The 5 Best Art Books for Beginners

[elementor-template id="16428"]

There’s nothing scarier yet thrilling at the same time than venturing into a new passion that we know nothing about, and art is no different. Being a beginner entering the world of art might feel overwhelming, with so many techniques, styles, and materials to explore.

But don’t worry, everything you might want or need to learn in the early stages of your art journey can be found in a book. They provide structure, inspiration, and expert advice as well as cover several fundamentals and techniques.

In this article, we will look at the best art books for beginners. We’ll learn all about the books that are perfect for helping you build a strong foundation and spark your love for art. In this guide you’ll find a curated list of the best art books for beginners, so whether you’re interested in drawing, painting, or learning the basics, these books will help you through your learning journey and will keep you inspired and motivated while you learn. Let’s get started!

How to Choose the Best Art Books

Author Expertise

A book by a well-known expert comes with a tacit guarantee that you’ll learn from someone who truly understands art and has achieved success, plus experienced authors know their stuff, they don’t only provide accurate information, but they have teaching experience. They know how to break down complex ideas into simple, easy-to-understand steps.

Experienced artists also share their personal stories and insights, which can be incredibly useful and their passion for art can motivate beginners to keep practicing and exploring their creativity.

Practical Examples

Practical examples are a key feature to look for in an art book for beginners, they provide step-by-step instructions that you can follow, making it easier to apply what you’ve learned, understand new techniques better and see real progress.

When you complete practical examples, you see your skills improve, this not only boosts your confidence but also motivates you to keep practicing and learning. As you work through examples, you can see what works and what doesn’t, what suits your style and comfort and what is not for you, this immediate feedback helps you learn from mistakes and improve more quickly.

And finally, practical examples give you an enormous benefit as a beginner, since Instead of wondering what to draw or paint next, you have clear projects to work on, making your practice time more effective and productive.

Topics Covered

The topics covered in an art book are super important, especially for beginners since starting with the right topics helps you build a strong foundation in the basics first, like drawing shapes, understanding light and shadow, and color mixing if you want to go for painting. A book that covers various topics will let you explore various aspects of art. You can try drawing, painting, and even different styles and mediums and discover what feels most natural to you quicker.

You’ll also benefit from learning about composition, perspective, or color theory which you can apply to your work and see results immediately. This practice can inspire your creativity and motivate you to try new things and think outside the box.

Price

As a beginner, you might not want to spend a lot of money right away, so finding an affordable art book that brings you valuable learning material while sticking to your budget might seem like a bit of a challenge. It’s important to find a book that offers great content at a reasonable price, that way you can afford to buy more than one. If you’re also taking classes or using online tutorials, starting with a less expensive book means less pressure. If you don’t end up liking the book or if it doesn’t suit your learning style, you won’t feel like you’ve wasted a lot of money. You can always try another one.

Sometimes, the best books aren’t the most expensive ones. There are plenty of fantastic, affordable art books out there written by experienced artists who offer great insights and techniques, and if you want, you can always go for second-hand books which are much more affordable than new ones.

Best Art Books for Beginners

Best Art Book for Beginners Overall — You Can Draw in 30 Days
Best Beginner Art Book for Painters — Artist’s Painting Techniques
Best Watercolor Book for Beginners — Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner
Best Drawing Book for Beginners — Drawing for the Absolute Beginner
Best Art Book for Art Students and Beginners — Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

#1. Best Art Book for Beginners Overall — You Can Draw in 30 Days

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Draw-30-Days/dp/0738212415?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tx9yp2l4fbAljSumNKeC4fjwnqSzyfc4aXo5_MNmVvffwmJe5Qi6ToeEytLDsx3IBiYp88efwxExJzv1xfgKY6EIBLoqlqYsSTGUiz9bg8KA-RNIuhy9F725HyJIpy7wV-PrLh73KRh5D19AD_4BeJ1SWpy3Oqh3oU5O9shVZaQc5W90bc_0q7RYuiYscOkjTpp6AITbuC99zlvk7xWjiSZqntLUlMCWAHZirJmQWRE.YPxmkDMzziwp-VBbZ-A_AWoT3L2UZigOHewUf8TJ2u4&dib_tag=se&keywords=You+Can+Draw+in+30+Days&qid=1716064081&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=artchive-20&linkId=3af3220e64d8d942e83de58191f26b43&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Price![/su_button]

Selection Criteria

Author and Publication Date: Mark Kistler, January 4, 2011.
- Our Score – 8/10
Topics Covered: Basic drawing techniques with step-by-step instructions for drawing objects and forms in 3D.
- Our Score – 8/10
Price: $11.39
- Our Score – 8/10

About “You Can Draw in 30 Days” by Mark Kistler

You Can Draw in 30 Days is a fantastic choice for beginners who are just starting to draw or who want to learn how to draw but don’t know how or where to start. The book is designed for beginners, structured in a way that each lesson is broken down into simple, step-by-step instructions, making it accessible for anyone, even if you’ve never picked up a pencil before.

