The damage evolution of high temperature plastic deformation of metallic materials was studied by use of continuum damage mechanics (CDM) theory. Based on thermodynamics, on a damage variable D and Zener-Hollomon parameter Z, and on the effective stress concept, a damage evolution model of high temperature plastic deformation was derived and was used to analyze the damage evolution of 1420 Al-Li alloy during high temperature plastic deformation. The model that is verified by tests can also be applied to the materials that are loaded prorata or out of proportion during high temperature plastic deformation. It extends the applied scope of damage mechanics.