Instructional and Reference Art Books

Submitted by Parka on

Some lists located elsewhere: Figure Drawing & Anatomy

Basics and Beginner

  • The Drawing Breakthrough Book (2011)
  • Sketching: The Basics (2011)
  • Light for Visual Artists: Understanding & Using Light in Art & Design (2011)
  • Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (2010)
  • Pen & Ink Techniques (2009)
  • Drawing Shortcuts: Developing Quick Drawing Skills Using Today's Technology (2009)
  • Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist (2009)
  • Keys to Drawing with Imagination (2006)
  • Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces (2003)
  • Pen and Pencil Drawing Techniques (2002)
  • The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (1999)
  • Rendering in Pen and Ink (1997)
  • Keys to Drawing (1990)

Composition

  • Composing Pictures (2010)
  • Layout and Composition for Animation (2010)
  • Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers (2010)
  • Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting (2007)

Perspective

  • Perspective Made Easy (2008)
  • Vanishing Point: Perspective for Comics from the Ground Up (2007)
  • The Complete Guide to Perspective (2005)

Animation and 3D

  • d'artiste Matte Painting (2005)
  • The Digital Matte Painting Handbook (2011)
  • Cracking Animation: The Aardman Book of 3-D Animation (2010)
  • ZBrush Digital Sculpting Human Anatomy (2010)
  • d'artiste Character Modeling 3 (2009)
  • The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects (2009)
  • Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation (2009)
  • Ideas for the Animated Short (2008)
  • Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding techniques for Live Action and Animation (2008)
  • The Alchemy of Animation (2008)
  • Pure Animation: Steps to Creation With 57 Cutting-edge Animators (2007)

Character Design

  • Colossal Collection of Action Poses (2011)
  • Animal Character Design: Grizzly Bears (2011)
  • Alive Character Design: For Games, Animation and Film (2011)
  • The Explorer's Guide to Drawing Fantasy Creatures (2011)
  • Creative Character Design (2011)
  • My Daily Zoo (2011)
  • d'artiste: Character Design (2011)
  • Angelic Visions: Create Fantasy Art Angels With Watercolor, Ink and Colored Pencil (2011)
  • Fantasy Genesis: A Creativity Game for Fantasy Artists (2010)
  • Fantasy Art Expedition: Draw and Paint Fantastic Creatures and Characters (2010)
  • Goblinoids (2009)
  • Facial Expressions Babies to Teens: A Visual Reference for Artists (2008)
  • 100 Ways to Create Fantasy Figures (2008)
  • d'artiste Character Modeling 2 (2008)
  • Mechanika (2008)
  • The Art of Animal Character Design (2007)
  • John Howe Fantasy Art Workshop (2007)
  • 50 Fantasy Vehicles to Draw & Paint (2007)
  • Exploring Character Design (2005)
  • The Weatherly Guide to Drawing Animals (2004)

Digital Painting

  • d'artiste Fashion Design (2011)
  • ImagineFX Manga: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Digital Painting Techniques (2011)
  • ImagineFX Fantasy Creatures: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Digital Painting Techniques (2011)
  • Digital Painting Techniques Volume 2 (2010, preview)
  • Complete Digital Painting Techniques (2010)
  • Steampainting: Spark (2010)
  • Digital Painting Techniques: Practical Techniques of Digital Art Masters (2009)
  • Fantasy Workshop: Mastering Digital Painting Techniques (2009)
  • Bold Visions: The Digital Painting Bible (2008)
  • d'artiste Digital Painting (2004)

Comic Drawing and Cartooning

  • How to Draw Manga: Sketching Manga-Style: Volume 1 Sketching to Plan (2010)
  • How to Draw Manga: Sketching Manga-Style: Volume 2 Logical Proportions (2010)
  • How to Draw Manga: Sketching Manga-Style: Volume 3 Unforgettable Characters (2010)
  • How to Draw Manga: Sketching Manga-Style: Volume 4 All About Perspective (2010)
  • Bryan Hitch's Ultimate Comics Studio (2010)
  • Stan Lee's How to Draw Comics (2010)
  • The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics (2009)
  • The Insider's Guide To Creating Comics And Graphic Novels (2009)
  • Hi-Fi Color For Comics: Digital Techniques for Professional Results (2008)
  • Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond (2008)
  • Comickers Art (2008)
  • Comickers Art 2 (2008)
  • Comics and Sequential Art (2008)
  • Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative (2008)
  • Expressive Anatomy for Comics and Narrative (2008)
  • Wizard How to Draw: Getting Started (2007)
  • Draw Manga: Step-By-Step on Your Computer (2007)
  • Wizard How to Draw: Advanced Techniques (2006)
  • Wizard How To Draw: Storytelling (2006)
  • Japanese Comickers 2 (2006)
  • Fantasy Cartooning (2005)
  • The Art of Comic Book Inking (2005)
  • Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art (1994)

Background Art

  • Setting the Scene: The Art & Evolution of Animation Layout (2011)
  • Impeccable Scene Design: For Game, Animation and Film (2011)

Sci-fi and Fantasy Art

  • Extreme Worlds (2009)
  • Sci-Fi Art: A Graphic History (2009)
  • Space Art: How to Draw and Paint Planets, Moons, and Landscapes of Alien Worlds (2007)
  • Drawing and Painting Fantasy Landscapes and Cityscapes (2006)
  • Drawing & Painting Fantasy Worlds (2006)

Compilation of Artists, Techniques and Workflow

  • Masters of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art (2011)
  • Digital Art Masters: Volume 6 (2011)
  • Digital Art Masters: Volume 5 (2010)
  • Digital Art Masters Volume 4 (2009)
  • Digital Art Masters Volume 3 (2008)
  • Digital Art Masters Volume 2 (2007)

Watercolour instructional (Watercolour art books are here)

  • Adventurous Watercolours (2011)
  • Painting Portraits and Figures in Watercolor (2011)
  • The Essence of Watercolour (2011)
  • The Complete Watercolorist's Essential Notebook (2010)
  • Painting with Impact (2010)
  • 600 Watercolor Mixes: Washes, Color Recipes and Techniques (2010)
  • Watercolor Tricks & Techniques: 75 New and Classic Painting Secrets (2010)
  • Pouring Light: Layering Transparent Watercolor (2009)
  • Watercolor Secrets: An Inside Look at the Techniques of Award-Winning Splash Artists (2009)
  • Down by the Sea with Brush and Pen: Draw and Paint Beautiful Coastal Scenes (2009)
  • Light and Mood in Watercolour (2008)
  • The Complete Watercolour Course: A Comprehensive, Easy-to-follow Guide to Watercolour (2008)
  • Watercolour for the Absolute Beginner (2007)
  • Color Mixing Recipes For Watercolor (2007)
  • Watercolor Artist's Guide to Exceptional Color (2007)
  • Ian King's Watercolour Landscape Techniques (2005)
  • Watercolour Challenge: Techniques in Practice (2003)
  • Watercolor Journeys: Create Your Own Travel Sketchbook (2003)
  • The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully (2000)

Miscellanous

  • One Drawing A Day: A 6-Week Course Exploring Creativity with Illustration and Mixed Media
  • Botany for the Artist: An Inspirational Guide to Drawing Plants (2010)
  • Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera (2009)
  • Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the Artist Within (2009)
  • Drawing & Painting Buildings (2005)

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  • instructional art book reviews