One of the best features of this book is that each lesson comes with hands-on activities that let you practice what you’ve just learned. These exercises reinforce the concepts and help you see real improvement quickly.

The book covers essential drawing techniques, such as shading, perspective, and proportion. By the end of the 30 days, you’ll have a basic understanding of these fundamental skills, and a solid foundation if you apply what you’ve learned and practice.

Pros

Quick learning curve
Step-by-step lessons

Cons

Simpletechniques
Limited artistic styles

2. Best Beginner Art Book for Painters — Artist’s Painting Techniques

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Painting-Techniques-Watercolors-Acrylics/dp/0744088488?crid=1CY528FJ6YD82&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZNNGIzBBKaRI04Hv9ONTAqVsTdKSdpWkD0H-wvElYhbhbjPpG-XC56MVmV2unWJJU8HDHjplcHY_Cg8B1EozfZ6–ObdzrwiL92COAZ5LUEnA0AdciNaISYtYHE_VJT-bNDBH7xudVZZcGQl3eTajuznk9yLHmfzpiBn8Ji0X58uW2MTVP0Co2FTsSxdomui6GvPx2HpnNpjQ7ILmzgU80eynJQf8ggGJoX01nFLu2s.XZuAPDKkG2tScSvhZBIXTEx4UMPqS7eCD0nM7SSUwEs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Artist%27s+Painting+Techniques&qid=1716064101&sprefix=artist%27s+painting+techniques%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=artchive-20&linkId=593ab727a53f9f78270497a4d1a90d82&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Price![/su_button]

Selection Criteria

Author and Publication Date: DK, August 16, 2016.
- Our Score – 8/10
Topics Covered: Techniques for working with watercolors, oils, and acrylics, including tone, color, and composition.
- Our Score – 8/10
Price: $29.49
- Our Score – 8/10

About “Artist’s Painting Techniques” by DK

Artist’s Painting Techniques is a great book for beginners who want to start painting right away, it covers a broad spectrum of painting techniques, including watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting, allowing beginners to experiment with different mediums and find the one they enjoy the most. Each medium is broken down into clear sections, making it easy to learn from the basics to semi advanced techniques.

One of the standout features of this book is its high quality visuals, beautiful photos and illustrations come with each lesson, providing clear examples of each step and finished piece, plus it includes numerous practical projects that let you apply what you’ve learned, and that range from simple exercises to more advanced pieces. The book is filled with tips and advice from professional artists, which can help you avoid common mistakes and improve your technique more quickly.

Pros

Comprehensive technique coverage
Variety of mediums
Detailed instructional content

Cons

Requires many supplies
Not for absolute beginners

3. Best Watercolor Book for Beginners — Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Watercolour-Absolute-Beginner-Matthew-Palmer/dp/184448825X?crid=RDKDGKH0WR43&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dzQmfWxz8PBDCKar2IGC826ddb4PhM7e85w4xjDLbxwSvyZNyP8WNx8umt_fAmvcSGrrKlZapK2NfIImVlYIBXLGup5i0WY3HE4x9q04Pf7nJCOwzXF7ReAuKqeM1xA4KBt3DeVNm9GxgzTWtB4bQcbox_SwkyZ8IoK4TYSxDu0h1RUND8C5P5EAPsvO8LHmADvNhSDtnzKoiKVRj4B1edqDbpTednZZwND1MSL6_s0.i2Rph2tyv1ZG_m938ogDWXzqcX61bLn9HvTTCaKNfPU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Watercolor+for+the+Absolute+Beginner&qid=1716064121&sprefix=watercolor+for+the+absolute+beginner%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=artchive-20&linkId=25a5b8abfa3c418ec9b0186243cb6117&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Price![/su_button]

Selection Criteria

Author and Publication Date: Matthew Palmer, March 24, 2014.
- Our Score – 8/10
Topics Covered: This book provides basic watercolor techniques and includes practical exercises to help beginners effectively learn and apply these techniques.
- Our Score – 8/10
Price: $16.40
- Our Score – 8/10

About “Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner” by Mark and Mary Willenbrink

Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner is the best book for anyone new to the world of watercolor painting, tailored specifically for beginners, the book provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that make learning watercolor techniques accessible for everyone. Each lesson is broken down into manageable parts, so you can progress at your own pace.

The book covers the basics, from choosing the right materials to learning the fundamental techniques like washes, glazing, and blending, it also includes plenty of exercises and projects designed to be both educational and fun, helping you gain confidence while you build your skills.

The authors understand the challenges many beginners face, so they provide many motivational tips and tricks to keep you inspired and avoid common mistakes, making it an excellent choice for any watercolor enthusiast.

