11 Inspiring Books for Artists

If you are an artist, continually learning is a must in order to grow in your craft. This includes knowing where to find inspiration and where to learn business skills. That way, you can be sure that you are constantly improving and expanding your career as an artist. 

The good news is that many others have come before you, and have shared their experience and expert advice in the form of books. 

Best Books for Artists 

Here are some of the best books to have in your shelf as an artist: 

1. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink 

In this book, Daniel Pink outlines the differences between right-brain and left-brain thinking, and then proposes: what if this age is paving the way for more right-brain, visual thinkers, than the used-to-be lauded left-brain scientific, logical thinkers? 

2. Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins

When you think about pursuing your art as a career, are you afraid you’ll find yourself broke? This is the myth that Jeff Goins sets out to disprove in this book, using examples from history, such as the life of Michelangelo. 

3. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell 

This is the third book of bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, where he examines the lives of some of the greatest minds in history, including philosophers, athletes, and inventors. He asks a simple question: What makes them different? From there, he shows us the necessary ingredients for success. 

4. Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland 

This book talks about making ordinary art, not those made by geniuses like Mozart, whom the author believes come just once in a century. It looks at how some people make art and why many people don’t, tackling the difficulties that artists face. 

5. The Art Spirit by Robert Henri

This book is a compilation of American artist Robert Henri’s lectures, notes, and essays, giving us his practical techniques in painting, as well as his convictions of the wisdom and joy that go with the creative process. 

6. Art/Work: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Hearther Darcy Bhandari 

This complete guide gives you the tools you need, no matter what level you’re in, to succeed in the highly competitive artistic field. It takes into account the rise of social media and other changes in the digital world that makes it even harder for artists to set themselves apart. 

7. The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman 

This book looks at the concept of product design, and how it should help make the use of things easier. It stands on simple rules, such as making things visible, finding natural relationships between function and control, and using constraints intelligently. 

8. How to Read Nancy: The Elements of Comics in Three Easy Panels by Paul Karasik 

This book explores the different building blocks of comics by deconstructing the Nancy comic strip. This is one of the most methodical approaches to showing how the comic medium works, and offers a completely new look at reading art in depth.

9. Art, Inc: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist by Lisa Congdon 

In this book, you will see the many ways that making art can let you earn a living, including licensing, illustration, print sales, fine art sales, teaching, and many more. The book includes industry advice from successful professionals in the art world, and will equip you with the tools you need to make your passion a successful business. 

10. Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas by Danielle Krysa

What if you could get over the creative block that stops most artwork from ever being born? This book includes solutions for overcoming all kinds of hindrances to your creative work, including interviews with 50 international artists who all work with different materials. Their advice will propel you over your self-doubt and into new ideas for your work. 

11. The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love by Jackie Battenfield 

This is a complete guide for both newbies and artists mid-career. It will help you to pursue a profession in the visual arts. Using real-life case examples and practical exercises, the author offers advice that’s easy to apply to any aspect of the job. 

Books to Inspire Artists 

Reading books that will inspire you in your work as a creative is a great investment. When you need reminders of why you do what you do, you can easily reach out and learn from others who have come before you. 

For more insights and inspiration, check out our list of the best books about creativity that will unlock the best of your imagination.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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