Must-have
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Betty Edwards
The classic method for learning to see and draw what is in front of you.
- Progressive exercises
- Ideal if you are starting from scratch
- An art school classic
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Illustration books
The books teachers and illustrators recommend most for learning to draw, understanding colour and finding inspiration.
Anatomy
Morpho: Anatomy for Artists
Michel Lauricella
Anatomy explained with simple diagrams and simplified shapes, in a pocket format.
- Very visual
- Handy format
- Perfect for the human figure
Color and Light
James Gurney
How light and colour work in the real world and how to bring them into your illustrations.
- Clear explanations
- Examples painted by the author
- Useful for digital and traditional work
Classic
Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth
Andrew Loomis
The historic reference for learning proportions and the human figure.
- Block construction method
- Hundreds of illustrations
- A foundation for comics and illustration
Inspiration
Steal Like an Artist
Austin Kleon
Ten short ideas about creativity to get you unstuck and find your style.
- Read it in an afternoon
- Very motivating
- A great gift
Drawing the Head and Hands
Andrew Loomis
The perfect companion to the figure book: portraits, expressions and hands step by step.
- Building the head from a sphere
- Facial proportions
- Hands in countless poses
Anatomy
Anatomy for the Artist
Photographs, drawings and anatomy studies you can grasp at a glance, very useful for figure drawing.
- Photographs and drawings
- Very visual
- For all levels
Comics
Understanding Comics
The go-to book on how stories are told in panels, itself told in comic form.
- Visual storytelling
- Engaging and clear
- An industry reference
Perspective
How to Draw
Perspective and object construction explained step by step by an industrial designer.
- Step-by-step perspective
- Drawing objects and vehicles
- Lots of examples
Framed Ink
Composition and framing for telling stories with images, ideal for comics, storyboards and narrative illustration.
- Composition and framing
- Light and contrast
- For visual storytelling
Career
How to Be an Illustrator
Practical advice for making a living from illustration: portfolio, clients, commissions and how to quote.
- Professional focus
- Portfolio and clients
- Real-world experiences
Inspiration
Keep Going
Ten ideas for staying creative through good days and bad.
- Short read
- Very motivating
- Ideal as a gift
Quick guide
How to choose: illustration books
Start with the basics
If you are just starting out, a general drawing manual will give you more than a book about one specific style.
Theory and practice
Pair a theory book (anatomy, perspective, colour) with a sketchbook to do the exercises.
Art books
Artbooks by your favourite illustrators are a great source of reference and motivation.