Essential Art Books

Order my graphic novel Green Monk via Amazon a.co/gGyQhK6
A quick look at my favorite art books.
The Top Four:
Figure Drawing, Design and Invention -- Michael Hampton www.figuredrawing.info/
How To Draw -- Scott Robertson cargocollective.com/drawthrough
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain -- Betty Edwards drawright.com/
Color and Light -- James Gurney jamesgurney.com/site/
Honorable Mentions:
Design Basics -- David A. Lauer and Stephen Pentak
Memory Drawing, Perceptual Training and Recall -- Darren R. Rousar www.studiorousar.com/
Strength Training Anatomy -- Frederic Delavier
DK Visual reference books www.dk.com/us/
I'll do another post soon just focusing on my favorite storytelling books.
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website: brandondayton.com

[@sbinex]

even books about body building skip leg day...

[@BrandonDayton]

Legit laughed out loud at this.

[@sbinex]

Brandon Dayton nice! can't believe no one said it before me 😂

[@markdelgado1029]

lol. we got a Dom Mazzeti

[@CampingforCool41]

I would also recommend "Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators". You don't have to be an animator to get a lot of value out of the book- I find that life drawing books focus on the nitty gritty details of anatomy, but not enough on showing how to make lively and exaggerated life drawings (In other words, how to make life drawings not be so stiff). "Force" is not a book for learning anatomy, but great if you know basic anatomy and want to learn how give your life drawings...well, life. I would also recommend "Framed Ink", a great book for learning composition techniques specifically for storytelling. Great if you are interested in storyboarding or creating comics or story-driven illustrations. As for "Art of" books, Dreamworks has some of my favorite (although I'm biased because Nico Marlet is one of my favorite character designers and he's done a lot for Dreamworks), specifically the Kung Fu Panda (1-3), How to Train Your Dragon (1-2), and the Croods all have fantastic character designs and environment art.

[@BrandonDayton]

Those are all great recommendations. Force is fantastic and I love Framed Ink. You can't go wrong with Nico Marlet.

[@strongindependentblackwoma1887]

I have a question, is Force: that book you mentioned AND, Force: The Key to Capturing Life Through Drawing, the same or very similar?, i'm confused because aparently they are basically the same but with other title lol.

[@jazw4649]

I bought the Michael Mattesi Force series and didn't find them that helpful

[@TheEdM3]

Your art is great and so are your videos!! keep it up! This book list is just what I was looking for! You are very inspiring!

[@yanivkorobkin7512]

this is 1 of the best book collections i saw so far. thanks for sharing it :)

[@barbarahumph7784]

Thank You Brandon for making a very helpful informative video.

[@dudeguy3945]

Thank you for the great recommendations. I have been buying books on how to draw and shade and all that and also how to draw letters and lettering. I hadn't come a cross most of these so I'll check them out. Thank you.

[@BrandonDayton]

Let me know what you think!

[@learnartwithme3766]

Hampton's book is literally impossible to get in the UK, unless you buy from America and even then you don't know whether it's an old printing or not.

[@sabinaeinstein]

Thanks a lot for making the video, that's what I was looking for!

[@khatzeye]

Great video! I just started the Betty Edwards book a few days ago and was struggling trying to find a decent anatomy book to go with it. Ended up ordering the Michael Hampton book. Thanks so much!

[@BrandonDayton]

I'd love to hear what your experience is like. Best of Luck.

[@thanatos454]

How did the Michael Hampton book work out for you?

[@sparxe123]

Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@MFSG67]

Thank you for the straight forward recommendations 👍👍👍

[@lanigirognithemos]

Strength training anatomy was a treasure I just happened to come across at the university's book store. It nitro boosted my art skills massively and is one of my best ever books on both anatomy and training I would consider it a must have. My second most favorite book is human anatomy for artists by Eliot Goldfinger. Use that with Strength training anatomy and you would never need anything else. Another very good book is dynamic figure drawing by Burne Hogarth. It makes you think in basic shapes. And lots more books.

[@BrandonDayton]

Good recommendations. Thanks!

[@mohamadparadox2453]

the book by fredric delaiver?

[@lanigirognithemos]

@@mohamadparadox2453 yes.

[@keithr.4645]

Thanks Brandon! Much appreciated.

[@dagrosafinearts]

Thanks for the recommendations! I have Color & Light, as well as Imaginative Realism by James Gurney. I would also recommend anything by Andrew Loomis. I had a book by him when I was younger that I either lost, or gave to someone and never got it back, and now I am kicking myself for doing that.

