Help with painting eyes?

[Xander]

I'm nearing completion of my first 1/6 scale custom and I've got to pull the eyes of just right or I'm SoL. Any tips on how you guys do it?

[DarkArtist81]

Well Monitor... first you have to have a very good brush, one with a good tip... but not too skinny or you might totally ruin everything.

First you mix an off-white color for the eye, almost like an egg yolk. Over time you will find it and be able to mix it anytime at the drop of a hat. I use a mix of yellow, red and white to get my eye color.

Let it dry!!! At least 30 minutes.

Once you finish that, find out what color eyes you plan on painting and start thinking of shades you want. Get your base color, whether it be brown, blue, green or even some freaky red or yellow....

Mix at least 3 different shades... one Dark as hell, nearly black.... One lighter, a good normal looking color, and one a good bit lighter. If you want a really stark set of eyes... mix up a very very light shade. Start dark and end light with smaller circles each time. If you want you can water down some of your medium shade and do a very light wash over the color once it's dry to get a good blend.

For the eye's "dot" you can do many things... all of which I have tried. If you have a steady hand and steely nerves you can just dot it with a brush. I don't do it because years of Navy mechanic work and sanding Fighter Jets have ravaged my nerves... so... I use a fine tip Sharpie. Yep, you heard me right. I cheat!!

It's easy and it will leave a very clean dot that will amaze your peers and even yourself when it's finished. (i.e.... my Superman repaint :D )

I don't put the white dot on the corner of the iris because I don't like it. I just put a dot of gloss over the iris and wait for it to dry. I follow this up with a coat over the entire eye, this gives the illusion of a true iris... it works wonders.....

Hope that helped!! :D