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Best Books for Self-Taught Artists
The Ultimate Guide
- By Julien Delagrange
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction: Self-Education at the Level of Art School
- 1. Overview Publications on Art History
- 2. Overview Publications on Modern and Contemporary Art
- 3. Manuals on How To Use Tools and Techniques
- 4. Publications on Specific Disciplines and Genres in Contemporary Art
- 5. Books on How to Make a Career as an Artist
Introduction: Self-Education at the Level of Art School
Becoming a successful self-taught artist is a challenging thing to do. Instead of having professors and teachers filter art and art history into ready-to-consume lessons and chapters, we must educate ourselves. It seems as if we cannot compete with the knowledge of artists who had the privilege of attending art school for three to five years.
However, the foundation of their knowledge—and the colleges and lessons at art school—are art books. Reference publications, to be more precise, are used across the globe, functioning as the art world‘s memory and foundation. So why wouldn’t we be able to educate ourselves using the same textbooks as they do at art school?
As a result, in this article, we will share all the reference publications you need to know—that are also being taught at art school—to become an art expert. As a self-taught artist, your credibility and knowledge will be tested when you are trying to climb to ladder of success in the art world, so it is crucial to master general art history first, contemporary art history, and also have some more in-depth knowledge about your artistic discipline or style.
However, we can not randomly start buying art books and reading them and expect to become experts. Instead, we need to have a plan—similar to an art school curriculum. The most effective way to become an artist through self-education using art books is by starting very broadly, creating a solid foundation of knowledge and frame of reference for art history before specializing in more specific eras and disciplines.
So this will be our guide and roadmap to discovering art and art history, becoming an expert, and having all the information to succeed in our artist studio and beyond:
- Overview Publications on Art History
- Overview Publications on Modern and Contemporary art
- Manuals on How To Use Tools and Techniques
- Publications on Specific Disciplines and Genres in Contemporary Art
- Books on How to Make a Career as an Artist
Now that we have set up our roadmap let’s dive into the selected reference publications. Please note that you don’t have to acquire all books at once. Art books can sometimes be rather expensive, but we have provided a varied selection encompassing different price points for every phase. I would also advise you to take notes along the way, approaching your self-education as an actual education. I’d like you to please write down what can be most beneficial for your artistic practice, create a brief and personalized overview of art history, and capture what inspires you to take it with you the next time you enter your studio.
PS: Make sure to read our article on How To Become A Successful Self-Taught Artist in 6 Steps next for more advice on self-taught success.
1. Overview Publications on Art History
In this phase, we want to master the canon of art history. We have provided a selection of three books, and just one of these three will be enough to cover this step.
The Story of Art
In my opinion, The Story of Art by EH Gombrich, published by Phaidon, is the best overview publication on general art history. It is a widely accepted and used reference publication, providing an expert and extensive take on art history while remaining readable. Further, the book also comes at a terrific price point, providing +1000 pages of art history at the price of a short novel.
A New History of Western Art—From Antiquity to the Present Day
Published by Hannibal books and written by my very own professor Koenraad Jonckheere, A New History of Art provides a refreshing take on art history, revisiting the canon as Gombrich presented it. At a slightly higher price point, this book is a genuinely critical take on Western Art and teaches the reader how to contextualize and question art throughout the ages.
Discover the current price at Amazon here.
The Art Book
Another excellent overview publication by Phaidon presented 600 of the most famous artists throughout art history. Phaidon has a renowned reputation when it comes to art book publishing, and with The Art Book, Phaidon’s editors compiled their knowledge in one overview publication at a terrific price point. A great first book on general art history, although I must add The Story of Art is more comprehensive than this colorfully revised edition.
2. Overview Publications on Modern and Contemporary Art
Now we have a good frame of reference concerning art history; it is time to take a closer look at recent art history. If we want to succeed in the contemporary era, it is of utmost importance to have a solid knowledge and understanding of how we got where we are today. Therefore, it is time to take on Modern and contemporary art with two must-have reference publications.
Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism
From more than one perspective, Art Since 1900 is a groundbreaking reference publication taking on art since 1900, year by year. Written and edited by the highly influential art historians Hal Foster, Rosalind Krauss, Yve-Alain Bois, Benjamin H.D. Buchloch, and David Joselit, Art Since 1900 is not your traditional overview publication but rethinks and redefines art historiography, compiling the most important events, artists, movements, and articles in a landmark study. Please note the publication is less accessible and more academic than an introductory publication to recent art history. It also comes at a higher price point but is an absolute must-read to elevate your knowledge and become a true expert.
Discover the current price at Amazon here.
Modern Art: A History from Impressionism to Today
In this article, we have already mentioned Phaidon’s excellent reputation. This is also the case for TASCHEN, partly thanks to this excellent reference publication on Modern Art. Here, we start before 1900 with Impressionism during the second half of the 19th century, discussing all Modern Art movements in-depth, including the transition from Modernism to the contemporary era. Almost 700 pages of art history for a very low price, making this publication a superb choice when it comes to value for money.
3. Manuals on How To Use Tools and Techniques
Now that we have a solid frame of reference on general art history and a more in-depth understanding of recent art history before we specialize any further in our self-education when it comes to art history, it is time to get to know our medium or artistic discipline better; what tools to use? What techniques are there, and how to practice them? In this selection, we will present two overview publications, an anthology of disciplines, and ideal books to start learning them.
The Artist’s Manual: The Definitive Art Sourcebook: Media, Materials, Tools, and Techniques
An overview book on techniques, media, materials, and tools is, in fact, a rare thing. As a result, The Artist’s Manual by Rob Pepper is a unique and excellent art book to discover technical know-how for your studio practice. Supported by the knowledge and experience of several professional artists, the publication encompasses various disciplines such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking, but also less convenient fields such as digital art or animation.
Akademie X: Lessons in Art + Life
The following publication is both ground-breaking and fun: an art academy experience in print with renowned artists such as Dan Graham, Marina Abramovic, or Olafur Eliasson as your tutors. Seriously, how cool is this? We enter the high-end art world with unique lessons by established figures in the art world, providing not only technical advice but also assignments, inspiration, tips for your daily practice, career pointers, and some terrific personal anecdotes. This art book is a must-have for artists who aim to go beyond the technical and the beautiful and understand the witty in art.
Of course, depending on your artistic discipline, you might want some more in-depth technical information. As a result, for your convenience, we have listed a brief anthology of the most important artistic disciplines and art books providing excellent technical advice.
- Oil painting: The Encyclopedia of Oil Techniques: A Unique Visual Directory of Oil Painting Techniques, with Guidance on How to Use Them
- Acrylic painting: Acrylics: Techniques and Tutorials for the Complete Beginner
- Drawing: Artist’s Drawing Techniques
- Printmaking: Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials & Process
- Collage: Collage Techniques: A Guide for Artists and Illustrators
- Sculpture: Sculpture: Technique, Form, Content
- Photography: The Art of Photography: A Personal Approach to Artistic Expression
4. Publications on Specific Disciplines and Genres in Contemporary Art
It is time to have our finger at the art world’s pulse and discover today’s art. With our solid frame of reference in (recent) art history and our technical know-how in the studio, we can now focus on specific disciplines, genres, movements, artists, and tendencies. Depending on our personal preferences and artistic practice, we can specialize in a particular niche in contemporary art. As a result, we have listed to most important publications with their finger at the pulse of the art world today.
Painting Today
From to so-called death of painting in 1968 to discussing painting’s most prolific artists from the past years up to this very day, Tony Godfrey’s Painting Today, published by Phaidon, is a must-read for any contemporary painter. The beautifully illustrated publication is inspiring, enlightening, and easy to read. Plus, it is a beautiful book to have on your coffee table. We also highly recommend the publications of Vitamin P.