[@orikellner4601]

Loomis books are being reprinted, you can order these now. I have two of them : Figure drawing for all its worth and Creative Illustration and I sometimes still refer to them so they are handy to have.

[@kingtigerbooks1162]

Great video from a wonderful channel. Art books have provided me a much-needed escape from real life. I have my easy chair set up with a desk, a lamp, a blanket and a cup of coffee. I spent many hours with dragons, unicorns, space battles, pixies, dark forests and now with my National Geographic books, the vast undersea world of the coral reefs. My art books are the best investments I ever made. My 3 favorite art books, all available from amazon, are: - Fantasy Art Paintings by Mike Hoffman - Infinite Worlds by Vincent DiFate - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy 1 by Tim Gibson

[@DrAdnan]

This was helpful, thanks!

[@aenicolas]

Thanks for sharing, these look great (I especially love Scott Robertson's approach to teaching). The only one I've been really working on as a beginner is the one from Betty Edwards and I must say, for someone who is really intellectual/left brain like me, it's a real struggle to have the patience to do the exercises. Although I manage to enjoy drawing volumes and can spend 30 minutes or more shading them with charcoal, it's been really painful to do the right brain exercises. I suppose I'm not alone in this situation, what are others' experiences with this book?

[@BrandonDayton]

The Betty Edwards book is the most challenging of the bunch, but the exercises there will give you the best bang for your buck. Observational drawing is the THE most important skill you can learn. Everything else is easier after.

[@teriyaki_chicken]

Good video, looking forward to checking these out

[@THUNGUNS]

3:40 good to know i'm studying these books correctly :3

[@BrandonDayton]

You're on your way then!

[@maxi_mage]

I am so glad that many of the books on your essential lists are some I already own. Would you think Bridgman and Loomis would be good alternatives to Hampton?

[@Import_success]

Yes indeed but Bridgman can be abut advanced for beginners Hampton is more friendly for all especially beginners

[@kyounokuma]

Great video. Thank you.

[@TheBassplayah]

I also recommend ""The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron....very spiritual way of maintain a constructive good attitude...

[@NanenMauricio]

Very helpful! Thanks a lot

[@publicopinion3596]

Thanks alot for sharing some knowledge:)

[@marinasantana8676]

This video was really helpful! thank u :)

[@masuralien487]

Really good video:D helped me a lot

[@yubrajsharma7538]

What would you say about "Head and figure drawing" by Jack Hamn?

[@blackjack-ks8zn]

I need help, I've got my porportions and perspective quite well but my art looks weird. I've drawn my lines in one strokes but its still weird, could you help me?

[@animalmother18]

Stannis Baratheon.. artistic version lol

[@mrfrankie5479]

What boops would you recommend for simple pencil drawings?

[@drendelous]

I am a pure beginner. What books should I consider to start with? Thank you for the channel.

[@BrandonDayton]

These ones are fantastic for beginners. If I had to recommend one though, it would be "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" Completing that will make you ready for any of the rest.

[@brenthill2656]

This is SO helpful! Especially the anatomy book! I've been searching for something like it for years without luck! Thanks! Now I just need to save my money!

[@BrandonDayton]

awesome. I think you'll like it.

[@nazranaasfaque4383]

Figure drawing design and invention i little expensive in my country are there any alternative option?

[@yanca6830]

awesome!!!

[@AndreiBlanda]

Thank you.

[@nadimchreide2015]

I want to ask you , do you have a book for drawing cloth folds, material and textures? And for Coloring basics and light direction on characters and shading and how person can color the object to show that its metal and like these stuff? Thanks

[@BrandonDayton]

I know there's a book out there on the subject that I remember flipping through once. I've read some sections of books that reference how to draw folds, but the source escapes me. Maybe a source for a future video. It's a challenging topic. I spent lots of time trying to figure it out. As for rendering, honestly I'm not the best at this stuff. The best I can do is refer you to the James Gurney. At the very least that will get you pointed in the right direction.

[@gvoid]

Nice recommendations

[@Julian.maurice.Ashford]

Good video thank you

[@Haleymrn]

What can you recommend for drawing head that improves our memory so we can draw from imagination?

[@RaineNWhispers]

In pinterest are interesting pins about head angles and that thing you should check it some time, try to draw with reference and from real life are good studies, even if you don't like anime/manga I recommend to watch Akahito Yoshitomi's heads practice,this things help me a lot when i was struggling at it,wish it helps you too :)

[@fishwale1407]

What use a mike plz

[@danteeddy9137]

What age did you start drawing?

[@mariaalejacardozoenglish4job]

Great video 👍👍👍

[@anonymous4525]

Thks for Sharing. You should have added some affiliate links to amazon. I would have bought some of them (and you would have receiving a well earned comission). No mention of Scott McCloud or Will Eisner books ? (Oups didnt see the storytelling mention sorry nvm)

[@BrandonDayton]

It wouldn't be bad to earn a little extra revenue, but I'm kinda anti-Amazon (and honestly, with 800 subs it wouldn't be that much revenue). I'll do another series on storytelling at some point. I like McCloud, but I honestly didn't dig Eisner's book. Not sure why.

[@purp3981]

800 views huh.. How do u feel now

[@mrm0nty550]

Any essential materials and tools you would recommend for black and white rendering and sketching?

[@CaptainWumbo]

Mr M0nty Maybe Guptil's rendering in pen and ink.

[@M_Emeritz]

Hey Brandon! Love Green Monk, and I've really been enjoying these videos. One thing I've noticed though: it sounds like what you're recording with is capturing stereo, but sometimes it favors one side over the other, making it very uncomfortable to listen to on headphones. Not the end of the world, but if you want a quick fix for that, there might be a way to export the video with mono audio. Then it would mix the stereo tracks into one. Hope this reaches you well, and doesn't come off nitpicky. Just a heads up. :) Also, great book recommendations! Some I hadn't heard of, but they're in my Amazon list now. I'm a hoarder when it comes to art-related stuff and books! :D

[@BrandonDayton]

This is great to know. Not sure why it's coming out like that, but mixing it down to one track seems like a good idea. Thanks!

[@BrandonDayton]

Okay. I've started to mix down to mono. I'm a couple of months ahead on content, so it might take awhile before you see the change. Thanks again for the thought.

[@M_Emeritz]

Awesome! Glad I could help. :)

[@alexjordon156]

Wish could borrow.. 😅

[@Lydomina]

I never got how exactly you're supposed to use the first half of "Color and Light" since it's not really a "how to" like the Hampton and Robertson stuff(which Gurney mentions at the start of the book). It's almost like an encyclopedia of Gurney's case studies, which is neat to look at, but I don't really know how to apply it. He kind of just tells you "things exist" and that's about it.

[@BrandonDayton]

I get where you're coming from. Not really a workbook, but it still has a big effect on how I approach color. His thoughts on gamut were a game changer for me. I did a video about it, if you're interested to see how I apply his ideas practically: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIKTfXmhmtinf6M

[@Lydomina]

Yeah, I saw and enjoyed it, thanks :). To be honest I almost completely gave up on the book until I got to that part because I couldn't figure out how to learn from it. I was hoping for more practical knowledge like at the start where he says a black shirt in the light can be just as bright as a white shirt in the shadow, I feel like little things like that are stuff you can start experimenting with right away.

[@sunnyn-pilly5497]

I cant hear the audio for this video:(

[@cliffdariff74]

The best is "Natural Way to Draw" by Nicolaides... Written around 1925.

[@damianogiolitti3416]

Best books are made by DK "illustrated encyclopedia" real world references in high quality with detailed descriptions. Perfect for concept artists

[@sergeantmalleo3128]

What books would you recommend for shadows and shading? I would like a book that goes into detail about how to do it because everytime I look it up on the Internet I get simple versions about it. I want to get better at shadows. Also what books would you recommend for backgrounds as well. I have a reall hard time drawing backgrounds. I don't know if you will answer but I just wanted to know. I want to make my art better and you know alot about art. So I decided to ask you this.

[@BrandonDayton]

Fantastic questions. In regards to rendering: I can't think of a book in particular, but I would find any videos/blog posts by Sam Nielson. If you can take one of his online classes, it would be even better. I can't think of anyone else that knows more about rendering and lighting than he does. I know he's been working on a book too. Not sure if he's finished it yet. As far as backgrounds are concerned, I really don't know. My vid on composition might be helpful though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3qTZaeJpap1lbs

[@sergeantmalleo3128]

Brandon Dayton Thank you I will look into him and the video.

[@thelastpencilstudio]

I wouldn't think of them as drawing 'backgrounds' but treat it more like environment design and composition. You shouldn't really think of your background as a separate entity but rather a part of the whole that can have an impact on the outcome of the entire image. As for shadows and shading, gnomon workshop has a series of videos by Scott Robertson called how to render... www.thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/how-to-render-matte-surfaces-1. Gnomon workshop cost money but you might be able to find the dvd for sale somewhere. Scott also has a book called how to render which has the same info in it. I just prefer a video format if I can get it. Anyhow I hope that helps, good luck.

