Best Drawing & Sketching Books

Number One Best The Creative License

Danny Gregory's book "The Creative License" makes many other drawing books seem like text-books. It's amusing to read, and shows that anyone can draw. Set out like a sketchbook, and written by hand - it's a total delight.

My review here and here.

Fast Sketching Techniques 

This book is exactly what the title says. It's really worth owning - the price fluctuates because it's out of print. Watch for one you can afford.

My review here

An Illustrated Life

A compilation of the sketchbooks of Danny Gregory's favourite artists

Moira Huntly's Sketchbook Secrets

This is Moira Huntly's latest book. Beautiful sketches and interesting ways to develop paintings from sketches.

Drawing from Within

If you ever have trouble with the 'inner critic' this book helps you think differently about drawing. Well worth owning to read every now and again & get yourself thinking straight again. More words than pictures in this one.

My review here.

The Artist's Drawing Book 

An older book by Moira Huntly with even more useful information. Great drawings, some with cheap felt pens that run.

Art of Sketching

This book is a compilation of many sketching techniques and styles. A wonderful addition to any sketcher's library.

My review here.

Painting and Drawing Boats

 This is the book if you want to draw boats - they're difficult - it's the perspective.

Drawing with Colour

 If colour is your thing, this book is terrific. Many varied ways of drawing with coloured media.

Keys to Drawing with Imagination 

This is a wonderful book to have when you're at home and don't know what to draw - full of ideas from drawing from inside your own head.

My review here.

The Artist's Sketchbook

This book with a foreword by HRH has wonderful sketches and plenty of how-to.

Artist's Journal Workshop

This book is soon to be released. I took part in an online workshop with Cathy that fed into this book.

Creating Nature in Watercolour

This book is one of a number about drawing in nature by Cathy Johnson. I know her as a very caring and sharing teacher

Taking a Line for a Walk

Not a how-to book. An actual sketchbook about a journey. An inspiration.