Joe Kazimierczyk, Landscape Painter

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life

by: Twyla Tharp

This is the most inspirational book for artists that I've ever read. Tharp is a choreographer, but all of the issues about creativity that she talks about easily applies to any creative discipline. As a painter myself, I love this book.

Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 11/21/2009)

The Art Spirit

by: Robert Henri

Robert Heni was a renowned art instructor and artist. This book is comprised of snippets from his talks, writings and lectures. I found some of it to be long-winded, and some just not very interesting, but it does contain my pure gems of wisdom that make it worth a read. It's the sort of book you can go back to every now and then, pick a random page, and remind yourself of something that you wish you had not forgotten. Reading it that way is much better than reading it cover to cover.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/21/2009)

Hawthorne on Painting

Similar to Henri's "The Art Spirit", this book is made up of snippets of Hawthorne's writings and lectures. It's also better to read random pages than reading it cover to cover.

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 11/21/2009)

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist, 5th ed.: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul

by: Caroll Michels

A lot of solid advice to for the business side of being an artist.

Amazon Price: $16.20 (as of 11/21/2009)

Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting

by: Richard Schmid

Simply the best book on painting instruction I've ever read, by one of the best painters alive today. Richard Schmid really does explain nearly every aspect of oil painting in this book, with astounding insight from his years of experience.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)

Richard Schmid Paints Landscapes: Creative Techniques in Oil

by: Richard Schmid

If you already have "Alla Prima", and you're a big fan of Schmid, and if you don't mind paying top dollar for an out of print book, this would make a nice addition to your collection.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)

Landscape Painting Inside and Out: Capture the Vitality of Outdoor Painting in Your Studio With Oils

by: Kevin D. MacPherson

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)

Oil Painting Pure and Simple

by: Ron Ranson, Trevor Chamberlain

A small, out of print book, by a great British artist. It's a great introduction to plein air painting and I find myself going back to this book for inspiration many times in the decade that I've owned it.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)

Oil Painting - The Workshop Experience

by: Ted Goerschner

This book covers the demos and painting critiques during one of the author's painting workshops. His approach to color theory and painting in general is well explained and illustrated. Both beginners and experienced painters can get something out of this.

Amazon Price: $15.63 (as of 11/21/2009)