We say “the whites of their eyes.” But the highlight on the upper eyelid 
(1) is whiter than the white of the eye (2). It’s not easy to give in to this fact. After all, no one ever said, “don’t shoot until you see the highlight on their upper eyelids.”
This drawing from a photo does not resemble the 
model, but that doesn’t matter. Resemblance comes much later. And in any case, resemblance may not be the goal. The model/photo serves as inspiration and what happens in the drawing process is more important than likeness.
As you look at this drawing notice how important the shadow cast over the eye ball is for the expression and your conviction that this is a real person.
Drawing by Maggy Shell, charcoal, ~ 16” x 14”
https://artamaze.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/eyes-no-eyes/
https://artamaze.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/2778/
https://artamaze.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/andre-carrilho-and-the-mythic-window-to-the-soul/
All contents copyright (C) 2010 Katherine Hilden. All rights reserved.
artamaze by Katherine Hilden 