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Fine Arts · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Fine Arts Heads & Hands

The face and hands are the most expressive, and difficult, parts of the human body. This intensive anatomical course breaks them down into understandable planes and structures. Students will move beyond “symbol drawing” (drawing an eye shape) to understanding the skull orbit, the nasal cartilage, and the complex articulation of the carpals and phalanges, ensuring their portraits look solid and their hands look capable of movement.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Analyze the Osteology (Bone structure) of the Skull and Hand
  2. Master the "Planes of the Head" (Asaro Head) for lighting logic
  3. Render specific features (Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Ears) with structural depth
  4. Draw hands in complex gestures, focusing on foreshortening and grip
  5. Capture expression and aging (how skin drapes over bone)
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Skull: Foundation of the Portrait
  2. 02The Planes of the Face (Riley/Asaro Method)
  3. 03The Eye: The Sphere within the Orbit
  4. 04The Nose: Cartilage & Structure
  5. 05The Mouth: The Dental Arch & Barrel
  6. 06The Ear: Complex Geometry
  7. 07The Neck: Sternocleidomastoid & Trapezius
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09The Hand: Bones (Carpals & Metacarpals)
  10. 10The Hand: Pads, Tendons, & Veins
  11. 11The Hand: Proportions & Articulation
  12. 12Drawing Hands holding objects
  13. 13Hands & Heads: Compositional Relationship
  14. 14Expression: Muscles of the Face
  15. 15Aging: Gravity & Skin elasticity
  16. 16Final Project: The Self-Portrait with Hands

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Self-Portrait with Hands

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Drawing the Head and Hands by Andrew Loomis
  2. Drawing the Human Head by Burne Hogarth
  3. Drawing Dynamic Hands by Burne Hogarth
  4. The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression by Gary Faigin
  5. Constructive Anatomy by George B. Bridgman
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