![Side view of the panda armature with foam eyes and cardboard ears](https://rebeccaruggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Panda-Bear-Foam-Eyes-and-Cardboard-Ears-Side-by-Rebecca-Ruggles.jpg)
Using 3″ styrofoam balls cut in half, I placed the eyes in a line extending from the nostril to the ear. Then made sure the eyes were in a straight line with each other to get proper face proportions. My panda will be cartoonish, but these reference points make a huge difference in forming a believable bear.
![](https://rebeccaruggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Panda-Reference-Points-by-Rebecca-Ruggles.jpg)