The Best Art Books - Asking Pros

Thanks to Skillshare for sponsoring this video! Signup now to get a 2-month free trial to any course on Skillshare’s platform - skl.sh/proko3
The final episode to Asking Pros 2019 is here! Pro artists give their recommendations for instructional art books that they find useful and talk about the reasons you should consider adding their favorites to your library. You might already be familiar with some of these titles if you’ve been listening to the Draftsmen podcast, but there’s a lot of new material you should also check out.
Asking Pros Season 1:
What Holds Back Beginner Artists - Asking Pros: • What Holds Back Beginn...
Drawing Advice for Students - Asking Pros: • Drawing Advice for Stu...
Best Drawing Exercises - Asking Pros: • Best Drawing Exercises...
Daily Routine of Successful Artists - Asking Pros: • Daily Routine of Succe...
6 Pro Artists Sketch From Imagination: • 6 Pro Artists Sketch F...
Asking Pros Season 2:
Struggling with Motivation as an Artist - Asking Pros - • Struggling with Motiva...
What’s the Hardest Thing about Being a Pro? - Asking Pros - • What’s the Hardest Thi...
Tips on Breaking into the Art Industry - Asking Pros - • Tips on Breaking into ...
Best Advice for New Artists - Asking Pros - • Best Advice for New Ar...
Getting Your First Art Job - Asking Pros - • Getting Your First Art...
Biggest Artistic Style Influencers - Asking Pros - • Biggest Artistic Style...
Do You Need an Art Mentor? - Asking Pros - • Do You Need an Art Men...
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Thank you to all the artists that participated:
Pascal Campion: / pascalcampionart
Bobby Chiu: / digitalbobert
Sean Galloway: / seangallowayart
T.J. Geisen: / geist.rock.art
Erik Gist: www.erikgist.com/
Sanford Greene: / sanfordgreene
Brian Haberlin: experienceanomaly.com/
Peter Han: / peterhanstyle
Cutter Hays: www.cutterhays.com/
Eliza Ivanova: / eleeza
Karl Kopinski: / karlkopinski
Colin Lawler: www.colinlawler.com/
Vanessa Lemen: vanessalemenart.com/
Sean Andrew Murray: seanandrewmurray.com/
Lucio Parrillo: / lucio_parrillo_art
Stephen Silver: www.silvertoons.com/
William Stout: www.williamstout.com/
Philip Tan: / philiptanart
Marshall Vandruff: www.marshallart.com/
Chrissie Zullo: / chrissiezullo
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#artbooks #comiccon #artindustry
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ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor | Producer
Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com)
Script - Jesse Martel (jessemartel.com), Stan Prokopenko, Sean Ramsey, Marshall Vandruff
Production Assistance - Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com)
Additional Artwork - Thomas Kleinberger (thomaskleinberger.blogspot.co...., Alexander Lee (alexanderlee1.carbonmade.com/)
Editing - Dzmitry Tsydzik (white-agency.com) ,Sean Ramsey, Stan Prokopenko
3D Animation - Jijo Sujathan, Sean Ramsey
3D Modeling - Marc Felico Camacho
3D Rigging - Ibai Fernandez
Voice Actors - Stan Prokopenko
Models - Anthony Narsis, DeAngelo Townsell, Laura Dasi, Mallory Ownbey, Ryan Moore
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Sound Effects - freesfx.co.uk, sonniss.com

[@ProkoTV]

What other questions should I ask artists for next year's Comic Con?

[@Germania9]

I'm 40 years old but still wanna be a pro artists/animator. Is it never too late to start break into the industry at 40?

[@LocalRagamuffin]

What was your first big breakthrough into your industry?

[@ButteredSeaCow]

If you woke up tomorrow having lost all of your drawing/painting ability and had to learn it all over again, what would the process look like?

[@carlosroo5460]

#1 How do you self critique your work? #2 How do you know what studies to prioritize when you have so many things to work on your art? #3 How do you relearn to love art and drawing when is becoming more of an obligation than a passion?

[@Thollis1987]

What’s your comic/cartoon/anime crush? And are you marvel or dc fan?