Sculpture Today
The same concept and publisher as our previous title, this time, Judith Collins takes on sculpture today and also Installation Art. Sculpture changed radically and ingeniously since the 1960s, influenced by postmodern art movements and new media. As a result, Collins discusses the most influential artists and events that defined sculpture as we know it today. Another excellent publication for three-dimensional art is Vitam 3-D.
Discover the current price at Amazon here.
Vitamin D: New Perspectives in Drawing
Phaidon’s Vitamin series discussing new perspectives in various artistic disciplines, is a tremendous series to have your finger at the pulse of your medium. In Vitamin D—read: vitamin drawing—Emma Dexter examines the development and ongoing relevance of one of the purest and most relatable art forms there is; contemporary drawing.
Vitamin Ph: New Perspectives in Photography
This time, the Vitam series by Phaidon takes on fine art photography, presenting the most important and relevant photographers of the contemporary era. The Vitam series works with a unique selection process in which renowned curators, artists, and critics vote for the artists they believe should be included in the publication.
Discover the current price at Amazon here.
Vitamin C+: Collage in Contemporary Art
Since this year, there is also a publication from this series on collage titled Vitamin C+. An often overlooked art form with, in fact, an essential role in the contemporary era is examined by the editors of Phaidon, presenting over one hundred artists excelling in collage. A fascinating and, above all, inspiring compilation.
Video/Art: The First Fifty Years
Arguably, there could not have been a better expert on Video Art than Barbara London to write this overview publication on the relatively new art form of Video Art. Discover the most important video artists and the history and development of the medium by analyzing its first 50 years of art history.
Performance in Contemporary Art
Catherine Wood takes on the history of Performance Art in this compelling overview publication by Tate. Arguably, this book is the most up-to-date publication on performance art, discussing the most important figures in performance today and in the past—a must-read for any artist interested or occupied with Performance Art.
5. Books on How to Make a Career as an Artist
We conclude with a selection of books that can give you direction when making a career as an artist. Make sure to have a look at our extensive and free online resources on how to become a successful artist first:
- How To Succeed as an Artist: Everything You Need To Know
- 8 Mistakes Artists Make & How To Fix Them
- How To Become a Successful Self-Taught Artist in 6 Steps
- The Art Gallery: Everything You Need To Know
Everything for Art: How To Be a Successful Artist
As a platform that provides professional advice for artists, we have read almost all books on how to become successful as an artist, and the conclusive answer to which book is best is clear to us. Everything for Art: How To be A Successful Artist is not only the most comprehensive book providing helpful and industry-approved advice for artists, it is most likely also the most underrated publication. Two authors collaborated with an established artist to discuss the art world and the so-called art system and explain how you can use it to your advantage. From everything we have read so far, this book is the most accurate and the information aligns perfectly with our in-field experiences.
How To Become A Successful Artist
Magnus Resch’s How To Become A Successful Artist is perhaps the most famous and best-selling publication with advice for artists. Resch—a data specialist—provides an introduction of the art world, discussing the most important players of the art world, and assessing the art world’s reality with a data-driven approach. However, some aspects of the publication are problematic—for instance the often radical conclusions and too simplistic approach when it comes to the offered strategies for artists. Nevertheless, it remain one of the most important and pertinent publications for artists today.
How to Be an Artist
We conclude with the tremendously popular publication by arguably the most famous art critic today; Jerry Saltz’s How to Be an Artist. Saltz discusses more than just solid career advice. He examines what it means to be an artist, celebrating our inexhaustible passion for art.
Last Updated on January 2, 2024
Julien Delagrange
Julien Delagrange (b. 1994, BE) is an art historian, contemporary artist, and the director of CAI and CAI Gallery. Previously, Delagrange has worked for the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels, the Jan Vercruysse Foundation, and the Ghent University Library. His artistic practice and written art criticism are strongly intertwined, examining contemporary art in search of new perspectives in the art world.
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