The Best Books for Artists

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There's nothing like a good old fashioned book, that you can hold in your hands, filled with beautiful art, to instruct and inspire artist and art lover alike. Some of the books recommended here instruct, some are biographies and some are histories. We can learn to express ourselves, discover how other individuals have expressed themselves and touched the souls of many and learn how civilizations across the ages have expressed themselves all through these beautiful books.

Art Books and Supplies make GREAT GIFTS

The artists and creative folks in your life are sure to appreciate a beautiful art book or some new art supplies as a gift for birthdays,anniversaries,Christmas even Valentine's Day!. In fact, most artists consider it a token of affirmation when others recognize their interest and ability in art, so giving the gift of art books and supplies is a good way to encourage a friend of family member who likes to paint or draw. This is especially true of children and teens. This year be the one who affirms their talent and gifts, you never know where a little encouragement will lead them.

Book of the Month - May

This Month's Recommendation

I just purchased this book for myself and I'm very excited to share it with you!

This is a gorgeous oversize book with full size strikingly beautiful full color reproductions of Winslow Homer's watercolors.

This one is a real visual treat you will look through and enjoy again and again.
Filled with inspiration for the watercolorist and art lover alike.

Great gift, or great for yourself!

Winslow Homer Watercolors

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 11/22/2009)
List Price: $35.00

Usually ships in 24 hours

Plein Air Painting Resources 2009

groups, workshops, classes, events, paint outs, competitions

Cechk out my Plein Air Painting Resource Lens, newly updated for 2009 and very comprehensive.

Plein Air Painting Resources: Plein Air Painting Resource Lens, newly updated for 2009 and very comprehensive, organizatons (national and international), groups, workshops, classes, paint outs, competitions, equipment,

Plein Air Painting Books

Now's the time to get ready for the plein air season. I've chosen a few good reads and a couple of DVD's to get you inspired.

Plein Air Painting in Watercolor & Oil

by: Frank Lalumia

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

On Location - Plein Air Painting In Pastel

by: Richard McDaniel

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 11/22/2009)

Plein Air Painting in Watercolor

by: Scott Burdick

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape - Cape Cod, Taos, Trinidad episodes

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape - Alaska Episodes

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Lens Overview

In this lens you'll find many different books and products that will help you achieve your artistic goals weather you're just getting started or have been creating art for a long time already.

I'll be adding to this lens in the weeks and months to come so please check back often.

Here's what you'll find available so far:

Books on Drawing and Sketching
Drawing and Sketching Supplies
The inspiring sketchbooks of other artists
Books on Color Theory
Books for beginning oil painters
Essentials and fun stuff for oil painters
Books for beginning watercolorists
Watercolor set and kits to help you get started
A quick poll question
Books about acrylic painting
Acrylic painting sets and kits
Recommended books on Pastels
Pastel pencils and pastel sets
Books on Colored Pencil techniques
Colored pencil sets
Books on oil pastels
Oil pastel sets
Books on portrait painting
Pet portraits

Coming soon...

Books for intermediate and advanced painters

Art history, artists biographies, instructional DVD's, and more.

Check back often as new products will be added frequently.

The Fundamentals: Drawing and Sketching

Let's start at the very beginning, learn the basic tools of art with these highly recommended books.

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

by: Betty Edwards

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: Guided Practice in the Five Basic Skills of Drawing

by: Betty Edwards

Amazon Price: $12.32 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study

by: Kimon Nicolaides

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 11/22/2009)

Keys to Drawing

by: Bert Dodson

Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/22/2009)

Drawing to See

by: Nathan Goldstein, Harriet Fishman

Amazon Price: $59.33 (as of 11/22/2009)

Drawing and Sketching Tools

A blank sketchbook is an invitation to take a creative journey. Good quality sketchbooks and pencils and markers are the essential tools of every artist.

Sketchbook Black cover 8 1/4 x 11"

by: Various

Amazon Price: $8.76 (as of 11/22/2009)

Da Vinci Sketchbook (Sketchbook Series)

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Moleskine Sketchbook Large

by: Moleskine

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

Faber-Castell Complete Drawing and Sketching Kit

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Sketchbook Kit: With Charcoal, Pencils, & Eraser

by: Angela Gair

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Need Some Help Getting Started with a Sketchbook?

These books actually take you through the process of creating a personal sketchbook. Fun and motivating!

Artists' Journals and Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages

by: Lynne Perrella

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Create Your Own Artists Journal

by: Erin O'Toole

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

The Artist’s Sketchbook (Quarto Book)

by: Lucy Watson

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor Journeys: Create Your Own Travel Sketchbook

by: Richard Schilling

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

How to Keep a Sketchbook Journal

by: Claudia Nice

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 11/22/2009)

Sketchbooks that are Sure to Inspire

There's nothing more intriguing than to get a look inside an artists sketchbook. Find your way into the artists creative process and watch as ideas and inspiration come to life on the pages of a sketchbook.

Everyday Matters

by: Danny Gregory

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Leonardo's Notebooks

by: Leonardo da Vinci

Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 11/22/2009)

London Sketchbook: A City Observed

by: Graham Byfield, Marcus Binney

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

View From a Sketchbook: Nature Through the Eyes of Marjolein Bastin

by: Marjolein Bastin, Tovah Martin

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

A Pacific Northwest Nature Sketchbook

by: Jude Siegel

Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

More Inspiring Sketchbooks

Clueless In Tokyo: Explorer's Sketchbook Of Weird And Wonderful Things In Japan

by: Betty Reynolds

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Paris Sketchbook

by: Graham Byfield, Mary Kelly

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Nest: An Artist's Sketchbook

by: Maryjo Koch

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

New York Sketchbook

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

A Cezanne Sketchbook: Figures, Portraits, Landscapes and Still Lifes (Dover Books on Fine Art)

by: Paul Cezanne

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Books on Color Theory

understanding and using color effectively

Color is the element of art that is most recognizable, most expressive and communicates the most emotion. It can also be the most difficult to get a handle on. Here are some books to help you unlock the secrets of color and make it work for you in your own paintings. These books skip the very technical snoozefest of more scholarly works and give you practical, easy to understand concepts you can put to work right away.

Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors

by: Betty Edwards

Amazon Price: $12.32 (as of 11/22/2009)

Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out of Color Theory

by: Stephen Quiller

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/22/2009)

Exploring Color: How to Use and Control Color in Your Painting

by: Nita Leland

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/22/2009)

Mastering Color

by: Vicki McMurry

Amazon Price: $19.13 (as of 11/22/2009)

Powercolor: Master Color Concepts for All Media

by: Caroline Jasper

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Painting Books for Beginners

If you're just starting out with oil paints you'll need information about paint, brushes, mediums, supports, canvas, and techiniques. These books will get you started.

Oil Painting for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

by: Steve Allrich

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists

by: Kathleen Staiger

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/22/2009)

You Can Paint Oils: A Step-by-Step Guide for Absolute Beginners

by: Linda Birch

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oils for the Beginner

by: Alwyn Crawshaw

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Painting Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons (Art workbook series)

by: Stan Smith

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Essentials and Fun Stuff for Oil Painters

Oil Painting Kit (Walter Foster Painting Kits)

by: William F. Powell, Mia Tavonatti, Keith Ward

Amazon Price: $21.33 (as of 11/22/2009)

Italian Floor Easel with Art Accessories

Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 11/22/2009)

T-shirt with paint, brush, rabbit, artist, jumping, easel

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Mega Artist Easel with 3 Canvases

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

SYNTH HAIR FLAT BRUSH

Amazon Price: $7.46 (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor Books for Beginners

Watercolor is the most popular medium among beginners. It's easy clean up with soap and water and use of paper as a support seems to be very appealing. However, mastering this beautiful medium with its glowing transparency is no easy task. Here are some good books to get you started.

Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

by: Mary Whyte

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner

by: Mark Willenbrink

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Fresh and Easy Watercolors for Beginners

by: Bonnie J. Frederico

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor: A Beginner's Guide

by: Elizabeth Horowitz

Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolour for Absolute Beginners

by: Bill Whitsett, Nancy Cadorette

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor Sets to Get You Started

When you're just beginning it's nice to get a set of materials rather than try and choose from the hundreds of colors, brushes and papers available.

Art File Watercolor Kit

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

The Watercolor Sketchbook Kit: Materials, Techniques, and Projects

by: Curtis Tappenden

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Complete Watercolor Set

by: David Norman

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

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Visit My Studio Everyday

new paintings, inspiration, art marketing tips, instruction and more

Starting out with Acrylics

Acrylic paints are the medium of the choice for many contemporary artists. They are the most versatile of all the different types of paint. You can use them like watercolor or like oils, there's a broad range of colors and additives that can modify the consistency of the paint. Paintings can be varnished and don't need to be framed under glass, but can be if they're on paper. Clean up is easy with soap and water. Lots of advantages, few drawbacks. Here are some great instruction books to get you started.

The Beginner's Guide Acrylics: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide to Techniques and Materials

by: Angela Gair

Amazon Price: $11.48 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Painting: Project Book for Beginners

by: Joan Hansen, William F Powell

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Acrylic Painter’s Book of Styles and Techniques

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Landscape Painting Techniques

by: Hugh Greer

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

The Acrylics Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

by: Barclay Sheaks

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/22/2009)

Ready to Paint with Acrylics?

Here are some acrylic painting kits to get you started!

Acrylic Painting Layer by Layer: Beached Kit (Acrylic Painting Layer-by-Layer)

by: Tom Swimm

Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Painting Layer by Layer: Sunflower Splendor Kit (Acrylic Painting Layer-by-Layer)

by: Mia Tavonatti

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Painting: A Complete Painting Kit for Beginners

by: Joan Hansen, William F. Powell

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Painting Layer by Layer: Tropical Delight Kit (Acrylic Painting Layer-by-Layer)

by: Mia Tavonatti

Amazon Price: $12.56 (as of 11/22/2009)

Acrylic Painting Layer by Layer: Coastal Sentinel Kit (Acrylic Painting Layer-by-Layer)

by: Tom Swimm

Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 11/22/2009)

Pastel Painting for Beginners

Imagine painting with hundreds of intensley pigmented pastels. Rich, smooth color gliding onto the paper. These books will tell you how.

Painting the Landscape in Pastel

by: Albert Handell, Anita West

Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Encyclopedia of Pastel Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques

by: Judy Martin

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

The Pastel Book

by: Bill Creevy

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 11/22/2009)

On Location - Plein Air Painting In Pastel

by: Richard McDaniel

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 11/22/2009)

Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

by: Larry Blovits

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/22/2009)

Great Products for Pastellists

SOFT PASTEL PENCIL SET/24

Amazon Price: $50.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

SQUARE PASTELS 12 ASSORTED

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Thomas Kinkade Soft Pastel Set by Mega Brands

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Pastels: Collins Painting Workshop

by: Jackie Simmonds

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Pastel Painting Techniques

by: Roddon Guy

Amazon Price: $20.51 (as of 11/22/2009)

More Portrait Painting Books

Painting Watercolor Portraits, A Simple Approach

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Portraits from Life in 29 Steps

by: John Sanden

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/22/2009)

How to Paint Skin Tones

by: James Horton, Hazel Harrison

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Portraits Step by Step

by: Wendon Blake

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

How to Draw and Paint Portraits (Famous Artists School : Step-By-Step Method)

by: Cortina Famous Schools Staff

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Recommended Books on Colored Pencil

Colored pencil is a beautiful medium and a nice bridge between drawing and painting, for those new to creating art.