[@P4MI]

1. How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way 2. Figure Drawing for All it's Worth (Also Other Loomis Books) 3. Creative Illustration 4. George Bridgman 5. The Human Figure 6. The Silver Way 7. Drawing Cutting Edge Comics 8. Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist 9. Drawing Dynamic Comics 10. The Art of Comic Book Inking 11. Color and Light 12. Oil Painting Techniques and Materials 13. Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters 14. The Animators Survival Kit 15. STORY 16. Framed Ink 17. Framed Perspective 18. Understanding Comics 19. Designing Characters and Creatures 20. Imagine FX Magazine 21. The Dynamic Bible 22. How to Draw - Scott Robertson 23. Step By Step Graphics Magazine

[@BlueNightZX]

thank you sir

[@Thollis1987]

Thank you are awesome 👏

[@trashking3035]

THANK YOU!!!

[@mariumahmad3355]

Thankyouuuu

[@Durtly]

...ok, ill just go over and copy paste this into amazon

[@ithinklikeawesome]

The amount of people recommending proko for artist is a testament to how influencial and SOLID these tutorials are. Thank you proko for existing for artist plebs like myself.

[@niltonkenneph3538]

Both of us think the same way then. Been learning English for 15 months now and one of the first YT channels I had an urge to go watch to when I began to understand Eng was Proko's. Before that I could only rely on subs. Proko's channel is one of my top 5 best ART channels out there Imao.

[@niltonkenneph3538]

My TOP 5(6) btw is like: Mohammed Agbadi Adam Duff Lucid Pixel ModernDayJames Proko Marc Brunet Dan Beardshaw

[@JacySanjunXiao]

@@niltonkenneph3538 mostly all artist in your list had good techniques and methods? Because I wanted to study those techniques to improve my art mostly I draw real, comics and manga arts (btw I know proko has good techniques too)

[@renreef5697]

I am SO GLAD someone referenced James gurney's colour and light, I was waiting for it lmao. Best art book out there for any and every painter. Period.

[@Grunk369]

That was Karl kopenski, a phenomenal painter and draftsman in his own right. I’d recommend checking out some of his work

[@tejeraillustrator3810]

Im thinking about gifting it to myself for christmas!

[@Asif_Chaudhary.]

Is it good for beginners??

[@Asif_Chaudhary.]

@@tejeraillustrator3810 LoL

[@tejeraillustrator3810]

@@Asif_Chaudhary. nope

[@reybalderstone]

When he said ‘infinite endurance’ I felt that

[@Germania9]

Additional recommendation: Figure Drawing: Design and Invention by Michael Hampton Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier Anatomy by Joseph Sheppard.

[@a.b.1870]

I still don't understand why not many people recommend Hampton's book? It was the first book ever that made it click for me in terms of actually starting to understand anatomy.

[@luminosity01]

@@a.b.1870 hampton's is more modern, but what i noticed that his gestures is very similar to vilppus' style

[@tonyg196]

@@luminosity01 he's mentioned in one of his KZbin comments section(he has a KZbin channel) that he studied from glenn vilppu.

[@blackdragoncomics3186]

13:42 I love how he angles the lines on the tigers fur. it seems to make you focus on his face and seem more intimidating

[@phoenixtv3664]

Understanding Comics is one the greatest books I've every read. Anyone who wants to get into comics, and how to have a great story, that is the first book you should read.

[@kwisatzhaderach1458]

This was a fantastic group of interviews. Loved it

[@sweatybabypowderhands843]

I'm glad so many people recommended loomis. I've been reading a bit of loomis and the books are such a joy. As a beginner artist it hasn't been to intimitating yet but I've still a lot of loomis books to go through.

[@astrol4b]

Summary: Loomis, Bridgeman and... Proko 😀

[@Thollis1987]

Don’t forget how to draw the marvel way!

[@astrol4b]

@@Thollis1987 right

[@DarKSideF0X]

Did you just say Hentia?

[@bajsbrev4651]

Shh it'll gonna go to his head!

[@jbgra2566]

3:34 omg this was so lovely!

[@KingKooba22]

impeccable timing, i was just youtubing art books to buy last week

[@timluns]

Thanks Proko So glad I found your channel ...Your the Man!

[@mariam.9215]

Thank you so much for these interviews!

[@VeryBlueBot]

another gold mine for artists to follow and books to get - thank you

[@CinemaSeven]

I bought some prints from William Stout when he came to MondoCon a few years ago. Such a great man and really great to talk to.

[@mrsenor5233]

I've been self taught my whole life but I really wanna take my skill to the next level

[@thebigx68]

Are you good now?

[@goated-yt2370]

@@coolaveri5100 no not all…

[@sonal7987]

How's it going

[@rugbytheiii1782]

Did it work out!

[@tubeplay]

Thank you so much for this excellent video, and thanks to all the artists who are involved. Extra thanks for the book covers. I'll prepare a special corner in my house just for these fantastic books.

