Best books to learn Drawing & sketching, in order

Reading paths for drawing & sketching

Learn to draw what you see

Beginner8books41 hrs4 stages

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Pen-and-ink drawing: books to master line and crosshatching

Beginner7books36 hrs5 stages

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Perspective drawing: the best books to master depth and space, in order

Beginner9books47 hrs5 stages

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Portrait drawing for beginners: the best books to capture a likeness

Beginner8books42 hrs5 stages

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Figure drawing and anatomy: the best books to draw the body, in order

Beginner9books50 hrs4 stages

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Charcoal Drawing: Best Books to Master Value, Shading and Portraits

Beginner5books20 hrs4 stages

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Popular drawing & sketching books

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the BrainBetty Edwards · 1999

Keys to drawingBert Dodson · 1985

The natural way to drawKimon Nicolaïdes · 1941

Drawing the head and figureJack Hamm · 1963

SketchingKoos Eissen · 2008

Sketching and rendering in pencilArthur Leighton Guptill · 1922

Related reading

• Learn to draw what you see (it’s a seeing skill, not a gift)
• Calligraphy and hand lettering: from shaky strokes to confident scripts
• Digital illustration on the iPad: fundamentals first, filters never

Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning drawing & sketching?

Drawing is a seeing skill: line, value, form, perspective. Anyone who can write can learn — the books retrain the eye stroke by stroke.

What's a good book to start drawing & sketching with?

A strong starting point is The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.

What should I read after drawing & sketching?

Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like Watercolor painting, Digital illustration, Calligraphy & hand lettering.

Related subjects