stylized eye process (steps in desc)

i am by no means an expert on eyes, but i do like to have fun exaggerating them : ) ive also always wanted to do a drawing process, something simple to start out would be best i figured. ^^

1. here, i started off with a rough sketch to get the proportions down. no specific colors, + doesn't have to be anything fancy because this layer's opacity is going to be lowered later anyways.
2. i put down basic messy colors and shadows/highlights around the eyes on a new layer. if you're not sure where to put them, look up some references! after just a few real life eye studies, it's pretty easy to at least SOMEWHAT get the hang of.
3. nothing much done here, i just lowered the opacity and merged all of the layers.
4. i did some of this on a new layer - draw the eyelash base/eyeliner over the sketch. i also blended the rough colors. in some spots i left the shadows sort of rigid for effect. i'm a fan of the super smooth look, but you can also do the blending pretty roughly.
5. i cleaned up the shadows and highlights some more, and also blurred the iris. it's not super noticeable since i chose a dark eye color, but i also blended the black of the eyelashes/liner into the iris so that it flowed more naturally.
6. i did very minimal shadow/highlight changes here. i also added black makeup to the outer edge of the eyelid and a pale pink/white to the inner part, as well as around the inner canthus (the little pink thing in the corner of the eye).
7. in this step all i did really was add eyelashes. which admittedly, i could use a bit of practice at myself orz.. but i'm sure you get the general idea
8. step 8 brings it all together!! i added brighter colors to the eyes as well as a bunch of highlights so make everything nice & shiny. i also did some simple dots on the highlighted areas of the skin for a quick bit of texture.
9. for the last step, i edited the colors and saturation in gimp (even though i also have PS..old habits die hard). this step is optional, but has a great overall effect.