[@sohamdwivedi9427]

The thumbnails already has so many amazing book!

[@Brunoenribeiro]

so insightful and inspiring... thanks a bunch stan!

[@DiazRodrigo]

I love your videos, thanks for everything

[@ashpearson6331]

I have come out of this video with no more of a clue than when I went in! What a selection to choose from 😁

[@jackiehonda]

Ahh don't forget Richard Schmid's Alla Prima!! That's a real treasure too.

[@azalea1404]

So, so cool, Stan - just what I needed. Excellent, fun, and very informative video. Next year, ask them how they managed to become so skilled that they are today. Their life story with art so to speak. Ask them what it takes to achieve a level that enables you to live of your artistic skills.

[@MoYvStarkey]

Step by Step is fantastic.

[@vikrant555]

1:25 absolutely agree with this ! I bought that book and art feels like there's no bone in figures just bunch of muscle put on one another. Dynamic figures which have balance of Bones and muscles are more pleasing to watch and draw...

[@EyeLean5280]

"Understanding Comics" is a fabulous book! It's the book I recommend that high school students to read before going off to college, whether they're art students or not. It prepares you for the higher-level thinking you'll encounter in higher education.

[@nudirt1274]

How to draw the Marvel way (video) was the one which showed me what all areas i need to understand as to get started. And i just have begun.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Interesting to note, except for the classics, i.e. Loomis, Bridgeman etc. Most of the "how to draw " books that exploded into bookstores in the last 5 to 10 years I see quite often in thrift stores now. I feel most of those were only a platform for B and C list artists to get an art book published, lots of form but little content.... (for pre-digital how to Step by Step Graphics magazine was a goldmine!!!)

[@rafaelinio1]

Really useful video, thanks for uploading

[@josephtermeer4595]

Yes!!! Go to the coffee shop and watch people... draw from life! But, education is very important. Thanks for this video as it guides us who have not attended college all the way through😉

[@anubhavjoshi6944]

Man I didnt expect Lucio Parillo to pop up! He's astonishing at his craft!

[@HawaiiKnut]

When I started drawing again, I asked pros at conventions which books they could recommend. Now I feel I'm at the stage I can work on my own. My top 3 are: 1: Making Comics - Scott McCloud 2: Drawing Comics, The Marvel Way - Stan the Man and John Buscema 3: Comics and Sequential Art - Will Eisner

[@dom5108]

I'm so glad Imagine FX was mentioned.

[@a.b.1870]

It kind of deserves more attention. I really enjoy it.

[@thgritic102]

The Etherington brothers! I wanted to get their art book when they were doing the Kickstarter for it, but I was a teen with no money, so I couldn't get it. They still have it up on their DA page though.

[@highchamp1]

Masterclass (in style) A wikipedia of artists, methods and data (paper, pens, brushes etc.) My favorites (and drawing style interests) Caricature Jack Davis Ukiyo-e art style Herge (Tin Tin) Comic Book style Marvel (artists) Hal Foster (Prince Valiant) Larry Elmore (D&D) similar to Hal Foster (B&W and also oil paintings)

[@jbeihl1]

Constructive Anatomy and Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth should both be on that top ten list. I’m also a fan of Draw Comic Action by Lee Garbett, Anatomy for the Artist by Sara Simblet, and I’m excited about picking up Color and Light

[@vinceven]

i knew Sanford was going to say How to draw comics the Marvel way. that's the book that started it for me too. got mine signed by Stan Lee.

[@drakewilson638]

Damn lucky

[@troychriscarretas2657]

Wow

[@drawingmaniacsterben7144]

I highly recommend Rendering in pen And ink by Arthur guptill!! Fabulous book. Besides teaching you ink which is pretty hard medium it teaches you how to think generaly, how to learn what to look for And striving for excellence.

[@drakewilson638]

Thanks

[@Mrqsh_]

Yes, that book is really usefull

[@yeahgirl11]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us Proko! I'd also like to thank you for asking Sanford Greene! I'm still getting into comics, and as a Black person myself, I'm looking for more Black creators to inspire me in my own journey in making comics. I've never heard of Sanford Green until now, so thank you so much Proko!

[@sartinitini7499]

Art is treasure.😎

[@jacobmeis1249]

I checked out "how to draw the marvel way" so many times from the library. It is also a video presentation.

