D R AW

AW I N G P R O G R A M
Head Drawing Phase I:
Basic Head Construction—Simple Asaro Head

OVERVIEW 

 What
 Wha t you
y ou will learn:
lea rn: The “Asa ro” memoriz
memo rizatio
ationn head
h ead was designed
desi gned to be an
a n intro
i ntro to the simples
sim plestt plane
p laness
of the head. You will see in a f ew lessons a more complex version. Make sure to use the Conté charcoal
pencil when copying the ones from the video. After you have done those, continue to repeat as often as
 you can until
unti l you
y ou firmly
firm ly grasp
gras p them.
t hem. You can also
als o sketc
s ketch
h them
t hem with graphite
grap hite or ball
b allpoi
point
nt pen
p en in
i n your
y our
sketchbook. Note: The planes are caused by various directional changes of pieces of anatomy. The skull
as well as muscle rhythms/abstraction are part of them. We separate them so they are easier to study.
Once they become intuitive, they will be brought back together.

This head will provide you with

a good foundation for basic head
drawing. You will start to draw 
upon this information when you
get into painting.

Pserving e Traditions  the Maste 

 D R AW I N G P R O G R A M
Head Drawing Phase I:
Basic Head Construction—Simple Asaro Head

MATERIALS

      

charcoal pencil
     
charcoal-friendly paper
   
     
  

 S E T T I N G U P

       

  
    
  
Suggested Reading:     
     
  
Comes with Asaro head     
 www.planesofthehead.com
 Drawing the Head and Hands
Andrew Loomis
 Figure Drawing Design and Invention
Michael Hampton

Pserving e Traditions  the Maste 

 D R AW I N G P R O G R A M
Head Drawing Phase I:
Basic Head Construction—Simple Asaro Head

 ASSIGNMENT 3: BASIC HEAD CONSTRUCTION–SIMPLE ASARO HEAD

In this assignment you will learn the basic planes of the head. Make sure and a pply yourself. We will
 build off this exercise in a few lessons to tackle the more complex “Asaro” planes of the head.

Part 1: Read over handouts that cover essential key notes and tips. Some of these were covered in the
video, but there are important additional tidbits you may find helpful. Don’t forget what you
learned during the foundation phase.

Part 2: Copy Jeff’s drawings of the various angles.

1) Start with the profile view first. Copy my drawing while referring to the photo as well. You
can always go back and review the video if you get stuck. (After copying my drawing, try it
from the photo as well.)

2) Next, draw the front view. Again, use my drawing and the photo provided. You will need to
do these several times over a period of time. This information needs to become ingrained.
You can always test yourself by trying to draw it from memory.

3) Now, draw the three-quarter view. This is the most commonly used angle in portraiture.

Part 3: Draw from the photos this time.

Repeat the above now drawing from the various photos provided of the profile, straight-on,
and three-quarter poses.

Part 4: Before going on to the next lessons, spend some time in your sketchbook drawing these
angles. Remember, intuitive knowledge is not accomplished overnight but over many days of 
repeated study. The next planes of the head will build off this one. Stick in there, we’ve all
had to do this!

Pserving e Traditions  the Maste 

 D R AW I N G P R O G R A M
Head Drawing Phase I:
Basic Head Construction—Simple Asaro Head

S I M P L I FI E D P L A NE S O F T H E H E A D ( M E M O R I ZAT I O N P L A N E S )

Note: The Asaro head was designed by artist John Asaro. Go to www.planesofthehead.com to purchase one.

- TIP -
The planes of the head should be memorized. These planes will allow us to model
the head in light and shade. We will start by memorizing the simplified planes. After
studying one of the major head positions for one half hour or so, take a break. Turn
the page and now draw the same angle from memory. If you can’t, don’t worry!
Repeat this same head position two or three times. Make it one whole evening of 
study, maybe one or two hours. Be patient. It’s not a race!

Pserving e Traditions  the Maste 

 D R AW I N G P R O G R A M
Head Drawing Phase I:
Basic Head Construction—Simple Asaro Head

Pserving e Traditions  the Maste