I find eyes the hardest bits to do.. windows to the soul!

I remember learning in my Indian Art History course that Hindu sculptors would put the eyes on last [Array], literally "opening" the eyes of the sculpture. You don't look at Hindu sculptures, they look at you. And you receive Darsan [1]. Thus ends our art history lesson.

Ever since then, when doing figures, I always leave the eyes last. With respect duly paid to the Hindu tradition, I think I was inspired by the notion that we create these little characters, and they have their own life. The Velveteen Rabbit still brings me to tears, when the Skin Horse talks about being "real" [2]... *sniff*

But what is this tip about??

Use Photoshop to doodle eyes first! Then you don't have to bear the agonizing voodoo of popping out the eyes of your characters if they don't come out right.

Just copy the face over a bunch of times, add blank layers and lay them on a page, and try and few things.

OK, even if you're not superstitious, this tip can save you some time and materials too :)