Painting Books I Love and Recommend

My studio is filled with painting books.  That doesn't make me unique.  Not in the least.  Check out any active artist.  No matter what their specific artistic interest is, you will find a bevy of books on that topic.  That is just the way it is.

And why not?  After all, the pursuit of art never ends.  And what better way to explore and discover?  New art.  New artists.  New techniques.  It doesn't matter.  Books are a mainstay.


So are all painting books created equally?  Not a chance.  Some resonate with an artist more than others. 

But is that to say that some are simply not good?  Not at all.  It simply means that some align better to the interests and developmental stage that a particular artist is at.

So as I was saying, I have a lot of books.  Not all of them are great.  But many are.  And I want to share those with you.

This page is about two things.

  1. It is about books that I own and love and recommend.
  2. It provides you, my fellow artists, an opportunity to share painting books you recommend to us.

One last thing... Where possible, I will provide you with a link to Amazon for the books I recommend.  I want you to know that if you use the link, I will collect a small commission for those sales.  It will not cost you a penny more for the book.  But it will help me feed my cats.  Thanks for that.  If this bothers you, please do not use the link I provide to find the book on Amazon. There are other ways to find them.  Just sayin'.    

Painting Books Recommended By Me and Why

Here are a few titles that I love and recommend.  I will add more regularly. 


 Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series)
by Carla Sonheim

Colored Pencil Painting Bible by Alyona Nickelsen  Techniques for Achieving Luminous Color and Ultrarealistic Effects

This is another masterfully put together book for colored pencil techniques that will knock your socks off.

 

The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer

"Inspirational palettes for designing home interiors."  I use this book all the time.  Not so much for interior design but definitely when I need help choosing color schemes for new painting project designs.

If I'm not sure how to pull all the right colors together or something is just not hanging right, I pull out this book in a flash.  You will refer to it over and over again!

I even use it when it's time to mat and frame a painting.

It's hardcover with a spiral bound spine so the pages lay flat when you're using it.  It has 255 pages of great color combinations for everyone's tastes.

   

Painting Garden Birds with Sherry Nelson by Sherry C. Nelson

I love Sherry!  All of her books are equally fabulous.  I chose this one for you because it's one of the best books on bird painting I have come across.  Her instructions are almost spoon-fed to you.  Love her teaching style.  If you want to paint birds successfully get this book!!


Painting Roses with Deanne Fortnam by Deanne Fortnam

This amazing naturalist photographer, artist and designer makes painting roses easy.  Seriously.  She breaks everything down into manageable chunks and before you know it, you've painted what many consider to be the most difficult flower to paint.  Not with Deanne by your side!


The Art of Faux by Pierre Finkelstein

It's all about creating "fake" finishes and cool backgrounds.  The book is for a very advanced painter or someone who is fearless and curious wanting to try their hand at anything new. (That would be me!)

I had heaps of fun, some major small scale disasters and some surprising great results. 


Painting Books Recommended By Our Visitors and Fellow Artists

Wouldn't you know it?  I don't know everything!   That's why I love being here with you. 

And here's where you can tell us about Painting Books you have and recommend.  Don't forget to tell what level of painter you are and how this book helped you.


Do You Have A Painting Book That You Would Recommend?

Here is an opportunity to share what you know with your fellow artists. In this case, what Painting Books do you recommend?

If you have found something very special, that you have found very helpful, please share it with us.

All I ask is that you tell us what level of painter you are. Beginner? Intermediate? Advanced? Super Nija? Then tell us how this book helped you.

That's it. That's all. Simple.

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What Other Artiists Have Said

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Patterns from Coloring Books 
I just discovered (literally 20 minutes ago) that Adult Coloring books make great stencils for glass painting. I can use graphite paper and a stylus to …

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