Books on Drawing and Painting Learning

On this page, I present books on drawing and painting learning that I also have at home and can therefore recommend as book recommendations because I actually know these books. 😉

Drawing and Painting by Brian Bagnall

(ISBN 3 8068 4820 3 – Falken-Verlag GmbH)
Drawing and Painting.

Comment

Let’s start with books on drawing and painting learning in general. This one is a very good and comprehensive book. It covers many different topics (including shading, golden ratio, etc.). It provides information on drawing and painting, as well as the use of various materials. Additionally, it includes template images that can be traced or painted in the technique being discussed. It also shows how such an image is created step by step.

How to draw Manga

(ISBN 3 936686 06 8 eidalon Verlag)
A series of booklets that covers learning to draw and paint manga.

• How to Draw Manga: Booklet 1*
• How To Draw Manga: Booklet 2*
• How To Draw Manga: Booklet 3*
• How To Draw Manga: Booklet 4*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 5*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 6*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 7*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 8*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 9*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 10*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 11*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 12*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 13 – Drawing Horses Correctly*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 14*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 15*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 16*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 17*
• How To Draw Manga: Issue 18
• Shoujo Manga for Beginners: Characters, Figures, Details; With Step-by-Step Drawings*

Comment

Unfortunately, the topics mentioned are not covered in depth and remain superficial. Instead, each issue covers multiple different themes.

Hogarth’s Drawing School

(ISBN 3 8228 1614 0 – Evergreen Verlag)
Hogarth’s Drawing School.*

Comment

The author of this book assumes that the reader already possesses good drawing skills, which is why, in my opinion, the book doesn’t deserve the title “Drawing School.”

Instead, it inundates the reader with example images of human anatomy. The truly helpful tips and tricks that can benefit a beginner can easily be overlooked due to the variety of topics covered.

Ultimately, it is a book intended for beginners, but even advanced artists can learn from it. Unfortunately, the content is not organized chronologically, so one has to search for the sections that correspond to their own skill level.

Creative Children’s Art – Fun with Painting

(ISBN 3 86070 354 4 – Karl Müller Verlag)
Fun with Painting*

Comment

This book provides a brief introduction to color mixing and showcases various materials that can be used for painting. Additionally, it offers plenty of craft tips and alternative ways to work with color, aside from using brushes. It encourages experimentation and is not only enjoyable for children.

Intensive Course on Drawing and Painting Fantasy Characters by Finlay Cowan

(ISBN 3-426-66898-x Knaur Verlag)
Intensive Course on Drawing and Painting Fantasy Characters. From Idea to Finished Scene*

Comment

With a variety of example images from different artists, Finlay Cowan manages to captivate and inspire readers. The pictures are visually stunning, but they require more advanced drawing skills to accomplish.

This book certainly provides tips and tricks on drawing fantasy, but readers are mostly left on their own when it comes to execution. Cowan usually sticks to the basic drawings in simple forms, making this book more suitable for experienced artists who have the necessary skills and experience to create such drawings on their own and further develop them with the help of the book.

How to Draw Cartoon Animals (Comics Made Easy) by Christopher Hart

(ISBN 0 8230 2360 5- Watson-Guptill Publications)
How to Draw Cartoon Animals by Christopher Hart*

Comment

This book is ideal for aspiring and advanced comic artists. The author provides step-by-step instructions for drawing various cartoon animals without repeating himself or sounding condescending. It’s a great resource for working and recreating the drawings. The book also includes many additional tips and tricks.

The Artist’s Complete Guide to Facial Expression
(Mastering Facial Expressions) by Gary Faigin

(ISBN 0 3230 1628 5 – Watson-Guptill Publications)
(Also available in Germany, but from Evergreen Verlag)
Mastering Facial Expressions*

Comment

This book is ideal for people who enjoy drawing people in different life situations or with emotional expressions. It may be less suitable for beginners, but they can use the book to develop their skills by studying the facial expressions depicted and described towards the end.

The book describes how facial expressions work and how they are created. It also illustrates the effect of light and shadow on facial expressions through impressive example images.

It is one of the few books on the market that covers this topic. It does not disappoint because it is comprehensive and easy to understand (at least in the English version that I have available).

Anatomy for Fantasy Artists by Glenn Fabry

(ISBN 3-426-64192-5 Knaur)
From basic knowledge to correctly illustrating movements in step-by-step images.
Anatomy for Fantasy Artists*

Comment

There are several books on drawing fantasy characters, but this one is interesting for advanced artists who want to expand their skills in the realm of fantasy drawing. It is very inspiring.

How to Draw Manga by Christopher Hart

*(ISBN 3-8228-1581-0 Evergreen Verlag)

Step-by-step instructions, inspirations, and techniques.
How to Draw Manga*

Comment

One of the many books on drawing manga. It is suitable for beginners with basic drawing knowledge. Christopher Hart not only shows the differences between different manga styles but also explains their typical features. At the end, he provides additional information about manga artists and drawing, and there’s even a mini Japanese language course. The book has been crafted with great attention to detail.

Intensive Course on Manga Drawing by Christopher Hart

(ISBN-13 978-3-426-66790-3 | ISBN-10 3-426-66790-8 Knaur Verlag)

Anime Manga – Action and Characters in the style of Japanese animated films
Anime Mania. Intensive Course on Manga Drawing. Comics in the Japanese Style*

Comment

The topics and techniques covered in this book are more suitable for advanced manga artists (less so for beginners). It shows various characters and manga types in step-by-step images, so everyone should find something of interest.

In the end, this book is less about inspiration and more about improving basic skills. However, it does provide a few tricks and tips for those who want to enhance their abilities.

German Handwriting by Harald Süß

(ISBN 3-426-66879-3 Knaur Verlag)
Learning to read and write.
German Handwriting. Learning to Read and Write.*

Comment

You may remember it from school because it’s a workbook where you can immediately practice exercises by drawing them in the workbook. Those interested in calligraphy and handwriting, or fonts in general, might find this workbook exciting. Of course, you can also surprise your grandma on her birthday by giving her a self-written card or poem in old German handwriting. It can also be useful for decorations.

More Books

I have also featured some books on painting, drawing, and crafts on my blog:

• Hand Lettering by Katja Haas
• Drawing – Tips for Creative People by Albrecht Rissler
• Basic Course in Digital Illustration by Nana Swiczinsky
• The Art Magazine “Joy of Drawing”