[@mangagnome9764]

no one talked about Figure Drawing Design and Invention. i was hoping I'd see that one

[@triisart1721]

I love that book :D

[@mangagnome9764]

@@triisart1721 so do I. Struggling through it but I'll get there one day

[@kingtigerbooks1162]

Art books are the stuff of dreams. Oceans, deserts, angels, forests, still life, plants and people -- the images stay with you long after you have finished the book. Sci Fi art books are even better. These are my 2 favorite art books on Amazon: - Aviation Art by Lou Drendel - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy 1 by Tim Gibson

[@jeffhreid]

That was great. A lot of familiar titles that I have, or want but some new ones too. Added quite a few to the old Christmas list

[@bradcook1537]

Wish Peter Han's Dynamic Bible was easier to get. Its on Superani's website but its only "Part 1" and isn't the full book we see in this video.

[@lilianecaroline5]

Framed Ink is a Fantastic book! Every artist should give it a look

[@Andrew-rz9ck]

there are lots of videos online for learning art but none have the production quality level that proko has.

[@telmocavaco6949]

I Agree with teh choise of livros.

[@gandjusks]

Unrelated to art tutorials, 13:52 at the right, I think that's Amy Mebberson (pocket princesses).

[@sentry8992]

Preston Blair, Animation, was magical when I was a kid.

[@luanespedito1475]

My recommendations: Imagine FX how to draw and paint anatomy 1 and 2. Anatomy 4 Sculptures.

[@korylewis9913]

you cant go wrong with Loomis and Bridgman if you are starting out!

[@elsevillaart]

The Silver Way is really a great book. I don't agree that only by looking and drawing you learn, I mean perspective took 1400 years and was discovered by a Math guy in Italy, I'm not sure about you guys but I can't live that long to discover things by myself.

[@EmiTheLoomistar]

Exactly. The guy was saying just draw but he was already taking in consideration that you knew what gesture drawing was. like wtf?

[@elsevillaart]

@@EmiTheLoomistar Yeah learning process is interesting in different people, each approach is unique. But i think is wise to take any form of help..advices anything. After all im not smart i need all the help i can get.

[@tylerbarnes5005]

@kennedyhair84 You'd be drawing a lot of people on cell phones, tablets, and laptops, that's for sure! Haha

[@frankiecardona1656]

i have the silver way , for cartoons it is real good its worth it

[@kyb3er]

I would like to add Juliette Aristides "Beginning Drawing Atelier" and "Figure Drawing Atelier" workbooks.

[@Cyrus_L_Maximus]

I really wished at least one artist had recommended a general drawing book like: Drawing What You See by Ruby De Reyna Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson How to Draw Anything by Mark Linley "The whole is worth more than the sum of its parts"-Aristotle "The beginning is the most important part of the work"-Plato

[@eitsirkwonggedbbl]

I'm surprised Anatomy for Sculptors wasn't mentioned. That book is so easy to learn from and super detailed in its information.

[@richardhopper159]

Drawn to Life vol. 1 & 2 by Walt Stanchfield

[@sanferrera]

I am surprised no one mentioned Vilppu!

[@al-mosheytidal1296]

@5:17 Karl Kopinski is my drawing hero!

[@artistabhay4u]

Buy all books: Designing creatures and character -amzn.to/3Ez8Yzk Understanding comics -amzn.to/3ywgt6d Drawing the head and hands by Andrew loomis -amzn.to/3CLWEuc Figure drawing by Andrew loomis -amzn.to/3ROncz7 Andrew loomis books set-amzn.to/3g0Mf4Y Figure drawing by Michel haptan-amzn.to/3EDmD8B The animator's survival kit-amzn.to/3Ci1b5W Framed ink -amzn.to/3fZkkC9 Framed perspective -amzn.to/3rJ1XnU Constructive anatomy -amzn.to/3CrVpyX

[@BakiWho]

ey man you should get in touch with video game artists and artstation you would be amazed!!!

[@Ness_12]

Hearing about the next year comic con when we are on september, still on a pandemic, sadness has entered the chat.

[@topcattai]

probably make some good change listing the books they were talking about in the description ( not a criticism but im looking for step by step graphics = ] )

[@eterno1610]

Woohoo, i somehow randomly bought 2 of Bridgmans books several months ago and people actually recommend them. : )

[@theodoretaylor5772]

I've always liked the books by Hogarth myself. Two of them are recommended in How to draw comics the Marvel way too.

[@inkman002]

Yeah theyre personal faves of mines. I don't see what all the hate is about.

