Best Drawing Books of 2025

The Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist by Stephen Rogers Peck is an exceptional guide for students of figure drawing. It covers various topics such as bones, muscles, surface anatomy, proportion, equilibrium, and locomotion. Additionally, the book features unique sections on anatomy from birth to old age, types of human physique, racial anatomy, and facial expressions. The book is well-organized and illustrated with almost a thousand excellent factual three-dimensional renderings. Overall, it is an exhaustive but interesting treatise that makes it the perfect reference book for artists of all levels.

Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form by Eliot Goldfinger is a comprehensive guide on the anatomy of the human figure. This book is a must-have for artists who want to understand human form and express it in their work. Goldfinger presents a single reference that captures everything artists need in one convenient volume, featuring hundreds of photos and illustrations. The book includes unique presentations of surface structures, cross-sections, and information on each structure is placed on facing pages for ease of reference. The artistic development of basic forms is also covered, helping to place the details of anatomy within the overall context of the figure. This book is sure to become the standard reference in the field of figure drawing guides.

Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures is a two-volume collection of legendary lectures from Walt Stanchfield, a long-time Disney animator who helped bring about a new golden age of Disney animation. These teachings influenced many talented artists, including Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter. The book is packed with illustrations from top animators like Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter, providing in-depth advice and instruction on bringing characters to life. It is an essential tutorial for students and a vital refresher for fine artists and film professionals.

Drawing Essentials: A Complete Guide to Drawing is a comprehensive book that covers all aspects of drawing, from basic to advanced levels. The author, Deborah Rockman, emphasizes the importance of developing observational skills, critical thinking, technical refinement, and knowledge of materials. The book is richly illustrated with high-quality images that are helpful for understanding the concepts. The author's approach to teaching art-making is instructive and academic, making it an excellent resource for students and artists alike. Overall, Drawing Essentials is a great addition to any artist's library.

The 10th anniversary edition of FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing is a must-have for artists who want to bring their artwork to life. The book is packed with powerfully drawn examples and features an all-new section on the "FORCE blob," along with dozens of fresh illustrations. The book's companion App contains nearly 50 videos that show the author creating drawings and discussing his process. The updated version also includes many new drawings and color illustrations. Whether you're an illustrator, animator, comic book artist, or student, this book will teach you how to use rhythm, shape, and line to bring out the life in any subject.

Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form is a comprehensive reference guide that provides in-depth knowledge on the anatomy of commonly depicted animals. With over 500 original drawings and 70 photographs, this book is an essential resource for painters, sculptors, and illustrators who use animal imagery in their work. Goldfinger covers the anatomy of both common and wild species, including their muscles, bones, and overall body structure. The book offers a new and innovative section on the basic body plan of four-legged animals, making it unique and valuable. Overall, Animal Anatomy for Artists is a definitive reference work that every artist who depicts animals in their art should have.

The Complete Guide to Perspective Drawing is a comprehensive guide that offers a step-by-step approach for beginners and advanced students to draw in one-point through six-point perspective. The book provides clear illustrations with straightforward text, making it easy to use without requiring knowledge of algebra or geometry. The author, Craig Attebery, is a professional illustrator who has worked for advertising agencies, science books, and the entertainment industry. This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their traditional drawing skills and accurately communicate their ideas on paper.

Sketching User Experiences by Bill Buxton is a must-read for designers, usability specialists, product managers, and business executives. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding design and design thinking to achieve success with new products and systems. Buxton's approach is holistic, balancing usability and engineering excellence with an investment in sketching and ideation. The book is grounded in both practice and scientific research, offering new techniques and breathing new life into user experience design. Overall, Sketching User Experiences is a valuable resource that encourages informed design and a reflection of societal values.

The FORCE Drawing Human Anatomy is the latest addition to Michael Mattesi’s Force Drawing series, which explores the different facets of motion and the human body. The book emphasizes the function of each body part and how gravity affects the aesthetics and muscle form in different poses. It is divided into chapters based on different body parts, making it easy for readers to focus on mastering one part at a time. The book's detailed visual instructions, color-coded images, and step-by-step diagrams make it easy to follow and understand. Overall, this book is a must-have for artists looking to create anatomically accurate characters in both stillness and motion.

This book titled "Sketching Interiors at the Speed of Thought" is a comprehensive guide to develop skills for quick perspective sketches. It covers a wide range of elements including doors, windows, stairs, furnishings, and more advanced topics like shade, shadowing, and scene composition. The book also includes interactive digital content and a Sketching Gallery showcasing the work of practitioners. This book is a must-have for students and professionals in interior design, garden design, and soft furnishings. The step-by-step techniques and exercises make it easy to learn and apply. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills in ideation and client communication.