Unleash your inner artist with the help of these fabulous books. Readers of all ages and artists of all abilities are sure to find inspiration when browsing through the titles below. Packed full of techniques spanning a wide range of media, styles and artists, these books will help students of art as well as hobby artists. Enjoy and may your inspiration flow!
Disclosure: The Amazon links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize the purchase.
Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages
by Susan Schwake (Author), Rainer Schwake (Photographer)
Review: Packed full of tips and practical activities, the original Art Lab for Kids book is truly olden but golden. Readers are introduced to a wide range of contemporary artists and styles and have the opportunity to try their hand at 52 different projects. Areas of focus are drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and mixed media. Complete with step-by-step instructions, resource lists and photos of finished projects, this is a practical and fun way to explore different art techniques.
Suggested Reading Age: 4 – 10 years.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: You Choose: Having flicked through the book, students choose an artist or technique that catches their eye and follows one of the projects.
Delve Deeper: Students learn more about an artist included in the book. Explore other artworks they have created, where they find their inspiration, etc.
Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great Masters
by MaryAnn F Kohl (Author), Kim Solga (Author)
Review: This book is a wonderful introduction to some of the artistic greats. Ranging from Leonardo Da Vinci to Monet to Georgia O’Keefe, readers are guided to experiment using their techniques. Split into four sections, beginning with the Renaissance and ending with Art Today, students can experiment with a wide range of media. A useful icon guide identifies the experience level required for each project, the amount of preparation needed and the technique addressed. Awarded the 1998 Benjamin Franklin Silver Award and the 2002 Practical Homeschooling Reader Award, this updated second edition features full-colour illustrations.
Suggested Reading Age: 4 – 12 years.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Be Inspired: Students look at a great artist not included in the book. Ask them to identify their signature style/technique and have a go at creating artwork using this.
Modern Art Adventures: 36 Creative, Hands-On Projects Inspired by Artists from Monet to Banksy
by Maja Pitamic (Author), Jill Laidlaw (Author)
Review: Explore and try out modern art techniques with the help of this appealing book. Inside, readers discover the inspiration behind notable modern artworks by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch and Jackson Pollock. Each study is accompanied by two projects that guide young artists to experiment with the techniques discussed. Embracing a wide range of media, readers can create a Swirly Self-portrait Background, Texture Painting or Screaming Hair.
Suggested Age Range: 6 years and up
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Switch It Up: Students recreate a famous artwork using a different artistic technique.
Draw Paint Print Like the Great Artists
by Marion Deuchars (Author)
Review: This super book invites its readers in. Packed full of exercises to complete on the pages, it is reminiscent of an art journal. Readers have ample opportunity to explore and play with techniques introduced. Visually appealing, with hand-drawn illustrations and handwritten font, readers are introduced to artists including Joan Miró, Philip Guston and Sonia Delaunay. A brief synopsis of each artist’s work and style is accompanied by a pencil portrait and an artwork created by the author to highlight the style. The back of the book contains coloured pages to complete the exercises as well as a compilation of the artists featured. Perfect to complete by oneself or as inspiration for art lessons.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 – 12 years. In my opinion, the style of this book would appeal to older students, too.
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tip: Artist Study: Students carry out a study into an artist that appeals to them. Ask them to represent their learning in the style of the book by including exercises for others to try out.
Digital Painting Techniques: Practical Techniques of Digital Art Masters (Digital Art Masters Series) 1st Edition
by 3dtotal.com
Review: This book is perfect for those wanting to explore and develop their digital art-making skills. Highly detailed, each artist shows the steps they went through to create different effects. Contents include speed painting, matte painting and sci-fi/fantasy. A gallery of work provides plenty of inspiration for digital artists of all abilities. Featuring artists such as Nykolai Aleksander, Richard Tilbury and Tiberius Viris, this is a terrific introduction to this growing sector of the visual arts. For those readers who wish to continue delving into this field, 3DTotal have published a further 7 volumes in the Digital Art Masters series.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens & adults
Nonfiction Nuggets Teaching Tips: Practice Makes Perfect: Students select one of the techniques addressed in the book and try it out for themselves.
Downloadable Book List
Happy Reading!
Do YOU know of any other art technique books to add to this list? Please leave a recommendation below to help further support our community.