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Inspiring,
Introspective Books for Artists
A Life in the
Arts by Eric Maisel
Thoughtful book with guidance and inspiration for creative and
performing artists. I love the quotes by various artists on each
page.
The Artist's
Way by Julia Cameron
Helpful program for artists trying to get back into production.
No more excuses why you shouldn't be painting after this book.
More great quotes, too.
The Art Spirit by Robert Henri
Timeless classic to read at age 20, 30, 40 and on. One of the
most highly quotable art teachers of all.
Picasso on Art
- A Selection of Views
edited by Dore Ashton
Whatever people think of the man, he did know something about
art and the motivations of artists. Acquaintances remember his
brash and sometimes illuminating statements.
Nothing if Not
Critical by Robert Hughes
An art critic looks at historic artists in his interesting, sometimes
witty essays. Past reviews of famous exhibitions.
The Bible
Imagery, poetry, foundational life lessons, fount of subject
matter, inspiration, spiritual cultivation. (An edition with
notes is really helpful.) For an example of how I draw
upon the Bible for inspiration and art ideas, see "A
Broken Heart and an Image to Paint."
Foundational
Books
There are many classic
books concerned with the training and honing of visual art skills.
Three of my favorites:
Conversations
in Paint by Charles Dunn
Pretty much everything you need to know about painting fundamentals
and then some. Watercolor is emphasized but the basic principles
are universal.
Encyclopedia
of Oil Painting Techniques -
A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques
by Jeremy Galton
The long title says it. Plus many pictorial examples of the themes
of painters, painted in a variety of approaches and interpretations.
Visually inspiring and informative on many levels. Good specific
information without seeming like a "how to" book.
Drawing in Pen
and Ink by Arthur Guptill
Another classic reference book with many ink drawings by the
author and famous artists
Drawing the Head
and Figure by Jack Hamm
Get past the outdated hairstyles and vintage cartoon looks to
find a wealth of information on figure drawing that the more
classic anatomy books just don't deliver. Wonderful supplement
for students of realism.
Art for Dummies by Thomas Hoving
The former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
shares his vast knowledge in one amazingly concise and entertaining
book for all present and future art lovers.
Books on Some
Favorite Artists:
The Group of
Seven, Art for a Nation by Charles C. Hill on the most celebrated of Canadian Painters
Paul Harris Drawings
1998, Wrongtree Press, Bolinas,
California
Unknown Terrain
- The Landscapes of Andrew Wyeth
How one artist managed to bridge the gap between abstraction
and realism without missing a beat
Alice Schille by William H. Gerdts
This artist painted fearlessly and with an amazing ability to
capture life: from crowds of people in their environments to
intimate scenes of a small family in their home. Nature, landscape,
cityscape: all captured with her swift brush and quick observation.
Howard Pyle by Bantam Books, 1975
Human drama and dynamic composition at its best
That's the Way
I See It - By David Hockney
An autobiographical glimpse into the life of a wildly prolific
contemporary artist, who has has produced work in painting, photography,
stage design and printmaking. He believes art can overcome despair.
Encounters with
Great Painters by Harry
Abrams, Publisher. Taken from the annals of Paris Match magazine.
Wonderful photographs of famous painters (Braque, Chagall, Matisse,
Miro, Picasso) in their working environments with some interesting
text.
There are
so many books on favorite artists. Here are a few of the artists
I have found inspiring:
Paul Klee
Raoul Dufy, Wolf Kahn, Georgia O'Keefe
Victor Higgins, Ernest Blumenshein
Mary Cassatt, Gustav Klimt
Kandinsky, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin
Andre Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck
Botticelli, Michelangelo
Vincent Van Gogh
Cezanne, Bonnard
John Singer Sargent, James M. Whistler
Matisse, Chagall
Joellyn Duesberry, Sam Francis
Charles Sovek
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