The best drawing books can inspire you for your own drawing practice and help you learn new skills and techniques, whether you are a beginner or a professional. there are drawing books that offer comprehensive general advice and then there are step-by-step guides on how to tackle certain subjects or achieve certain effects. There are also collections of practice exercises and books that aim to provide inspiration and ideas.
There are so many titles that it can be hard to know where to start, but over the 10 years of creative bloq’s existence, our expert writers and contributors, many of them artists, have read a large collection, enough for us to compile a selection. definitive of the best drawing books available. we’ve included long-standing classics as well as newer titles, with options for different levels and with different approaches (see how we test and review to learn more about our process).
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Some of our picks for the best drawing books are very much how-to guides, offering an in-depth focus on specific techniques, with hands-on exercises to reinforce theory. some of these cover the necessary fundamentals and others focus on specific areas, such as portraits or gestures. meanwhile, other books in our selection cover inspiration and creative thinking.
If you’re looking for more books to add to your collection, check out our guide to the best illustration books. We also have a collection of how to draw tutorials and our best drawing tips. And if you’re thinking about getting into digital drawing, check out our guide to the best drawing tablets to find the best options.
the best drawing books available now
Sometimes the best drawing books are the ones that have been used by art students for decades. First published in 1941, The Natural Way of Drawing was developed by the students of Kimon Nicolaides based on his teaching at the Art Students League of New York. Nicolaides developed a system for teaching drawing that he designed to be followed by anyone.
Prescribed reading at some of the best art schools for many, many years, the focus is on mastering the key concepts of contour, gesture, weight, and structure, with 64 exercises designed to be followed over a year of practice. it is well illustrated with examples from the old masters as well as student work. the emphasis is on the natural gestures of living beings in motion: humans but also animals. The way it’s written may seem a bit dated and impractical today, but it’s still a classic, and the fervor of Nicolaides students is reflected today in the way the book is written.
If you’re just starting out, the best drawing book to start with is this classic primer by bert dodson. Having illustrated more than 70 children’s titles and worked as an animation designer for PBS, Dodson is an expert in the field of animation. he also knows how to explain the drawing process in simple language that anyone can follow.
in drawing keys, bert explains a complete drawing system made up of 55 ‘keys’ to draw any subject with confidence. Along the way, we learn how to release the action of the hands and then control it. we also discover how to restore, focus, map and intensify; convey the illusions of light, depth and texture; and stimulate the imagination through “creative play”. In addition, we have many exercises packed to practice, practice, practice.
A broad understanding of the fundamental concepts, conventions, and theories of art is essential to producing successful work, and this is one of the best drawing books on the market covering these topics. Compiled by some of the most experienced artists in the game and film industries today, it covers a variety of fundamentals including the rule of thirds, the rule of probability, the golden triangle, and divine proportions.
In this book, we learn all about color and light, perspective and depth, anatomy and the representation of emotions. The book also explores the power of storytelling in a picture and how the slightest tilt of an eyebrow can turn happiness into anger. the book was followed by another title, which you can read about in our review of fundamentals beyond art.
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drawing characters can be a difficult skill to master. But this beginner’s drawing book by children’s illustrator and character designer Beverly Johnson shows you how it’s done. there are chapters covering form language, facial expressions, body language, interactions, and more. The book explores character design from all angles and finds refreshing approaches, including an exploration of how settings communicate character. we also found that the exercises offered plenty of practice to help develop new skills.
While this book is great for beginners, even seasoned character designers can find plenty of great advice here. includes a series of challenges that demonstrate how the author solved the brief, allowing you to see the theory put into practice.
If you’re specifically interested in drawing fantasy creatures, this paperback will provide plenty of inspiration. features the work of 50 artists from across the field of creature design: everything from dragons and fairies to mechanical structures and aliens. each artist offers their personal commentary, tips and advice on drawing techniques and conceptual design processes.
The book shows you this work in all stages of development, primarily in black and white. That said, full color illustrations do appear from time to time, which is a welcome change of pace.
Please note that this isn’t a tutorial or how-to book like the other best drawing books on our list, and there’s no easy way to quickly find a particular theme or style (unless you’re familiar with drawing). each one of them). artist). it is more a source of inspiration, reference and ideas. however, the art becomes accessible and fascinating in its variety. we found the artistic vision to be a nice added bonus. See our full Imagination Sketches review for more details.