[@everythingshivers]

For shading check out “Dynamic Light And Shade” by Burne Hogarth.

[@yvj9661]

"how to render" by scott robertson maybe, i've never read it though

[@gian2ooo]

thank youu

[@angeliqueroux3017]

What do you think about the Reilly method?

[@BrandonDayton]

Not familiar with it. Do you have a link?

[@angeliqueroux3017]

Brandon Dayton Jeff Watts teaches his version of the Reilly method and I’m hooked (he’s on KZbin). I found a pdf somewhere, but don’t remember where. If you inbox your email I’ll send it to you - if you want. It’s a lineage of training in art, of sorts. Frank Reilly’s abstraction describes rhythms on how to form the figure and head. I suppose it’s comparable to Andrew Loomis’ abstraction. It affects the way we think about design and such.

[@laifu6317]

Slightly off topic but are you planning on opening up your mentorship again? I really appreciated your time and would sign up again if you were offering.

[@BrandonDayton]

I'd like to at some point. I really enjoy it. but I don't think it'll be anytime soon. I'm too limited on my time right now to fit it in.

[@ToquzOghuzKhaganatekhan]

interesting books

[@ajinomeen54]

PERSPECTIVE MADE EASY BY Ernest R. Norling - AUDIOBOOK ESPAÑOL COMPLETO kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJLaeKGOn9GNjc0&lc=UgzyXs5HyBn3KAjPoc14AaABAg

[@Jupiter86947]

Are these books available online?

[@dsangel4135]

Yes.

[@gillettematch3188]

i recently brought 29 books of how to draw manga, 1 book about fantasy worlds and 1 books of superheroes anatomy.

[@Awkward232]

what about andrew loomis?

[@kayaeki]

He good

[@strongindependentblackwoma1887]

for some reason i think people tend to not recommend his books because they are old :( He has various type of drawing books, for example "fun with a pencil", is just that....having fun with a pencil ^^, won't teach you about anatomy :/

[@voxx7248]

Laws guide to nature drawing and journaling ? Art book by DK ?

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks for the recs. Laws guide looks cool.

[@voxx7248]

Ok thanks for replying

[@uncletrick1]

Why does everyone skip leg day? 😉

[@gameplaysongs360]

Voice is not clear

[@mohamedsadiq4199]

I thought my right ear phone gone

[@yasuewho]

Bizarre. It's like the sound portion of this video file is corrupted. It sounds like you're under water and you're barely audible. At first I thought it was me, but then I tested a bunch of other videos.

[@Ianuarius]

hello there left ear

[@sgtpepper91]

I wouldn't say at all that google images is a good reference source

[@protyush.ranjan7759]

please mention book name clearly.

[@BrandonDayton]

Sorry if I didn't speak clearly. All books are listed in the description.

[@terokmaximus6841]

um..guys anyone have torrent link for this..?

[@Sjimmijim]

Buy the book

[@storyspice974]

The PDF is free, but buying is still Important

[@terokmaximus6841]

nevermind..i got it..if anyone want let me know

[@publicopinion3596]

@@terokmaximus6841 what's the torrent or site I could go to?

[@terokmaximus6841]

@@publicopinion3596 oh it was in my old phone mate.. I don't have it now.. Sorry :/

[@Labirinto.]

My right ear on this video: 🔇🔕😶

[@sgtpepper91]

he only talks with the right side of his mouth remarkable

[@please.stop.coping]

There's a bunch of rambling on the start of the new drawing on the right side of the brain. Feel free to skip most of it, the tldr is simple: drawing is learnable, its not magic. People are stupid and make artist look like mystical beings. this basic concept was repeated for more than 6 pages all said in different ways. Its still a great book though, but not sure about the organization. edit: oh my fucking god. I wanna bash my head. The person who wrote this really wanted you to be convinced about the difference of both hemispheres of the brain. 60+ pages of it all saying the same thing, as if trying to convince a judicial authority, presenting peer reviews and studies, then narratives then empirical proofs, then quotes then dramas. There are too much unnecessary information displayed, most of these writings can easily be explained in one article. There's no good reason to repeat everything as he present new information as if its a scientific article.

[@arihaviv8510]

Betty Edwards...a few useful exercises but most of the book (including the title...) will turn off anyone who is educated in science

[@strongindependentblackwoma1887]

What about "most overrated drawing books" ?, i mean they might be GOOD and maybe famous ....but there are others with similar with better content.

[@Adulous]

They're overrated because they are good

[@aledmb]

how to draw is outdated and kind of useless today... unless you don't have access to a computer or even a simple tablet.