Recommended Reading
for Inspiring & Teaching the Emerging Artist

ART APPRECIATION/ ART HISTORY (preschool thru early elementary)

Mommy, It’s a Renoir by Aline D. Wolfe Parent Child Press
An interactive book, which contains color reproductions of famous artworks in postcard size. The book provides ideas for games to play with the cards to teach a young child art styles of famous artists.

Art From Many Hands by Jo Miles Schuman
This book offers its readers ideas on how to explore multi-cultural art with your child. Photos of examples accompany the written instructions.

ART APPRECIATION (preteen – adult)

Essential Art History by Laura Payne Parragon Press
This is a concise photo journey of the history of art. Each page presents an artist and his style of painting or drawing, with an explanation of the purpose of art during that time period.

150 Masterpieces of Art by Anthony Toney Dover Press
Any artist that can look thru this book and not be moved by at least one drawing, better check his pulse. This selection of famous works in graphite allows the viewer to understand the meaning of value, interesting line, and detail.

CLAY AND SCULPTURE (preschool)

Mudworks by Mary Ann Kohl Bright Ring Publishing
A fun collection of ideas for creating sculptures out of varying clay/dough mixtures. Many of the recipes for the dough combine ingredients from your kitchen cabinet. There are photos included to give the reader an idea of what each modeling compound looks like when formed.

CLAY AND SCUPTURE (Elementary)

The Incredible Clay Book by Sherri Haab Klutz Press
This book is devoted to Polymer Clay only, but has many fun applications for jewelry and sculpting that could carry over to any type of clay work. It is easy to understand and filled with bright colored photos.

CLAY AND SCULPTURE (preteen/adult)

The Potter’s Complete Book of Clay and Glazes by James Chappell Watson-Guptill
A reference book that reveals the qualities of various clays. There are also examples of glazes to assist the reader in selecting the appropriate one for their project.

Make It In Clay by Charlotte F. Speight; John Toki McGraw Hill Press
This is an expensive book but well worth it. Whether the reader is working on a wheel, hand forming a bowl, or building in clay, there is something valuable to learn in this book.

Hand built Tableware by Kathy Triplett Lark Books Press
Do not let the title fool you! This book provides complete information on tools, and clay techniques for the adult beginner. The examples of bowls and dishes are creative and they will stimulate good design in whatever the reader chooses to create.

DRAWING (preschool - elementary)

The How to Draw Beginners Art Series by Walter Foster
Easy to follow, step-by-step picture instructions are given. Each book focuses on one subject. (animals, cars, people, landscapes, etc.)

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards Tarcher Publishing
This book is designed to assist parents or teachers of young children. It provides ideas and examples of drawing projects that challenge a student to use the right side, or creative side of their brain, which is often dominated by the left, or logical side.

DRAWING (preteen – adult)

The Drawing Book by Richard McDaniel Watson-Guptill Press
A wonderful book, full of colorful photographs, that leads the artist thru selecting materials, techniques, and step-by-step drawings. A mini encyclopedia of drawing.

Starting to Draw by Wendon Blake
The artwork in this book is all in graphite, which prevents color from being a distraction for the new artist. Whether the author is demonstrating how to draw a landscape, portrait, or still life, the emphasis is on developing a good value system…a must for any successful artist.

Still Life in Pencil by Gene Franks Walter Foster Publishing
This book is thin, but every page is brimming with beautiful graphite drawings. The introduction gives examples of how to bring light into drawings of geometric shapes. This process is the foundation for drawing everything in a three dimensional format.

JEWELRY DESIGN (preschool - elementary)

Beads, Bangles and Bracelets by Ray Gibson Usborne Press
Bright colorful photos of jewelry that wee ones can do. This book is a great source of inspiration that will stimulate the young child to consider making beautiful jewelry out of everyday objects.

