Traditional Oil Painting — Virgil Elliott

Best for: All oil painters who want to create paintings that last.

Virgil Elliott’s Traditional Oil Painting is the book I recommend when a painter wants to understand not only how to make a painting look good now, but how to make it last. It has saved me countless hours of trial and error in materials, color, drawing, and technique.

The Art of Still Life — Todd M. Casey

Best for: Artists who want to make more thoughtful, convincing, and beautiful still-life paintings.

The Art of Still Life offers a comprehensive, contemporary approach to the subject that instructs artists on the foundation basics and advanced techniques they need for successful drawing and painting. In addition to Casey's stunning paintings, the work of over fifty past and present masters is included, so that the book is both a hardworking how-to manual and a visual treasure trove of some of the finest still life art throughout history and today.

Lessons in Classical Painting: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier  — Juliette Aristides

Best for: Painters who want a disciplined, practical introduction to classical atelier methods.

Lessons in Classical Painting presents aspiring artists with the fundamental skills and tools needed to master painting in the atelier style. With more than 25 years of experience in ateliers and as an art instructor, Aristides pairs personal examples and insights with theory, assignments, and demonstrations for readers, discussions of technical issues, and inspirational quotes. To be honest, every book by Juliette should have a place in your studio.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain  — Betty Edwards

Best for: Beginners and returning artists who want to learn how to truly see before they draw.

This classic has helped many people discover that drawing is not a mysterious talent reserved for a gifted few. Betty Edwards gives practical exercises that strengthen observation and help you set aside assumptions about what you think an object looks like. It is an encouraging place to begin if you want greater confidence and a more perceptive eye.

The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study  — Kimon Nicolaïdes

Best for: Artists willing to build drawing ability through regular, attentive practice.

This book helped shape my own approach to drawing figures, still life, and nature with a greater sense of movement and individuality. Nicolaïdes teaches you to look closely and understand gesture, rhythm, and form through direct observation rather than rigid formulas. The exercises require patience and steady practice, but they can deepen the way you see and bring more life to your drawings.

Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice by  — Juliette Aristides

Best for: Artists who want a structured, self-paced course in traditional realist drawing.

Think of this book as an atelier course you can work through in your own studio. Juliette Aristides leads you from fundamental exercises to increasingly challenging studies, helping you develop accuracy, sensitivity to form, and a deeper understanding of the classical tradition. It is especially valuable for artists who benefit from a clear sequence of study.

Constructive Anatomy  — George Bridgman

Best for: Figure artists who want to understand the body as powerful, connected forms in motion.

Best for: Artists who want a structured, self-paced course in traditional realist drawing.

Before I do figure drawing, I always revisit this book. Bridgman teaches you to see the body as a living structure of interlocking masses rather than a collection of outlines and details. His drawings may take time to understand, but the effort pays off in figures that feel more solid, energetic, and alive. This is a great companion to The Natural Way to Draw.

Complete Guide to Drawing From Life  — George Bridgman

Best for: Artists ready to make their figure drawings more structural, dynamic, and three-dimensional.

This book is actually a compilations of six of Bridgman’s classic drawing books.  His approach truly helped my understand the human body in motion. He shows how the torso, limbs, and joints work together through balance, tension, compression, and twist. This is not a book to rush through; return to it often, study the drawings carefully, and let its lessons gradually strengthen your understanding of the figure.

Charles Bargue and Jean-Leon Gerome: Drawing Course  — Gerald M. Ackerman and Graydon Parrish

Best for: Serious drawing students who want to develop accuracy, patience, and a refined eye.

The Bargue course is one of the great foundations of classical drawing education. Its plates give you a demanding but remarkably effective way to train your eye, measure carefully, simplify complex forms, and develop control. If you are willing to work slowly and attentively, this is a course that can change the level of your drawing. I always find the rich collection of master drawings in the book inspiring.