I grew up in the suburbs of Long Island where my favorite past time was spent at book stores, libraries, or taking long car rides out east where the farms and vineyards are. These are the activities that give me inspiration. At book stores I would spend an obscene amount of time exploring the art technique, personal growth, poetry, astrology, and music. I loved sitting at the cafe reading a book or a magazine. Now that I am older I realize these outings are still a part of my life. I must say, I did spend a lot of time in the fiction section, but I can't justify buying fiction when I know I will only read it once, so I would read a book at the book store in one sitting, or a series of days, or just request the book at my local library. When you are a student on a very tight budget, these are the things you do.
Here are my recommendations on inspiration and art technique books.
I discovered The Artist's Way in high school. It's like a 12-Step Program to recovering your inner artist with fun practices that help discipline you instead of waiting for inspiration to happen. The core principles I still use to this day is artists dates and exploring new neighborhoods. I have been writing in a journal since I was 7 thanks to my mother's urging. Julia Cameron said that Morning Pages (journaling) are mandatory for your art. I am a night time or afternoon diarist, mornings are tough for me with a full time office job. I say, doing it at all on a daily basis is a win no matter what. I love this book. To be honest, I never finished the book. I always start it, and then get so inspired that I make a lot of art as if in a fever dream. Ha!
I bought many of Julia Cameron's books. Here are a couple of titles I have and recommend: The Right to Write, Vein of Gold, The Artist's Way Work Ed., A Year of Creative Living.
Betty Edwards' books are what every art teacher recommended to me. Before I switched my major to Creative Writing with a concentration in poetry, I was an Art History and Fine Art major. Women's Studies minor. I never wanted to leave college, so I often switched majors so that I would need additional classes to take. I have no regrets. It was the best time of my life.
Betty Edwards' books are a treasure! I highly recommend if you want to learn new ways of seeing art and improve your skills.
I am learning how to oil paint and this book is so aesthetically pleasing that I want to live inside it. Juliette Aristides has published many books. I suggest going to your local book store and flipping through them.
This book! Rob Pepper compiled an amazing amount of information. WOW! This book shares everything you need to know in order to be an artist, no matter what skill level you are at. He discusses traditional art forms like drawing and painting as well as contemporary art forms like digital art and animation. Mosaics, screenprint, fresco, linocut, and much more.I suggest looking at the book, this is a valuable resources.
Helen Birch books are so beautiful but also straight to the point, which I appreciate. Art is wonderful to daydream about, read about, etc., but this book simplifies and does not wax poetic about art. Great for someone that is wants to incorporate ideas into their art that doesn't seem intimidating.
Modern Watercolor Botanicals is a HUGE book! So many Step-by-Step Tutorials on how to use watercolors, gouache, and ink! What you learn can be applied to more than just botanicals. Sarah Simon is so detail oriented, she gets straight to the point. I appreciate that so much.
GORGEOUS BOOK! I love Bridget Davies book, Ink: DO MORE ART. I recommend it! Just check it out, this is a wonderful book that will inspire you to draw with ink long after Inktober is over.
Carne Griffiths book, The Organic Painter shares all the ways you can use natural materials in your art! This is amazing! You'll never look at your compost the same.
I bought The Artist Manual in college and I still love it. It tells you how to use every fine art medium. Reference guides are the books that keep on giving. As I explore different art mediums it is nice to refer to a book get answer a question I may have.
Thank you for reading my book article.
What are you favorite art books?
What is your favorite art medium?
What are medium do you love to use?
💜 Amber
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