JEWELRY DESIGN (preteen – adult)

Complete Beading for Beginners by Karen Rempel Harbour Publishing
This book gives examples of how to use jewelry tools, how to use findings, and how to select materials for each project.

Beading for the First Time by Ann Benson Chapelle Press
This is an easy to understand book for the aspiring jewelry artist that may be insecure about how to get started.

PERSPECTIVE (preteen – adult)

Perspective Drawing by Ernest Norling Walter Foster Press
Simple line drawings show the process of drawing in one or two point perspective.

Perspective for the Comic Book Artist by David Chelsea Watson-Guptill
The author of this book has already succeeded in the comic illustration industry. It is full of examples of how to draw cartoons or comics with depth and in proper perspective.

PORTRAIT (elementary - preteen)

How to Draw and Paint People by Angela Gair Walter Foster Press
Using an egg for a head shape, this book teaches the reader the measuring process for any portrait. There are more pictures in this book than text, so, it is excellent for the young reader.

Drawing Faces by Dickens and McCafferty Usborne Books
This book emphasizes the creative interpretation of a portrait rather than the classical one. Collage, cartoon, caricature, and paper sculpting are a few examples of this. The color-mixing page is helpful for those who may be new at creating skin tone.

PORTRAIT (adult)

How to Draw Heads and Portraits by Jose Parramon Watson Guptill
This book begins with measuring of the face and then moves to specific detailing of facial features. The mix of color portraits, and pencil portraits, allow the reader to explore the effects various media can have on a piece.

Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm Putnam Publishing
Everything an artist needs to know in order to draw humans. This book combines detailed studies of facial features with full figure anatomy drawings. All sketches are in graphite.

PRINTMAKING (preteen – adult)

Printmaking by Henry Frankenfield Speedball Art Prod. Co.
This small book is packed with information on printing materials and the process. Each page has artwork that allows the reader to contrast the effects of various printing methods.

WATERCOLOR (elementary)

Watercolor Step-by-Step by Kolan Peterson Walter Foster Press
Another great Foster press book with many pictures for the young reader to follow.
Note: Some Walter Foster books go out of print and new artists are featured. In this case, any watercolor book in the beginner’s series would be suggested.

Watercolor: A Visual History by Michael Clarke Doris Kindersley Publishing
This book does not teach a child how to watercolor, but it is valuable in showing a child the realm of results an artist can achieve using this media. There are over 70 full color photos of works ranging from Turner to modern watercolorists.

WATERCOLOR (Preteen – Adult)

Watercolor Made Easy by Janet Walsh Watson-Guptill
The author focuses mostly on painting fruit and flowers. It would be valuable to artists wanting to learn more about the glazing color.

Watercolor Painting Techniques by David Lewis Watson-Guptill
Packed full of colorful illustrations and photos of watercolors, this book is a gem for the artist seeking to go on a watercolor adventure. After introducing materials, techniques and color mixing, the author invites the reader to browse through a fine assembly of watercolors.

RECOMMENDED PUBLICATIONS

The Artists Magazine by F&W Publications
A wonderful mix of paintings and drawings by current professional artists are in each issue, but the best part is that they share their trade secrets. This magazine is always exciting to read.

Beadworks Magazine by Interweave Press
This is a must for all those interested in beading. The ideas presented are cutting edge and easy to follow. Buy it at the local bookstore or check www.beadworkmagazine.com.

Watercolor byV.N.U. Business Media
This magazine bursts with colorful photos of watercolors that display a myriad of techniques from classic to newly discovered. It is a great source of visual stimulation for any watercolorist.

Ceramics Monthly
A magazine that highlights current professional artists and their clay works.

Thank you for visiting the Artists Loft Resource Page. If you live in the Dallas, Texas area and desire art instruction for yourself or your child, we would love to serve you. We offer art classes in all drawing, watercolor, portrait, clay, printmaking, and jewelry. Please visit our web site at www.artistsloftofrichardson.com or call (972) 235-8469.