Shopping for art supplies and books is one of the best things about being an artist but it can also be overwhelming if you haven't figured out your favorites yet. Below is a list of art books that I love and recommend. You can click on any item listed to go to a link on Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but the price from Amazon remains the same for you.

About Sketching

The Urban Sketching Handbook Understanding Light: Portraying Light Effects in On-Location Drawing and Painting by Katie Woodward

The Urban Sketching Handbook: Understanding Perspective: Easy Techniques for Mastering Perspective Drawing on Location by Stephanie Bower

Urban Sketching by Marc Taro Holmes

The Art of Urban Sketching: Drawing on Location around the World by Gabi Campanario

The Urban Sketching Handbook: Architecture and Cityscapes by Gabi Campanario

The Urban Sketching Handbook: People and Motion by Gabi Campanario

5-Minute Sketching -- Architecture: Super-quick Techniques for Amazing Drawings by Liz Steel

Every Day Matters by Danny Gregory

Andrea's Book by Andrea Joseph

The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds by John Muir Laws

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws

About Drawing

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson

Sketchbook for the Artist by Sarah Simblet

The Realism Challenge: Drawing and Painting Secrets from a Modern Master of Hyperrealism by Mark Crilley

The Leonardo da Vinci Sketchbook

Beginning Drawing Atelier, An Instructional Sketchbook by Juliette Aristides

Figure Drawing Atelier, An Instructional Sketchbook by Juliette Aristides

Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier by Juliette Aristides

Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life by George B. Bridgman

About Watercolors

The entire series of Splash, books by Northlight Books, is a great addition to any watercolorist's books shelves. This series consists of one book published every year featuring some of the best watercolors produced that year. I am partial to Splash 15 and Splash 17 because they feature some of my paintings (high five!) but the entire series is worth buying. The Splash books are not “how to” books, but rather, great inspiration.

Splash 17: Inspiring Subjects (The Best of Watercolor)

Splash 15: Creative Solutions (The Best of Watercolor)

Working South: Paintings and Sketches by Mary Whyte

Painting by Design: Getting to the Essence of Good Picture-Making by Charles Reid

The Natural Way to Paint: Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully by Charles Reid

About Botanical Watercolors

The Art of Botanical Painting by Margaret Stevens

The Botanical Palette: Color for the Botanical Painter by Margaret Stevens

Botanical Sketchbook by Mary Ann Scott

Billy Showell's Botanical Painting in Watercolour by Billy Showell

About Composition & Design

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang