This follows on from my recent email: Why Theory Is Important. A few readers asked what my go-to resources are for learning theory. Below are a few off the top of my head.
Books
- Alla Prima II by Richard Schmid – A must-read for aspiring artists. Covers technique and fundamental principles.
- The Art Spirit by Robert Henri – Valuable knowledge for navigating the art life.
- Bridgeman’s Complete Guide to Drawing from Life by George Bridgman – Timeless and fundamental drawing information. I refer to this book whenever I need something to draw.
- Artists’ Letters by Michael Bird – A great compilation of letters by famous artists. Some wise words here!
- Figure Drawing for Artists by Steve Huston – Simple and clear information for figure drawing.
Websites
- Wikiart – For exploring artists and artworks.
- Google Arts and Culture – For exploring artists and artworks.
- Wikicommons – For high-resolution photos of master artworks.
- Met Museum – For high-resolution photos of master artworks.
- Lines and Colors – A simple blog that shares master artists.
- Draw Mix Paint – A website by Mark Carder and a great resource for those who want to learn how to paint realism with oils. He also creates many useful tools for artists.
- Gurney Journey – A blog by James Gurney. If there is anything I am unsure about in the world of painting, I check out his blog.
- The Art Story – A huge database of art history.
- Wet Canvas – The top forum for fine artists.
Videos
- Steve Huston – Remarkable artist and teacher.
- Glenn Vilppu – For drawing education. He has a wonderful style.
- Jeff Watts – Artist, teacher, and founder of the Watts Atelier.
- Proko – Drawing and general art videos by Stan Propopenko. He was a student of Jeff Watts.
Other
- Skeleton Model – If you do any figure drawing, it’s worth having one of these in your studio.
- Color Charts – If you have done any color charts, keep them visible in the studio. They are a useful reference when faced with a challenging color to mix. Refer to this post to see an example of color charts.
- Local museums and exhibitions – There’s nothing like seeing masterful paintings up close.
I’m sure I’ve missed some, but that’s what I can think of at the moment.
If you want to learn more, come join my 30-Day Creativity Kickstart.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
