Yay!!!! I’ve reclaimed my time! It’s a precious commodity you know? And, after last week’s realizations about “over-helping” others and running into a lack of time to pursue my own goals, I’m stepping into the space of taking a big breath, relishing time in my studio and developing my new painting series of ‘Love Songs.’ When they’re ready for prime time, I’ll be sure to share some photos with you!
Given my new found space and potential, I have a bit of leisure time and am ready for a good read. Well, of course, it should be an art book….or something related to creativity. So, I thought maybe you could help me with some recommendations. I’ve started a list to share with you of some of my favourites. These include:
Improving the Workings Between Your Ears
The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
Steal Like an Artist – Austin Kleon
Show Your Work – Austin Kleon
Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking – David Bayles and Ted Orland
Improving the Workings in Your Studio
The Creative Edge – Mary Todd Beam
I’d Rather Be In the Studio – Alyson B. Stanfield
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain – Betty Edwards
Voyeurism of Other Artists
Inside the Painter’s Studio – Joe Fig
Art History
Art of the Twentieth Century – Flaminio Gualdoni
The San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism – Susan Landauer
Art – Everything You Need to Know About The Greatest Artists and Their Work – Susie Hodge
Modernists in Taos – David L. Witt
Okie, dokie, so….I’ve shown you mine, show me yours! Feel free to leave a bit about why it’s one of your favourites – or at least how you would categorize the book. Come on, I KNOW you artists are wonderful book collectors – please share!
Hopefully we’ll all find some good books to read.
[Tweet “A book is a dream that you hold in your hands. – Neil Gaiman”]
Michelle Andres is a writer and artist. She writes this blog to share tips for a well-lived 
life and finely run art business…just for you!
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34 Comments
October 9, 2015 at 3:04 pm
I’ve heard Steven Pressfield’s Do The Work is good, and also The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Life Coach for Creative Women by Gail McMeekin. I haven’t read either yet but they’re on my wish list. 🙂
October 9, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Thanks, Naomi! I’ll check them out!
October 9, 2015 at 3:38 pm
I’ve started reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and I’m finding it very helpful in going back to the basics and also helping me tutor a student of mine. I’ve also gone through about half of “The Bay Area School” and have recently looked back at “Expressive Drawing” which was recommended by Noel Sandino. Enjoy your “me” time.
October 9, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for the recommendations, Judy!
October 9, 2015 at 3:47 pm
I have to say The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp is one of the best books I’ve ever read on creativity and just getting in there and doing it.
Enjoy your reading time.
October 9, 2015 at 4:12 pm
I’ve seen it recommended, too, Claudia. Definitely on my list!
October 9, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Book Club Double-Dipping—there goes your leisure time!
October 9, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Hahaha – Beth!!!
October 10, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Make Art Make Money by Elizabeth Hyde Stevens – a book about Jim Henson and how making money allowed him to make his art.
October 10, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thanks for the recommendation, Kevin!!!
October 12, 2015 at 12:21 pm
A few books:
Color and light, a guide for the realist painter, by James Gurney.
Imaginative realism, by James Gurney.
How to survive & prosper as an artist, by Caroll Michels.
Portrait painting atelier, by Suzanne Brooker.
The big book of drawing and paintoing the figure, by Muntsa Calbo I Angrill.
Your artis’s brain, by Carl Purcell.
The drawing book, by Sarah Sinblet.
Anatomy for the artist, by Sarah Simblet.
Botany for the artist, by Sarah Simblet.
Have fun reading.
Laurens.
October 12, 2015 at 8:40 pm
What a great list, Laurens! You could keep me, and all the readers, busy for a long time…thank you!
October 12, 2015 at 8:32 pm
My top 3 art books at the moment are:
-Stephen King’s “On Writing” (first half is his memoir, 2nd half is amazing tools for managing your inner demons and your time, for creatives of any kind);
-Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit”; and
-Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way”.
These could all go in both Improving the Workings in Your Studio & Improving the Workings Between Your Ears, because they offer insights on both creating daily habits AND reflective exercises to tap into your creativity and get around artists’ block.
October 12, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Christine, Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit” has come up a couple times – it’s downloaded and ready to go. The others sound great as well. Thank you!
October 14, 2015 at 1:23 pm
“The Value of Art” by Michael Findlay, a director of Acquavella Galleries, shares current and historic information of how a work of art acquires value; the motivation of collectors and many insider stories of scoundrels, scams and celebrity collectors.
October 14, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Sounds fascinating, Debra! Thanks!