Pros

Focused on beginners
Clear, simple instructions

Cons

Limited to watercolor

4. Best Drawing Book for Beginners — Drawing for the Absolute Beginner

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Absolute-Beginner-Clear-Successful/dp/1581807899?crid=TGX4XHXYBEVW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.91BNDj7ILH7zDZUGP99UqzRhxuaGEAPaeo7m85A7zpRwEJDwUF-ZZ9YDwBq_7cGRrXFi8dhTo8cjuKn_epwXVp9jsuumLTnsgPHVRQeDSIxx4tEPVr2RJ1ocdYV8X55e1wZmBc6zzL5hU5-iEsvZQEbGKfWVuEN1PY77-Zcyw0gbWpTRifu_MkMuliTA-AmvEkWc0o5gA08vCpL8o-9I-QbSn85B7csR3uva6-fOY2k.zACdGfYOuBakdI30HaJNtWJdKJGoWPyU6BfnNGg9t2g&dib_tag=se&keywords=Drawing+for+the+Absolute+Beginner&qid=1716064141&sprefix=drawing+for+the+absolute+beginner%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=artchive-20&linkId=45d796ed01bbee400bb241d621e59067&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Price![/su_button]

Selection Criteria

Author and Publication Date: Mark and Mary Willenbrink, November 2, 2006.
- Our Score – 8/10
Topics Covered: The book provides a clear and easy guide to successful drawing, covering fundamental drawing techniques..
- Our Score – 8/10
Price: $12.79
- Our Score – 8/10

About “Drawing for the Absolute Beginner” by Mark and Mary Willenbrink

Drawing for the Absolute Beginner is an excellent starting point for anyone new to drawing, it provides easy to understand, step-by-step instructions that make learning to draw accessible for everyone. The book covers all the essential basics, from shapes and shading to perspective and proportion, and includes exercises to help improve your skills with each drawing. The book is designed to help you progress at your own pace, with each new chapter, you build on the skills you’ve acquired, and also provides information on additional resources, such as recommended supplies and further reading to keep learning and improving.

Pros

Beginner-friendly approach
Basic skills focus
Gradual difficulty increase

Cons

Slow progression

5. Best Art Book for Art Students and Beginners — Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Right-Side-Brain-Definitive/dp/1585429201?crid=1VF3MYSZI4IU2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xuhg0WHBK64jwG3xzdJak41d2NUI1Ym7pF-5jjmkWqXSJmfJhFBXRNddaOjFKrBlC3uaiNw62aUeM6yMjo0PYA7HcaHUI8PRsLcGGMHFp1yc-T0DX5lGKsI0tWfnQjgA4-8vBfja5sPtZKE8U92gmGArOR2zixPJeZOfuvgs66gBYYuY-gK7K6_OYY2BmLTraiI_g_3ouzU_usP1xdSHsXZsHp3jAAqrtEtop82wiFo.qaTJqgetfeS2poqIjFID3ouRRg4NgOBir5wqzx4DMRI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Drawing+on+the+Right+Side+of+the+Brain&qid=1716064162&sprefix=drawing+on+the+right+side+of+the+brain%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=artchive-20&linkId=a53335a20861241a99264a00b596f38b&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl” target=”blank” background=”#ef2e2d” size=”6″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ rel=”nofollow sponsored”]View Price![/su_button]

Selection Criteria

Author and Publication Date: Betty Edwards, April 26, 2012.
- Our Score – 8/10
Topics Covered: The book focuses on using the right hemisphere of the brain to enhance drawing skills. It teaches five fundamental perceptual skills of drawing which include perceiving edges, spaces, relationships, lights, and shadows.
- Our Score – 8/10
Price: $13.18
- Our Score – 8/10

About “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the best book for anyone wanting to learn how to draw or improve their observational skills. This book has helped millions of people discover their artistic potential, teaching them to see the world differently by focusing on right-brain, visual, intuitive thinking.

The book’s emphasis lies on improving your perception by seeing edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows, and the whole picture, rather than just the parts. There are many practical exercises that help reinforce the concepts you learn as you read the book, as well as numerous case studies and examples of students who have changed and improved their drawing abilities using the book.

Pros

Enhances creative thinking
Proven teaching method

Cons

More theoretical approach

Tips for Using Art Books Effectively

Take the time to follow the step-by-step instructions in your art book. This will help you understand the techniques properly and ensure you’re learning the right way.
Make it a habit to practice regularly. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on the exercises in your art book. Consistent practice is key to improving your skills.
Don’t rush through the exercises. Focus on mastering each step before moving on to the next one. Taking your time will help you build a strong foundation.
Invest in quality art supplies. Using good materials can make a significant difference in your work and make it easier to follow the book’s instructions.
Maintain a sketchbook to practice and track your progress. A sketchbook is a great place to experiment with new techniques and document your journey.
Regularly look back at your completed exercises and drawings. Reviewing your work helps you see how much you’ve improved and identify areas where you can still grow.
Learning art takes time, so be patient with yourself. Celebrate small achievements along the way and stay persistent, even when things get challenging.
Complement your learning with other resources such as online tutorials, instructional videos, and workshops. Different perspectives and methods can enhance your understanding and skills.
If you’re stuck or don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Seeking help ensures you don’t get frustrated and gives you the support you need.