracted, depth comes from how these elements interact with implied light.

The illusion of depth isn’t created by adding more colors—it’s built through contrast, gradients, and strategic placement. Even with only two pencils, you can simulate a full tonal range by varying pressure and layering strokes. The goal is not to mimic reality but to suggest volume and dimension within the conventions of anime aesthetics.

“Depth in drawing isn't about how many colors you use, but how well you understand light and form.” — Lila Chen, Illustrator & Art Instructor

Choosing Your Two Colored Pencils

Limiting yourself to two pencils forces intentionality. Choose wisely. For best results, select:

• A light tone (e.g., light blue, soft gray, pale pink) for base color and mid-tones.
• A dark tone (e.g., deep navy, charcoal, black) for shadows, pupils, and contour lines.

These don’t need to be complementary or contrasting; they should serve functional roles. The light pencil establishes luminosity, while the dark defines structure. For example, a sky-blue and indigo pairing works beautifully for classic anime eyes, where the blue suggests clarity and the indigo adds drama.

Tip: Test your pencil combination on scrap paper first. Press lightly and heavily to see how much tonal variation you can achieve.

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing Anime Eyes with Depth

Follow this sequence to build dimension using only two pencils. Work slowly and deliberately—each step builds on the last.

1. Sketch the Eye Shape Lightly in Pencil
   Begin with a faint outline of the eye using your light-colored pencil. Avoid pressing hard. Anime eyes are almond-shaped with a slightly curved upper lid and a thinner lower lid. Leave room for lashes and eyebrow influence.
2. Define the Iris and Pupil
   Draw a circle for the iris, usually positioned toward the inner corner to simulate gaze direction. Inside it, place a smaller, off-center circle for the pupil. Don’t make it perfectly round—slight asymmetry feels more natural.
3. Apply Base Color with the Light Pencil
   Fully fill the iris with your light pencil using gentle, circular strokes. Keep the pressure even. This layer acts as the foundation. Avoid coloring the pupil or highlight areas.
4. Add Gradual Shading with the Dark Pencil
   Use the dark pencil to shade the outer edge of the iris. Start at the top and work clockwise, applying heavier pressure near the top and tapering off toward the bottom. This simulates overhead lighting and creates a dome-like effect.
5. Layer Overlap for Smoother Transitions
   Go back over the shaded area with the light pencil, lightly overlapping into the darker zone. This mimics blending and softens the transition without smudging. Repeat 2–3 times to build a gradient.
6. Deepen the Pupil and Add Inner Shadow
   Fully darken the pupil with firm strokes. Then, add a small crescent of shadow beneath it, connecting toward the lower iris. This creates the illusion of curvature within the eye.
7. Draw Reflections and Highlights
   Leave white spaces or gently lift graphite with a kneaded eraser for highlights. Place one large highlight in the upper iris and a smaller one below. These break up flatness and suggest wetness and shine.
8. Outline Strategically
   Use the dark pencil to reinforce the upper lash line and outer iris edge. Keep the lower lid lighter—overlining here flattens the eye. Add a few individual lashes at the outer corner for emphasis.
9. Shade the Eyelids and Socket
   Lightly press the dark pencil along the crease above the eye and under the lower lid. Use short, feathery strokes to mimic skin texture. This grounds the eye in the face and enhances depth.
10. Final Adjustments
    Step back. Assess contrast. If the eye lacks pop, deepen the pupil or intensify the top shadow. If it feels too harsh, soften edges with light passes of the light pencil.

Do’s and Don’ts: A Quick Reference Table

Do	Don’t
Use variable pressure to create gradients	Press too hard too soon—build layers gradually
Leave white spaces for highlights	Fill in highlights with pencil—they lose impact
Focus shading on the upper iris and lid	Shade the entire iris evenly—it kills dimension
Keep lower outlines soft and thin	Outline the bottom lash line heavily—it flattens the eye
Use circular strokes for smooth color laydown	Use straight lines across the iris—they look mechanical

Real Example: From Flat to Dimensional in 10 Minutes

Sophie, an amateur artist, attempted her first anime eye using only a peach and maroon colored pencil. Her initial attempt was flat—the iris looked like a colored disk, and the eye lacked life. She followed the steps above: first laying down a soft peach base, then shading the top third with maroon using increasing pressure. She overlaid peach again to blend, left two white highlights, and added a curved eyelid shadow. In under ten minutes, the eye transformed. The maroon didn’t just add color—it suggested volume. The peach didn’t just fill space—it glowed. Without any additional tools, the final result conveyed emotion and focus, proving that technique outweighs material abundance.

Tip: Practice on printer paper first. It’s forgiving and shows how pencil pressure affects texture.

Maximizing Two Pencils: Advanced Techniques

You don’t need a full set to achieve professional-looking results. Mastery lies in exploiting the potential of what you have.

• Pressure Gradients: Train your hand to shift pressure seamlessly. Start with feather-light touches, then increase to medium, then firm—within a single stroke. This creates smooth transitions.
• Circular Layering: Apply multiple thin layers in concentric circles. Each pass builds richness without muddying the color.
• Directional Strokes: Follow the curve of the iris. Radial strokes from the pupil outward enhance spherical illusion.
• Edge Softening: After darkening a shadow, go over the edge with the light pencil using minimal pressure. This diffuses the line naturally.

Remember: colored pencils are translucent. Layering light over dark can mute tones, while layering dark over light adds richness. Experiment to see which order suits your desired effect.

Checklist: Drawing Anime Eyes with Two Pencils

Before finishing your drawing, run through this checklist:

• ✅ Did I sketch the eye shape lightly with the light pencil?
• ✅ Is the iris positioned correctly with a slightly off-center pupil?
• ✅ Have I applied a smooth base layer with even pressure?
• ✅ Is the top of the iris shaded darker than the bottom?
• ✅ Did I leave at least two white highlights?
• ✅ Have I layered the light pencil over the dark to soften transitions?
• ✅ Are the eyelid shadows subtle and directional?
• ✅ Is the lower lash line less defined than the upper?
• ✅ Does the eye appear rounded, not flat?
• ✅ Have I avoided over-outlining or over-shading?

FAQ

Can I use any two colored pencils for this technique?

Yes, but choose one light and one dark tone that contrast clearly. Avoid two mid-tones—they won’t create enough separation for depth. Pastel and deep jewel tones work best.

What if I don’t have a kneaded eraser for highlights?

You can carefully scratch out tiny highlights with a clean blade or pin, but prevention is better. Plan your highlights before coloring and leave them untouched. Even a small dot of white paper can read as a reflection.

How do I prevent my pencil from looking patchy?

Patchiness comes from uneven pressure or skipping areas. Use small, overlapping circular strokes and work methodically. Build color slowly—three light layers beat one heavy one.

Conclusion: Depth Is a Decision, Not a Resource

Creating depth in anime eyes isn’t about having the best tools. It’s about making smart choices with what you have. Two colored pencils are enough when you understand light, form, and layering. Every stroke should serve a purpose—defining shape, suggesting volume, or enhancing expression. You don’t need a rainbow of colors to evoke emotion. Sometimes, the most powerful drawings emerge from constraint.

💬 Ready to try it? Grab two colored pencils—one light, one dark—and draw an anime eye today. Share your result, tag a friend, or leave a comment with your biggest breakthrough. Mastery starts with the next stroke.