A list of books and resources that I have found instrumental to my drawing and painting. I have listed these alphabetically by title in each category. Favorites are noted with an asterisk. 

Drawing- Seeing and Technique

  • Drawing Lessons From the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
  • The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed*

Miscellaneous

  • The Art Spirit by Robert Henri *

Painting Technique

  • Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid 
  • Carlsons’ Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson *
  • Creating Impressionist Landscapes in Oil by Colley Whisson
  • Hawthorne On Painting by Mrs. Charles W. Hawthorne *
  • Hensche on Painting by John W. Robivchaux *
  • Oil Painting Secrets from a Master (David Leffel) by Linda Cateura *
  • Outdoor Portrait & Figure Painting by Cedric Egeli *
  • Painting the Impressionist Landscape by Lois Griffel

Portrait and Figure

  • Anatomy Lessons From the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
  • Art Students’ Anatomy by Edmond J. Farris
  • The Book of a Hundred Hands by George B. Bridgeman *
  • Drawing the Head and Hands by Andrew Loomis
  • Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth by Andrew Loomis
  • The Human Figure by John H. Vanderpoel *
  • The Human Machine by George B. Bridgeman *
  • Painting Portraits by Everett Raymond Kinstler
  • Other resources: For the sake of learning to create portraits that exhibit rich depth and understanding, I encourage my students to study and draw a replica of a life-size skull from various angles. Also helpful is to obtain John Asaro’s Planes of the Head sculpture (or similar if not available).  

Watercolor

  • How to Make a Painting by Irving Shapiro *
  • Making Color Sing by Jeanne Dobie *

JOIN MY EMAIL LIST

Receive blog and book updates, art tips, notifications of new art, and periodic promotions. Know that I respect your privacy (I hate spam, too) and will never share your contact information.

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.