Art Reference books for Illustrators and Animators (71 books)

Art Reference books for Illustrators and Animators

Great books for artists, animators, illustrators, cartoonists, etc.

PLEASE ONLY ADD ART BOOKS PEOPLE....sheesh....

1	Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon (Goodreads Author) (Visual Art) 3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 avg rating — 8,323 ratings score: 500, and 5 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Animation by Walt Disney Company 4.68 of 5 stars 4.68 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 274, and 3 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures by Walt Stanchfield 4.67 of 5 stars 4.67 avg rating — 79 ratings score: 264, and 3 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators by Richard Williams 4.47 of 5 stars 4.47 avg rating — 1,197 ratings score: 239, and 3 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Color & How to Use It: Find out what color is, how it works, and how to make it work for you in your paintings by William F. Powell 3.33 of 5 stars 3.33 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	John Howe Fantasy Art Workshop by John Howe 4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 avg rating — 385 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	The Fantasy Illustrator's Technique Book: From Creating Characters To Selling Your Work, Learn The Skills Of The Professional Fantasy Artist by Gary A. Lippincott 3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Humongous Book of Cartooning by Christopher Hart 4.54 of 5 stars 4.54 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Design by Walt Disney Company 4.68 of 5 stars 4.68 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 193, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Cartoonist's Big Book of Drawing Animals by Christopher Hart 3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 170, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Cartooning the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm 4.35 of 5 stars 4.35 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 170, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Force: Animal Drawing: Animal Locomotion and Design Concepts for Animators by Michael D. Mattesi 4.56 of 5 stars 4.56 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 167, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators by Michael D. Mattesi 4.45 of 5 stars 4.45 avg rating — 89 ratings score: 165, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures by Walt Stanchfield 4.32 of 5 stars 4.32 avg rating — 400 ratings score: 157, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist by James Gurney 4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 avg rating — 780 ratings score: 151, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis 4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 avg rating — 2,560 ratings score: 150, and 2 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Art of Isis Sousa & Guests: Fantasy Digital Painting Techniques & Video Lectures by Isis Sousa (Goodreads Author) 5.0 of 5 stars 5.00 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell 4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 avg rating — 10,550 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair 4.52 of 5 stars 4.52 avg rating — 97 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	ROY G. BIV: An Exceedingly Surprising Book About Color by Jude Stewart (Goodreads Author) 0.0 of 5 stars 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Colored Pencils by Morrel Wise 3.11 of 5 stars 3.11 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt 4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 avg rating — 3,859 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Ackermann's Costume Plates by Rudolph Ackermann 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Essential Rumi by Rumi 4.42 of 5 stars 4.42 avg rating — 15,384 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present by Howard Zinn 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 51,239 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Cartooning: Animation 1 with Preston Blair: Learn to animate cartoons step by step by Preston Blair 4.41 of 5 stars 4.41 avg rating — 27 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Character Animation Crash Course! [With CDROM] by Eric Goldberg 4.56 of 5 stars 4.56 avg rating — 41 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin 4.43 of 5 stars 4.43 avg rating — 414,929 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Art of Perspective: The Ultimate Guide for Artists in Every Medium by Philip W. Metzger 4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 avg rating — 24 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cartooning But Were Afraid to Draw by Christopher Hart 3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Creative Illustration by Andrew Loomis (Illustrations) 4.55 of 5 stars 4.55 avg rating — 105 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Art Spirit by Robert Henri 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 4,006 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Drawing the Head and Hands by Andrew Loomis 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 611 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Layout & Background by Walt Disney Company (Creator) 4.62 of 5 stars 4.62 avg rating — 26 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Color: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors by Betty Edwards 3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 avg rating — 301 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Alive Character Design: For Games, Animation and Film: For Games, Animation & Film by Haitao Su 4.62 of 5 stars 4.62 avg rating — 8 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation by Francis Glebas 4.39 of 5 stars 4.39 avg rating — 56 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas 4.42 of 5 stars 4.42 avg rating — 1,168 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation by Hans Bacher 4.35 of 5 stars 4.35 avg rating — 68 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter by James Gurney 4.49 of 5 stars 4.49 avg rating — 455 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Anatomy: A Complete Guide for Artists by Joseph Sheppard 4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Reinventing Comics: How Imagination and Technology Are Revolutionizing an Art Form by Scott McCloud 3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 avg rating — 1,397 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics by Freddie E. Williams II 4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 avg rating — 58 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The DC Comics Guide to Coloring and Lettering Comics by Mark Chiarello 4.14 of 5 stars 4.14 avg rating — 43 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics by Dennis O'Neil 3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 avg rating — 246 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics by Klaus Janson 3.72 of 5 stars 3.72 avg rating — 54 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Animator's Workbook: Step-By-Step Techniques of Drawn Animation by Tony White 3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Big Book of Cartooning by Bruce Blitz 3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Bold Visions: The Digital Painting Bible for Fantasy and Science-Fiction Artists by Gary Tonge 3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Setting the Scene: The Art & Evolution of Animation Layout by Fraser MacLean 4.62 of 5 stars 4.62 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Drawing Scenery: Seascapes and Landscapes by Jack Hamm 4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 avg rating — 41 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	How to Draw Animals by Jack Hamm 4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 avg rating — 112 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Figure Drawing: Design And Invention by Michael Hampton 4.71 of 5 stars 4.71 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Expressive Anatomy for Comics and Narrative: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist by Will Eisner 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative by Will Eisner 4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 avg rating — 484 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Making Faces: Drawing Expressions for Comics and Cartoons by 8fish 3.68 of 5 stars 3.68 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	The Art of Animation Drawing by Don Bluth 4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Don Bluth's Art of Storyboard by Don Bluth 4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Force: Character Design from Life Drawing by Michael D. Mattesi 4.85 of 5 stars 4.85 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Creative Character Design by Bryan Tillman 3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 63, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Artist's Complete Guide to Facial Expression by Gary Faigin 4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 avg rating — 684 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life: Over 1,000 Illustrations by George B. Bridgman 4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 avg rating — 584 ratings score: 60, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Jessica Abel 4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 avg rating — 394 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Designing Disney by John Hench 4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 avg rating — 154 ratings score: 56, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Story by Walt Disney Company 4.37 of 5 stars 4.37 avg rating — 83 ratings score: 55, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm 3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 avg rating — 1,438 ratings score: 53, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way by Stan Lee 3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 avg rating — 1,872 ratings score: 52, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud 4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 avg rating — 2,659 ratings score: 51, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Comics and Sequential Art: Principles and Practices from the Legendary Cartoonist by Will Eisner 4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 avg rating — 1,507 ratings score: 50, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers by Danny Gregory (Goodreads Author) 3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 avg rating — 3,815 ratings score: 49, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud 4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 avg rating — 25,429 ratings score: 48, and 1 person voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars