Drawing
ESSENTIAL BOOKS
A curated collection of timeless books on drawing, painting, composition, and art history — the books that have shaped my education and continue to inspire my teaching and practice.
DRAWING
• Charles Bargue — Drawing Course — the foundational drawing course used in ateliers for over a century
• Robert Beverly Hale — Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters — master drawings analyzed to teach timeless principles
• Andrew Loomis — Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth; Drawing the Head and Hands — classic guides to understanding the human figure
• Glenn Vilppu — Vilppu Drawing Manual — clear, practical instruction on drawing the figure from life
• Juliette Aristides — Classical Drawing Atelier — the atelier method, beautifully explained
• Harold Speed — The Practice and Science of Drawing — principles that haven’t aged a day
PAINTING
• John F. Carlson — Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting — a complete guide to painting outdoors in all seasons
• Richard Schmid — Alla Prima II — insights and techniques for expressive, direct painting
• James Gurney — Color and Light — a deep dive into light, color, and atmosphere
• Harold Speed — Oil Painting Techniques and Materials — practical exercises for brush control and confidence
COMPOSITION
• Molly Bang — Picture This: How Pictures Work — a brilliant visual guide to composition and storytelling
• Marcos Mateu-Mestre — Framed Ink — master the art of visual composition and design
• Edgar Payne — Composition of Outdoor Painting — lessons on design, values, and simplifying the landscape
ART HISTORY
• Giorgio Vasari — Lives of the Artists — the original biographies of the greatest artists
• E.H. Gombrich — The Story of Art — the definitive account of art history
• Walter Isaacson — Leonardo da Vinci — a deep and inspiring look at a genius
HAVE A RECOMMENDATION?
I’m always adding to this list. Let me know your favorites — hannahwynkoopart@gmail.com.
Painting
Composition and design
