5 Art Books for Book Lovers
Looking for inspiration? Maybe you need some instruction? Or maybe your coffee table could use a new accessory? Either way, here are 5 art related books that we love that would look good on any artist's shelf.
"You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself. That’s the message from Austin Kleon, a young writer and artist who knows that creativity is everywhere, creativity is for everyone. A manifesto for the digital age, Steal Like an Artist is a guide whose positive message, graphic look and illustrations, exercises, and examples will put readers directly in touch with their artistic side." - stolen from Amazon
I've used a handful of exercises and concepts from this book in several of my classes. I want to be clear and upfront about one thing though: this book is for someone who wants to learn to draw and is willing to put in some work. Drawing is not some mysterious gift, it can be learned by anyone but it's a skill that has to be acquired through practice and training. If you want more than a step-by-step instruction book, then this is the one for you.
ART/WOrk
This book is a great resource for anyone taking their first steps at becoming a professional artist. It's not really the kind of book that you would read cover to cover but offers specific information that can help an artist apply for shows or sell their work. A great gift for any student in art college or recent graduates.
Seven Days in the art world
I would recommend this book to anyone that has a passing familiarity with the art world and an interest to learn more. The author goes through a series of different subcultures in the art community that reveal a lot about art, business, and society. It's written in such a way that makes it very accessible to any reader.
The Value of Art
Have you ever wondered why some paintings sell for millions of dollars? Why would anyone ever pay that much for some pigmented oil splashed on canvas stretched across a few pieces of wood? Well, the answers are in this book. It helps to know a little bit about the art world before reading but anyone can understand the concepts put forth in this text.