The "plane method" could be referring to edge extrusion from a single place as r_fletch_r described, or it could also be the method where you create the face in the front view and then proceed to pull things back in the side view to give it depth. Both involve planes. That's why we don't know which method you mean.
Try all the different methods you can (box model, plane edge extrusion, spline, etc.) and see which one works for you. I find that I personally like the plane-edge-extrusion the best, but just like many things you'll discover you're own unique preference and what works for you.
As for the face you posted...just a quick glance shows me your biggest problem:
Reference.
Reference is one of the most key elements to succeeding with head modeling. If you don't have good, accurate and matching front and side views, then your job will be tent times harder.
The reference you're using (at least the side view) looks incorrectly proportioned for a human. In the side view reference, look at how the mouth juts far out, the chin is small, the nose is too long (it should fall about halfway between the eyes and mouth), and there is virtually no brow ridge.
I wish you the best of luck. Head modeling's tough, and I know what it feels like and how difficult it can be. Best way to get better at it is to do as many faces/heads as you can, and you'll slowly get better and better.
Just a quick pointer, bc I didn't read what bean wrote but I'm sure those tutorials cover it, but the MAJOR problem with the face you modeled is edge flow, or rather lack of it. There are loops that end in the middle of nowhere, sometimes two or three loops ending on the same 7 sided poly, which is a big, big no no.. My first suggestions before you even jump into a 3d app is to draw some contours of the face model, the way the face flows. Those will be your major edge loops. Carry on from there.
to be honest...things are going to be wonky at first. but after lots of practice and edge flow study....you'll definitely get there. don't get too frustrated. you get it.
Replies
Try this tutorial its been around for years but the info is good.
Here are some tutorials:
Definitely my favorite: http://www.cgarena.com/freestuff/tutorials/max/headmodeling/index.html
This is a great one if you're doing the spline method: http://cg-india.com/tutorials/3dsmax_tutorials_organic_modeling.html
This one's okay, although I don't like the workflow very much: http://www.cgarena.com/freestuff/tutorials/misc/headmodeling/index.html
And then there's this one: [ame]
Try all the different methods you can (box model, plane edge extrusion, spline, etc.) and see which one works for you. I find that I personally like the plane-edge-extrusion the best, but just like many things you'll discover you're own unique preference and what works for you.
As for the face you posted...just a quick glance shows me your biggest problem:
Reference.
Reference is one of the most key elements to succeeding with head modeling. If you don't have good, accurate and matching front and side views, then your job will be tent times harder.
The reference you're using (at least the side view) looks incorrectly proportioned for a human. In the side view reference, look at how the mouth juts far out, the chin is small, the nose is too long (it should fall about halfway between the eyes and mouth), and there is virtually no brow ridge.
http://www.cgtantra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2966 That's just about the best place I've found so far for head reference. Just check them to make sure they match in both views before you use them.
Another thing is that you need to have edge loop rings around each eye and the mouth (you need those key edge loops especially if the head will be animated). There are other loops you need too, here's a good guide: http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/874/polyregionsif6.jpg and http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5171/newhead2hp2.jpg
I wish you the best of luck. Head modeling's tough, and I know what it feels like and how difficult it can be. Best way to get better at it is to do as many faces/heads as you can, and you'll slowly get better and better.