Colored Pencil Solution Book

by: Janie Gildow, Barbara Newton

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/22/2009)

Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Artist

by: Bet Borgeson

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/22/2009)

Basic Colored Pencil Techniques (Basic Techniques)

by: Bet Borgeson

Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 11/22/2009)

The Complete Colored Pencil Book

by: Bernard Poulin

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

The Complete Guide to Coloured Pencil Techniques

by: Beverley Johnston

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Colored Pencil Sets

Below you'll find artist quality colored pencil sets that you're sure to love.

Faber-Castell 126-pc. Art Set with Wood Case

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Thomas Kinkade - Colored Pencil Set Version 1

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Learn How to Paint with Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are completely different from "soft pastels", they are, as the name suggests, made with oil, and are something like oil paint in stick form.

Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

by: John Elliot

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Pastel: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

by: Kenneth D. Leslie

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Pastels Workstation (Workstations)

by: Jane Hughes

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Learn to Paint Oil Pastels

by: Jacqueline Black

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting with Oil Pastels (How to Draw and Paint Series #152)

by: H. P. McLaughlin, Walter Foster

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Learn to Paint Portraits

Portrait painting is a wonderful pursuit whether you want to paint your family and friends or take on commissions for profit, these recommended books will get you started.

Painting Portraits

by: Everett Raymond Kinstler

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Portraits in Oil the Van Wyk Way

by: Helen Van Wyk

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting Beautiful Skin Tones with Color & Light

by: Chris Saper

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting and Drawing Children

by: John Norton

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting Expressive Pastel Portraits

by: Paul Leveille

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Pastel Sets for Beginners

WATER SOLUBLE OIL PASTELS 24 CT

Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 11/22/2009)

Oil Pastel Sticks 36-pk.

Amazon Price: $13.20 (as of 11/22/2009)

Learn to Paint Pet Portraits

Don't forget our furry friends! Painting pet portraits can be very rewarding, and a good source of commissions for the accomplished artist.

Realistic Pet Portraits in Colored Pencil

by: Anne Flood

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/22/2009)

Drawing Realistic Pets from Photographs

by: Lee Hammond

Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting Animals That Touch the Heart

by: Lesley Harrison

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting Your Favorite Animals in Pen, Ink and Watercolor

by: Claudia Nice

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 11/22/2009)

Painting Animal Friends

by: Jeanne Scott

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/22/2009)

"HOW TO" Art Books for Kids

Here are some fun books that teach kids the fundamentals of art.

Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be

by: Kathryn Temple

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

I Can Draw Animals (Usborne Playtime Series)

by: Ray Gibson

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/22/2009)

How to Draw 101 Animals

by: Dan Green

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 11/22/2009)

Draw 3-D (Learn to Draw)

by: Doug Dubosque

Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 11/22/2009)

Watercolor Landscape (DK Art School)

by: Ray Campbell Smith

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Art Books for Children

Introduce your children or grandchilddren to the wonderful world of art!

Katie's Sunday Afternoon

by: James Mayhew

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

Linnea in Monet's Garden

by: Cristina Bjork

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 11/22/2009)

Can You Find It, Too?: Search and Discover More Than 150 Details in 20 Works of Art

by: Judith Cressy

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/22/2009)

Museum ABC

by: The (NY) Metropolitan Museum of Art

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 11/22/2009)

Katie Meets The Impressionists

by: James Mayhew

Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2009)

More Great Art Books for Children

Pictures at an Exhibition (Charlesbridge)

by: Anna Harwell Celenza

Amazon Price: $16.46 (as of 11/22/2009)

Art Fraud Detective: Spot the Difference, Solve the Crime!

by: Anna Nilsen

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art With Children (Come Look With Me Series)

by: Gladys S. Blizzard

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/22/2009)

Art Auction Mystery

by: Anna Nilsen

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

Babar's Museum of Art

by: Laurent De Brunhoff

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/22/2009)

Give the Gift of Art to your Children

Art can be such a positive force in child's life. It helps them see beauty, express themselves, encourages thoughtfulness and they can have fun too!

by janblencowe

Hello world. I'm Jan Blencowe,as an artist I aspire to help people bring the beauty and serenity of nature into their homes and workspaces through my... (more)

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