An Artist’s Book List

Greetings and salutations Everyone!

In today’s post I thought it would be a great idea to share a list of some of the most influential, inspiring, and skill strengthening books I have came across during my artistic career, both before and during my atelier training.

I admit, these are the kinds of books where you could constantly refer back to them and always learn something new. I've actually forgotten how many times I've read some of these!

..So let's get started!

The Practice of Oil Painting & Drawing

by Solomon J. Solomon

I found this book to be a constant reference source, especially during a formative period in my atelier training. This book is super condensed with essential techniques primarily focusing on the fundamentals. It's absolute gold! I bet when this first came out it was referred to as an instant classic.

The Art Spirit

by Robert Henri

I found this book in particular to be very inspiring and validating. While it does have some technical instruction, I feel it is primarily focused on the challenges, goals, and struggles as an artist from a more philosophical standpoint. While I personally would not choose to paint like him, I think that his insight and his perception of reality through the eyes of a painter is complete genius, hands down!

The Painter In Oil

by Daniel Parkhurst

Just like Solomon's book, this was also a constant reference. Considering the time in which was written, it is also super condensed and may take a while to completely grasp how and what he talks about. While discussing the importance of materials and techniques, he strongly emphasizes in obtaining a firm foundation. I thought it was very eloquently written.

The Practice & Science of Drawing

by Harold Speed

This book is an absolute gem! For any aspiring artist, especially from the classical tradition who wants to increase their draftsmanship skills, is a book simply one can't go without. I would say that this book is pretty much a staple in creating a firm foundation as an artist. When you hear a seasoned artist say "drawing is everything", after reading this book it truly makes sense. I'd also like to point out that his painting book makes a great addition as well.

Art & Fear

by David Bayles & Ted Orland

I've found this book to be exceptionally helpful and inspiring due to its introspective nature. While being passionately written, this book focuses on the emotional/psychological challenges one faces as living a life of an artist, creative and otherwise. In shedding light on these issues, I found it uplifting as it teaches you to be brave.

Figure Drawing: Design and Invention

by Michael Hampton

This book was especially helpful in my first year in the atelier. While the anatomical references I think are predominantly based in illustration, I feel what I gained most from it was that it helped me create and conceptualize better block ins and to create and preserve the gesture within the figure.

Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life

by George B. Bridgman

Another instant classic! While I'm not particularly a fan of his drawings from an aesthetic perspective, the way he conceptualizes construction, gesture, anatomical reference and etc., is just brilliant! Solid instruction.

The Human Figure

by John Vanderpoel

I thought this to be such a nice and compact reference. I admit the writing can be a little dry, but it is thorough! The drawings the drawings were beautiful and finely crafted.

Charles Bargue: Drawing Course

by Gerald Ackerman

This book has been extremely helpful, and continues to do so! In my humble opinion, the time I have spent working on Bargue plates has completely revolutionized my drawing practice. While the plates are beautiful, I'd recommend getting them scanned or finding larger files online as to gain the most out of their use.

Alla Prima II Everything I Know about Painting-- and More

by Richard Schmid

While being pretty expensive, I can assure you it is worth every penny! This book is jam packed full of wisdom from a true master. As it does have some principles in it relating to the classical tradition, its perspectives and approach are relatively "contemporary" when compared to how I was taught. You can tell Richard Schmid's style of painting is highly influenced by the "bravura" school of thought, coming from John Singer Sargent.

The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques

by Ralph Mayer

I'd say this book is for the scientist in every artist. Whether you're curious about the archival quality of materials, chemicals, pigments, how to handle them...this is your go to book. Very informative.

Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice

by Juliette Aristides

This is one of those books that I lost count on how many times I went back to it. After graduating from her atelier, I still continue to reference it and things always become clearer to me. Her writing can be esoteric yet powerful.

Lessons in Classical Painting: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier

by Juliette Aristides

As far as I know this is the latest of her books. Even after graduating I still have this at my side when painting as I find it keeps my core skills sharp. This book is so compact and full of structured lessons. You could say in a way that this book could act as a sort of template or primer to the atelier experience. I admit that I am truly humbled in being a part in the making of this book. In it you'll find some of my own work as reference material, a sphere painting demo I finished, as well as acting as one of her models in one of her painting demos. I highly recommend her books.

Please feel free to let me know how any of these books effected your work? What did you think of them?

Thanks for reading Everyone!

-James Hansen
https://jameszenartist.weebly.com/