“Drawing from life isn’t just about learning how to accurately draw the body, it also teaches you how to translate our complex three-dimensional world…into the confines of a sheet of paper,” says artist eddie armer in his guide for beginners to drawing from life. and the book provides excellent insights into that in nearly 100 pages filled with step-by-step drawings and helpful discussions of the methods used, with information on tone, line, shadow, and position. That said, although it’s described as a beginner’s guide, there isn’t as much guidance as some complete beginners would like on how to achieve accurate anatomical proportions and shapes if you don’t already have some observation and drawing skills (draw the rest of the owl, anyone? ?). For more titles specifically geared towards figure drawing, check out our guide to the best figure drawing books.
If you’re struggling with the basics of drawing people, it’s a good idea to focus on getting the hands and heads right first. These can be the most difficult parts, and this drawing book by Andrew Loomis, one of the great commercial illustrators of the 20th century, breaks this down in detail.
The head and hands are the most difficult elements in figure drawing. but the author’s explanations are detailed and engaging, and his systematic approach will help you understand the principles behind drawing realistic portraits. so, despite its age, this is hands down (pun intended) the best anatomy reference book for beginners.
Want to improve your portrait skills? Here’s a great book to help you in which artist Miss Led (aka Joanna Henly) breaks down the process of drawing portraits into manageable, easy-to-understand stages. Aimed at beginning and experienced artists alike, this book provides a solid introduction to portrait drawing techniques, exploring topics such as facial expressions and structure.
The book is packed with tips and advice from experts and offers plenty of exercises for readers to put into practice. It doesn’t have a lot of text, and there could be more explanation, but the book covers everything you need, leaving room for Miss Led’s stunning art to shine. overall it works well and is accessible to artists of all levels.
Once you’ve learned how to draw still figures, you’ll want to bring your drawing to life by capturing gestures accurately and successfully. This book, based on a legendary series of lectures by Disney animator Walt Stanchfield, should help. shows how to add emotion, life, and action to his drawings, with a strong focus on gesture drawing.
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don’t expect a book full of finished drawings; it’s very much about teaching how to capture the moment. If you’re interested in learning how to create drawings with character and fluidity, this is a must-have reference.
Looking for sketch ideas to practice drawing? This encyclopedic guide features more than 1,000 projects. each is broken down into four key steps: sketching, line drawing, and two that build and complete the form. With lessons on creatures, people, buildings, famous landmarks, vehicles, and nature, you’re sure to find inspiration to start drawing.
We found that everything was very well categorized, which made it easy to find what we were looking for. There’s also an extensive introduction covering tools, line creation, light theory, perspective, and texture.
Technique is one thing, but to become a great artist, you also need to unleash your creativity. This revised edition of one of the most iconic drawing books in history will help you do just that. Author Betty Edwards offers many interesting concepts as she encourages you to explore the importance of creative thinking. she approaches learning how to draw by teaching you how to see differently, and explains everything from technique to materials.
This revised version includes new research on brain plasticity and the enormous value of learning new skills and using the right hemisphere of the brain. art teachers are likely to find this material very useful.
Marvel is the biggest name in comic art, and no list of the best art books would be complete without this superb primer from Stan Lee and John Buscema. In addition to figure drawing, it teaches vital lessons in composition, shot selection, perspective, character dynamics, and more. yes, there are newer and more in-depth books, but as huge comic book fans, we find this book’s lavish, full-color illustrations make learning to draw a real joy.
part of learning to draw is learning to be confident in your work. Here, Stephen Silver, the artist behind the character designs for shows like Kim Possible, offers guidance, encouragement, and inspiration to help you develop her character design. she will also find easy to follow tutorials and drawing techniques. Silver’s book is as informative as it is beautiful. For more inspiration, check out our own roundup of character design tips.
This book is packed with useful tips on how to draw human figures. Author Jack Hamm’s approach is simpler than Andrew Loomis’s book (number five on our list). It contains hundreds of illustrations and offers a clear step-by-step approach that can help even beginners draw better and more confidently. yes, some of the drawings can look a bit dated (particularly the hairstyles and clothes!), but we find that adds to the charm. it’s also testament to how this excellent foundation has stood the test of time.
caricature is a very specific art, but this book by christopher hart shows you the essential techniques you need to know to unleash your potential. Aimed at beginners, it takes us step-by-step through the process of creating cartoons and covers faces, bodies, backgrounds, and more. It’s a nice add-on to Hart’s YouTube channel (opens in a new tab) which regularly shares easy to follow step-by-step tutorials on cartoons.
The last book on our list of the best drawing books is not the least useful. If you want to learn how to draw for animation, this is a must-read classic. Written by two long-time Disney animators, The Illusion of Life tackles the theme from the start. This drawing book offers inspiring photos, paintings, sketches and storyboards. Although it’s not a tutorial book by any means, it offers plenty of tips and guidance on styles, effects, color selection, and more. it also formed the basis for the 12 principles of animation, which are still used today.
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