My Favorite Art Books

Reading Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way, and I must say, it's quite text-heavy. If you're expecting lots of beautiful pictures, you might be disappointed. However, if you're seeking a book that genuinely aids in unlocking creativity and making it a regular part of your life, then this book is absolutely amazing.

It's essentially like an eight-week course (or possibly twelve weeks) that has proven to be incredibly helpful for me. Right now, I'm in the phase where I'm doing the "morning pages" exercise. This involves writing three pages of whatever comes to mind each morning – a sort of stream-of-consciousness journaling. I've found this practice to be remarkably beneficial. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their creativity and establish a consistent creative routine.

In my opinion, this book is suitable for everyone, regardless of whether you're a writer, painter, poet, animator, or any other type of artist. It provides practical tools and guidance for personal growth and creative development. If you're seeking to make creativity a habit in your life, this book could be exactly what you're looking for.

This book seems to be primarily aimed at beginners, and I'll admit that upfront. However, if you're seeking a month-long series of guided prompts or something quick and easy to work through, I'd definitely suggest considering this book.

It comes across as quite straightforward, offering daily prompts for a whole month. Even if you're an intermediate or advanced artist, there are still actionable tips within these pages. But if you're specifically looking for guided prompts and more of a hand-holding approach for an art challenge, this book could be a great fit.

What's neat is that the book provides very clear and actionable exercises, alongside useful tips. It's worth noting that this book was created by Mini Small, who is an accomplished artist herself. Her artwork is wonderfully cute, fun, and aesthetically pleasing. I'd highly recommend this resource, especially for artists who fall within the beginner to intermediate range.

Ian Roberts focuses extensively on still life and landscape paintings in this book, with some coverage of figurative art as well. He thoroughly explores topics like the arrangement of elements within the picture, the strategic distribution of value masses, color harmony, and more. These discussions are in-depth and offer insights that can greatly enhance your artistic understanding.

The book is brimming with practical exercises that provide hands-on experience and help solidify your comprehension of the concepts. If you're seeking a resource that guides you through the intricacies of picture planning, grouping, and the various elements of composition, this book is an excellent choice. It's an invaluable asset for artists looking to elevate their work through a comprehensive understanding of composition principles.

I must say, this book is an absolute treasure trove of insights. It takes you on a journey through various successful color palettes, offering guidance on how to approach value in your artwork. This understanding of value can be instrumental in reinforcing specific narrative elements or themes within your creations.

Within these pages, Lois delves into the journey of discovering her artistic voice and the process she undertook to arrive at her signature style. The wisdom she imparts through this book is immensely valuable for artists of all kinds. If you happen to be a digital artist, this resource holds even more relevance for you, as Lois is primarily renowned for her digital art.

In essence, this book is a visual and intellectual treat. It offers a glimpse into the inner workings of an artist's mind and the path she took to cultivate her individual artistic voice. The book's content resonates deeply with every artist, and its significance is truly exquisite.

If you've ever found yourself grappling with the complexities of color and light, let me introduce you to Color and Light by James Gurney. This book serves as an invaluable guide tailored for realist painters, designed to demystify these intricate aspects of art.

If you've ever felt unsure about how to illuminate certain scenes or if you're eager to translate your imaginative visions into art but find the interplay of color and light perplexing, this book is a goldmine of insights. James Gurney, the mastermind behind Donatopia, offers a wealth of knowledge within these pages.

Within its pages, the book delves deep into the realms of color, light, and the science behind these aspects. The discussions around color's intricacies, chroma, saturation, and value are handled in a unique manner that I haven't come across before. Personally, delving into the first few chapters and thoroughly studying the material on color and value has clicked for me in a way that it hadn't previously. The insights gained from this book have translated into some of the most exceptional paintings I've created, ones I'm incredibly proud of.

This book is an absolute gem. It's most suited for intermediate to advanced artists who are seeking a more nuanced understanding of color. Color is a lifelong study, and there's no shame in that. However, this book aids in unraveling the complexities and nuances, providing you with a comprehensive foundation. The content here is truly enlightening and invaluable, and if you're ready to delve deep into the intricate world of color, this book is an exceptional resource.

Let me tell you, this book is an absolute treasure trove of information. It delves into color with an incredible level of detail, offering insights that are truly invaluable.

What sets this book apart is its comprehensive coverage of historical color palettes. It's a fascinating journey through the changing color palettes that have been used throughout history. Moreover, the book explores the evolution of color and pigments over time. If you're intrigued by the historical aspect of color in art, you're in for a treat.

One of the standout features of this book is its exploration of how pigments interact with one another. This is a goldmine for artists who want to gain a deep understanding of color mixing without necessarily having to perform all the mixing exercises themselves. The book goes beyond theory and provides practical insights into how pigments behave when combined.

If you're an oil painter who's already acquainted with the art of oil painting or looking to plunge into its depths, this book is a true gem. Though Richard Schmid sadly passed away a few years back, his legacy lives on through this exceptional resource.

Richard Schmid was an acclaimed realist painter who embodied a remarkable blend of deliberate brushwork and a realistic touch. His work conveyed both the essence of realism and a liberating looseness, creating an intriguing duality. With a masterful hand, he encapsulated these seemingly contradictory elements in his pieces.