The Best Books about Oil Painting

Bill Creevy has been creating excellent reference books for those starting out - which also satisfy more experienced painters - for some time. This book is more than ten years old but has had a lot of good reviews on Amazon and also got some mentions and recommendations in my survey

"I love this book and it is full of interesting tid-bits you can go back to over and over again. It's more about experimenting with different type of oil and different approaches to painting in oil, rather than a how to paint an oil painting type of book. It was written 20 years ago, so may possibly need updating. I love Bill's enthusiasm for experimenting."
Maggie Latham

When I made the transition from painting in watercolour to oils (Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd) Bill Creevy's 'The Oil Painting Book' was (and is my bible). I wanted to know more about glazing in the first instance and this book has it all, different media, different techniques and materials, analysed and presented to the interested artist by an accomplished creative. I wanted to paint like him!!! This book is a treasure.
Lesley Ninnes

Amazon reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)

Now out of print and only available by dealers. Particularly relevant to those who want to paint landscapes and paint plein air using a pochade box.

Highlighted by a number of people in my blog survey. These are their comments

"A good all-rounder in the direct approach to oil painting, lovely loose style of landscape work."
Maggie Latham

"This book was the one that inspired me to get out and paint plein air and introduced the pochade box. Trevor Chamberlains loose representational work is used to take one through most aspects of painting outdoors. A good succinct text for beginners and improvers , particularly who want to paint outside. A few years ago I would have rated this a ten."
Fred Marsh

"A good choice for beginners and improvers, the first section deals with the basics. Each area covered is followed up with ideas for practice. The second section looks at the elements of a painting again with plenty of examples of Trevor's work and more practical tasks."
Tessa Spanton

A unique book - I've never come across another one like it

It's the only book I know of which talks in a lot of detail about brushes - the different types, the different makes and how to use them
"Mixing and loading paint, cleaning and shaping brushes for maximum control, and picking the right paint for specific types of strokes are all covered."

Peter Wileman, the President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters demonstrates his technique in several set by step demonstrations. This is not so much an art instruction book as "this is how I do it" plus some good tips. His paintings are eye-catching and always seem to sell well - so worth it's work taking a look

Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) | Like (8)

One of the most unusual books I've ever read. Minda Cateura wrote this book from notes she made in workshop sessions with David Leffel. She took what he said and organised it to create this book.

I've read it (thanks Ronelle!) and it's very impressive - and I now have it on order

Here are comments from my blog readers

"Cateura's 'Oil painting Secrets from a Master' was my first oil painting book and I find it excellent. Easy to read, great for beginners and great images. "
Sophie Ploeg

"Wonderful choice snippets picked up by Linda C when a student of David Leffel. Thought provoking ideas & hints which makes one think when constructing a painting. Coverage includes the importance of developing a concept for a painting, brushstroke techniques, Values, colour etc. Probably best for someone looking to improve and advanced, particularly if you paint still life. (Leffels are to die for.)"
Fred Marsh

This was my most borrowed and perused book while I was painting in Provence! Particularly useful for those going to go and paint in a colourful way in hot climes with strong sunshine and shadows!

David Curtis is one of the UK's most successful contemporary landscape artists who is also a popular tutor. He's equally proficient in oils and watercolours

A very popular and well regarded book which has been bought by a lot of people.

Kevin McPherson is a professional artist and tutor who is a master of painting outdoors and using a pochade. He is also a regular instructor at the Scottsdale Artists' School. This book is best for those wanting to create a vibrant, impressionistic style of painting.

Here's a comment from one of my readers

"I prefer this one to his other book on Landscape Painting. In particular I received good value on the coverage of plein air painting, traveling with paints and using a very limited palette"
Fred Marsh

Amazon reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars (59 customer reviews) | Like (22)

This book is #4 in top 100 best selling books about oil painting on Amazon

I first read this book by Gregg Kreutz when a friend brought it on holiday (see Four Go Painting in Provence) and came highly recommended by its owner. It was the only book I ordered from Amazon on my return.

The book addresses a checklist of questions relevant to oil painting - and art generally, explains essentials and demonstrates how to improve your painting. The critical difference for me is that this book is written by somebody who is very knowledgeable about oil painting. You just know that this is an author worth listening too

This is the paperback version of this extremely popular book about alla prima painting in oils

It's very expensive because everyone wants a copy!

Highly rated on Amazon and mentioned a lot in my survey (and in other surveys). I think I'd probably suggest this book actually occupies the top spot in the best books about oil painting.

This is what people had to say

"Schmid is hailed in the USA as one of the great living 'alla prima' painters. I used to own the paper back version of this book, but leant it to a friend and never had it returned. I do miss the book as it had very useful commentary on the value of creating colour charts...."
Maggie Latham

"The Richard Schmid Alla Prima book has had a massive impact on me. It is an incredible resource. I am on my 5th read of it so far and continues to offer greater and greater incites into direct painting."
Jake Gumbleton

"I will give a BIG thumbs up to "Alla Prima ~ Everything I Know About Painting" by Richard Schmid. It is a very thorough book -I have 2 copies, one for highlighting, and one for good. "
Sharon Lynn Williams

"Richard Schmid's Alla Prima I recently read and was very, very impressed. This is the best book on painting I've ever read. Love it. Not for beginners, but the ones who are already stuck into painting. "
Sophie Ploeg

"Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of alla prima painting. Design, tone, lowering chroma and colour charts were the things that I valued. Beginners through to advanced painters will get great value from this book"
Fred Marsh

"It's full of practical and down-to-earth advice. I've just started to get back into oil painting (my last one was done in 1975) and his help has been invaluable."
Walt Taylor

Now out of print and only available via dealers. It focuses on alla prima painting in oils

Gets excellent reviews from people who have bought it. It was also very highly rated in another survey I ran about favourite art books

This is one of the old standards republished - and hence will not suit all readers. However it is highly regarded.

One reviewer on Amazon compares this to Richard Schmid's 'Alla Prima' book in coverage but says that this book is more dense - which is why I've included it in the serious students / advanced painters section

"Harold Speed's second book 'Oil Painting Techniques and Materials ' is incredible"
Jake Gumblton