October 14, 2015 at 4:21 pm
I could list more but these are I think some essentials that all Artists should read
The practice and Science of Drawing – Harold Speed
Oil Painting Techniques and Materials- Harold Speed
The Art Spirit – Robert Henri
Alla Prima (I and II) – Richard Schmid
Composition of Outdoor Painting – Edgar Payne
Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting – John Carlson
Classical Drawing Atelier – Juliette Aristides
Oil Painting Secrets from a Master – Linda Cateura
Understanding Composition – Ian Roberts
Creative Illustration – Andrew Loomis (any of Andrew Loomis’s books are great)
Draw From Your Head – Doug Jamieson
These are just a few of many I could add.. These are the most dog-eared in my library.
October 14, 2015 at 7:42 pm
Wow, Fausto! That’s quite a list! I don’t work in oils – would those books still apply? Even if they don’t, I’m sure other readers can benefit from them. Thank you!
October 15, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Although some of the information in some of these books is focused directly at the oil painter, (Alla Prima for instance) the concepts would certainly still be applicable to any medium..
Another wonderful book that I intended to mention was Harley Brown’s book ” Eternal Truths for Every Artist” I’m not sure if it’s still in print anymore but it can be found in used books stores.. He paints primarily in Soft Pastel, but the principles conveyed are applicable to art and artists in general.
October 14, 2015 at 4:46 pm
artist’s biography :
”BLAKE” by Peter Ackroyd.
A well written biography which gave me more inside into the times and mr.Blake himself.
Art :
The Complete Illuminated Books
by William Blake, John Commander (Foreword by), David Bindman (Introduction)
A wonderful work, lavishly illustrated and with all the texts also in normal typescript to make it a easier reading.
After reading Peter Ackroyd’s book i took this one from the shelf again and it spoke even more to me than before.
October 14, 2015 at 7:43 pm
I love books that keep giving, Frans! Thank you for the recommendations!
October 14, 2015 at 6:38 pm
“Art Is Not What You Think It Is” by Donald Preziosi and Claire Farago
“What Good Are The Arts?” by John Carey
October 14, 2015 at 7:44 pm
I’ll check into those, Andrew. Intriguing titles. Thank you!
October 15, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Thanks for the recommendations Michelle! I will be purchasing some of them. I maintain a Pinterest board called “Reading Lists for Artists” for our business. I’ve got several suggestions on there such as “The Mission of Art”, “The Zen of Creativity”, “Letting go of the Camera”, and “Ignore Everybody & 39 Other Keys to Creativity”. https://www.pinterest.com/framedstnation/reading-list-for-artists/ My husband and I attend a monthly book club focused on business books. I think it would be neat to do something like that with art books. Of course, finding the time is another issue. 🙂
October 15, 2015 at 4:46 pm
art history :
”A World History of Art”
by Hugh Honour (Author), John Fleming (Author)
Not always easy to read (like Gombrich’s works are very readable) ,but worthwhile.
Another art history book -very readable- is
Julian Bell :
‘Mirror of the World’.
October 15, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Thanks!
October 15, 2015 at 8:29 pm
Just read these in our book club and enjoyed them all. I love this discussion because we are always searching for new and old good books to read or re-read.
Hold Still: Sally Mann
Between Lives Dorothea Tanning
A life Sacred and Profane: Carravagio
Quick and good Reads
The Painted Word Tom Wolfe
An Open Life Joseph Campbell
October 15, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Thank you for the recommendations, Jamieson!
October 19, 2015 at 12:59 am
Here’s one that is very beneficial to any artist selling their works. I read it cover to cover in no time.
“Your Art Is Your Business – A guide for the working artist” by Robert Roy Reed, PH.D., CFP
It’s all about the business end of of things.
October 19, 2015 at 2:10 am
Thanks for the recommendation, Jaime! If you’re an artist without business skills, you’ll probably be your own best collector! LOL!
February 17, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Edvard Munch: Behind the Scream
by Sue Prideaux :
i thought it a well written biography which pulls you into Munch’s life.
February 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm
Thanks Fran! Wow, you find a lot of time for reading. I’ll have to work on that so I can work in some of these recommendations! Thanks!
April 17, 2016 at 4:48 pm
”The Holy Bible: Places and Stories from the Old and New Testament”
by Gianni Guadalupi (Text)
http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Timeless-Treasures-Gianni-Guadalupi/dp/8854401919
This is one i take often off the shelf, just again at Easter, as the photo’s and reproductions of artworks are beautiful.
In the whole for me very inspiring.
April 17, 2016 at 5:04 pm
Thank you, Frans. I believe this is very timely. 🙂