[@troychriscarretas2657]

i have 2 hogarth books and they are great but it is not perfect ... yes it lacks the bone structure but still awesome

[@theodoretaylor5772]

@@troychriscarretas2657 I recall somewhere at the start of Dynamic Anatomy Hogarth mentioned a book on the subject of skeletal structure, saying something to the effect of reading that along with his book.

[@supahjadi8944]

His drawings are hard to copy

[@boblob3509]

dang how long were the individual interviews

[@sherriwillis9180]

Frazetta's books. (All of them) Loomis, The complete works of Micheal Angelo. -JF Willis

[@Michael-ns1ey]

'Composing Pictures', by Donald W. Graham. If you can find a copy, and if you have the money to afford it.

[@arthuredington6171]

3:03 A Wild Zoran appears!!!!

[@locomotionchannel]

9:10 Found this book on my walk on Sunday (was in a box of free books on the street) --- It's a sign.

[@sclh]

I'll miss these videos :(

[@seanramsey]

We'll be at next year's comic con in July so they'll be back!

[@kpa-vo4pb]

I just want to draw or oil paint a dc comic book characters on a canvas. Green lantern or some in general.

[@bluebeenie3499]

My favourite thing about your "asking pros", series, (aside from the epicness of the teachings) is the girl always just focused on Peter Han lol

[@pjlewisful]

I'd be interested to know favorite drawing supplies or discoveries.

[@Patxi__]

4:19 This have to be the same guy who said "practice, practice, practice" (yes, practice is a must, but if you don't learn and just practice what you already know, you will make the same mistakes over and over again). You can learn a bit by yourself just with observation, but you can learn a ton if you learn from someone who has been drawing his entire life and share his knowledge. The people who teach art have been studying proportions, perspective, anatomy, design, color, composition, values... for years, this is definitely not something you can learn by yourself. I have been studying art for so many years and I thank a lot that there are so many awesome artists who make the learning process easy for us, instead of telling us "go there and draw what you see". drawing figure from real life is a good exercise, but in any way better than learning theory and fundamentals. I made a lot of drawings from real life, but I didn't understand camera lenses till I started to study 3D, with well explained tutorials.

[@16LifeGames]

My Big book is Saturno Buttò by The Guide Artists.. hidden gem 💎

[@nomit4hd552]

I love how it goes from "how to draw comics the marvel way" to straight up bridgeman 😄

[@eyeball8359]

It would be cool if you did one of these but Instead of meeting them you call or face time then

[@flavio8430]

Do you have any other suggestions other than Jarom Vogel's class on Skillshare?

[@Mrqsh_]

Bridgman it´s the best book, i have learned so much with those books.

[@pebblesthecat3625]

QUESTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR : 1. What resources would you recommend when learning to draw A. Scenery B. Buildings C. Animals D. Aliens/Imaginary creatures. 2. What are the item's you should not spend money on or even buy, that you see advertised ? 3. What is the one most important item that you should buy the best of, spending the most you can afford, regardless of the price range ? (e.g. if it's a pencil, what brand above all others, and why). 4. If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice to help your future artistic self, what would that advice be ? 5. If you could have an art lesson from any artist, living or dead, who would you choose and why ?

[@homuhomu4678]

karl kopinski is a cool guy

[@donnyshields4450]

I would say that the Mastering Manga books by Mark Crilley helped to really reignite my passion for art!

[@roobierax]

High key though, you do have one of the best drawing tutorials on the tube. Ive been subscribed for years and watch it all but its still a personal battle for me j: keep it up proko!

[@dreamer_drmr]

The best super power for an artist would be imortality imo

[@MintyCow101]

That raziel from Collin lawler, yay

[@moumitasaha8535]

I recognise Stephen silver he is himself great artist

[@michaelmcdonnell3905]

Drawing Comics The Marvel Way, Christopher Hart books, Michael Hampton Figure Drawing Design and Invention, Burne Hogarth books, George Bridgman Complete Guide To Drawing From Life.

[@likeadragonessence2024]

next year comic con, ask them about the pandemic

[@vishwanathravi7196]

Peter han whenever he opens his mouth: "PUSH!"

[@MattHendrickR]

Nobody mentioned Jack Hamm...surprising

[@artwork.alexander]

Does anyone know which Russian Academy of Art book was mentioned? I didn't catch a name on that one.

[@marlongrandberry71]

Where can I get Peter Han’s book dynamic bible

[@truckxmcnugget3145]

krang OF COURSE

[@kairamh]

Carl Barks has an art book?

[@BinaryDood]

I was an Hogarth boy

[@Pixxeria]

Sean Galloway! Yay!