Artist’s Reading List
Looking for the perfect book for the artist in your life? Are you a creative in search of another good read to add to your bookshelf? I’ve compiled a few of my faves (and a few I’m itching to get!) in the list below. Some are historical, some are informative, some are my go-to’s for finding inspiration.
This time of year when the sun sets early and festivities of the holidays have passed, I love spending dark evenings under a soft blanket + reading a book. Let’s get crackin’, shall we?
Find the whole list for purchase here or click the book covers to shop Amazon.
1. Pantone - The Twentieth Century in color
From the authority on color, this book is an amazing history of color + cultural events, all wrapped up together. It’s an in-depth guide to a century of color, from fashion, art, home decor, architecture, and cyclical trends that any artist will appreciate.
2. Josef Albers: Interaction of Color
A masterwork in art education originally published in 1963, Josef Albers’s book remains an essential guide in color. I was first introduced to this book in a university printmaking class and think of it / refer back to it often!
3. Thinking with Type
by Ellen Lupton
Whether you’re a graphic designer who works with type often, or a painter, this guide to typography is fascinating. We’re constantly surrounded by type, from signs on the street to ads as we scroll social media. This book will make you appreciate typefaces with a new eye.
4. The Principles of Uncertainty
A whimsically illustrated narrative by the artist Maira Salman. It’s like the ultimate picture book for grown-ups and I couldn’t put it down. There’s no real start or end (though it’s lovely to read cover to cover). I often find myself turning to a random page for doses of inspiration from Kalman’s wit and wonder.
5. The Modern Natural Dyer
by Kristine Vejar
A beautiful guide to creating dyes with natural materials. It’s full to the brim with lovely photography of ingredients, fibers, fabrics, and the dyeing process. A wonderful resource for amateur or experienced artists who are interested in natural dyeing or fiber arts of any kind!
6. Design is Story - Telling
by Ellen Lupton
Informative, insightful, and inspiring, this book shows how to use narrative and principles of storytelling to creative more successful (and satisfying!) design. No matter what you’re designing, this book is one to refer back to often.
7. The Artist’s Way
by Julia Cameron
You guys - this book. It’s a favorite in general, not just a fave about art, and it can apply to anyone who does anything even remotely creative. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in a rut or you don’t know what to do next, read this! It’s broken down into twelve segments, with coursework you can do, and it is the BEST for reinvigorating you to create the work (and the life) you want.
8. Design As Art
by Bruno Munari
Originally published in 1966 & groundbreaking for its time, this is a classic that every artist should read! Munari’s mid-century Italian humor is sprinkled throughout this knowledgeable book explaining the merit of industrial, graphic, and architectural design.
9. The Secret Lives of Color
by Kassia St. Clair
We take color for granted these days, but having access to every imaginable shade is pretty new! This book is an exploration of the cultural and social history of colors, examining 75 fascinating shades, dyes, and hues. It’ll answer questions you didn’t even think to wonder about color.
10. Chromatopia: An illustrated history of Color
by David Coles
With stunning photography, this breathtaking book is a deep dive into the history and chemistry of color. This book is well rounded & focuses more on the science of color than ‘The Secret Lives of Color’ does, so don’t fear, they’re both worth reading even if there might be some overlap!
11. Steal Like an Artist: Ten Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
by Austin Klein
If you’ve ever felt creative but stifled, give this book a go. It’s a quick read, but its messages will stick with you long after. Inspiring, motivating, it encourages you to create more authentic work by creating work you love. Definitely a bit ‘self-help’-y, do you like that sort of thing? I do.
12. Women in Art: Fifty Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World
by Rachel Ignotofsky
“A collection of charmingly illustrated and inspiring profiles of fifty pioneering female artists, from the eleventh century to today”. A beautifully illustrated and wonderfully diverse look at artists you already know of and others that you should!
This blog post includes Amazon Affiliate links, which provide a small commission to Rachel Iverson if any books are purchased through links. Happy reading!
