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Interactive Asaro Lighting Reference
3D low-poly gray and green human head model viewed from above and slightly to the side.
Low-poly 3D rendering of a human head with black and green shading viewed from below.
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Continuing the Study

Progress happens when we build on the past. John Asaro’s original model broke the human face into simplified planes, teaching generations of artists how light and value travel across form.

I built this interactive browser tool to bring that timeless study into the present. By iterating on Xill’s Asaro Head Complex Side base model, this project acts as a living, digital provenance. It builds on what came before to make facial planar lighting accessible today.

If this tool helps your work, hearing that really means a lot. If you’d like to support my work, you can send a tip via PayPal, and tag me on Bluesky (@jonpatterson.bsky.social) if you share.
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Reference
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Interactive Asaro Lighting Reference

Simplify complex facial geometry with this free 360° reference, inspired by John Asaro’s classic Planes of the Head. Rotate the digital model and adjust lighting angles to master how shadows fall across structural planes. Perfect for portrait artists practicing accurate block-ins.

Instructions
Inspiration and credits
Asaro head planar model in light color with bright lighting and green rim light.
Dramatic Lighting
Neutral Lighting
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Orbit and move

Orbit the model or move the lights with click and drag. Pan using Shift + drag. Zoom using Command + scroll (Windows key on PC).

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Turn lights on/off

Press 1, or 2 on the keyboard to control one of two available lights. Each press cycles that light between two brightness levels and off.

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INSTRUCTIONS: Click and drag to orbit the model or move lights. Press 1, or 2 on the keyboard to cycle a light’s brightness with each press.
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