Search

*Disclaimer: Tossions earns a commission from qualifying purchases.

The 8 Best art books for painters of 2025

Are you trying to find art books for painters among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling art books for painters on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 19 hours of research and did 67 art books for painters tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best art books for painters you can buy today

SaleNo. 1
Transcendence: (American Landscape Painting, Painter Richard Mayhew Art Book)
  • Hardcover Book
  • Mayhew, Richard (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 136 Pages - 03/03/2020 (Publication Date) - Chronicle Books (Publisher)
SaleNo. 2
The Painter's Secret Geometry: A Study of Composition in Art (Dover Books on Fine Art)
  • Bouleau, Charles (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 272 Pages - 08/20/2014 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
No. 3
HG Art Concepts Painters Color Diary - 9x12 Spiral-Bound Acid-Free Color Swatch Book with 10 Pages for Acrylic or Oil Paint - Single
  • Features: Easy to label description area for Each page, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, Each swatch outline measures 1"x1.5", pages measure 9x12" from the spiral binding, exclusive to Jerry's Artarama, and patent pending swatch diary Design
  • Perfect For: Color mixing/test samples, formula guides, testing Color transparency/opacity, Color palette selection, practicing value, shade, and tint mixing, student classwork, getting Organized, and Painters of All experience levels
  • OIL & ACRYLIC Color DIARY: Perfect For oil and acrylic Paint, 40 outlined swatch boxes on Each page, 136 lb. (290gsm) Canvas Textured paper with sizing, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, Each swatch outline measures 1"x1.5", and pages measure 9x12" from the spiral binding
  • Organize: As a Painter, you know how valuable swatch and Color mixing Information is; Think how much easier it will be to plan your Paintings with All that important Information in an Organized format!
  • Bulk: Do you have a lot of Colors or are you looking to buy Color diaries for a class? Look no further as we offer this Uniquely Design Color diary in single, 5 pack, and 20 pack options!
SaleNo. 4
The Oil Painter's Color Handbook: A Contemporary Guide to Color Mixing, Pigments, Palettes, and Harmony
355 Consomer Reviews
The Oil Painter's Color Handbook: A Contemporary Guide to Color Mixing, Pigments, Palettes, and Harmony
  • The Oil Painter's Color Handbook: A Contemporary Guide to Color Mixing, Pigments, Palettes, and Composition: A Contemporary Guide to Color Mixing, Pigments, Palettes, and Harmony
  • Hardcover Book
  • Casey, Todd M. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 320 Pages - 10/19/2022 (Publication Date) - Monacelli Studio (Publisher)
SaleNo. 5
Old In Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over
520 Consomer Reviews
Old In Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over
  • Painter, Nell (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 352 Pages - 08/27/2019 (Publication Date) - Counterpoint (Publisher)
SaleNo. 6
The Landscape Painter's Workbook: Essential Studies in Shape, Composition, and Color (Volume 6) (For Artists, 6)
  • Albala, Mitchell (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 176 Pages - 01/25/2022 (Publication Date) - Rockport Publishers (Publisher)
SaleNo. 7
Painter's Handbook: Revised and Expanded
  • Gottsegen, Mark David (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 360 Pages - 04/01/2006 (Publication Date) - Watson-Guptill (Publisher)
No. 8
HG Art Concepts Painters Color Diary - 9x12", 140lb Spiral-Bound Acid-Free Color Swatch Book with 10 Pages for Watercolor & Mixed Media - Single
  • Features: Easy to label description area for each page, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, each swatch outline measures 1"x1.5", pages measure 9x12" from the spiral binding, exclusive to Jerry's Artarama, and patent pending swatch diary design
  • Perfect For: Color mixing/test samples, formula guides, testing color transparency/opacity, color palette selection, practicing value, shade, and tint mixing, student classwork, getting organized, and painters of all experience levels
  • Watercolor & Multimedia Color Diary: Perfect For Watercolor, gouache, Colored pencil, soft pastel, oil pastel, water-soluble crayon, and more! Includes 35 outlined swatch boxes on each page (140 lb. (300gsm) 100% Cotton cold press paper) and landscape page layouts for Watercolor gradations
  • Organize: As a Painter, you know how valuable swatch and Color mixing Information is; Think how much easier it will be to plan your Paintings with all that critical Information in an Organized format! With easy labeling and management, this Color diary is a must-have for all artists
  • Travel: Looking to find inspiration on the go? The HG Art Concepts Painter's Diary is Perfect For Traveling and finding Color inspiration around the globe; Document your ideas and Color swatches for your soon to be masterpieces!
SaleNo. 9
Great Women Painters
  • Hardcover Book
  • Phaidon Editors, Phaidon (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 348 Pages - 10/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Phaidon Press (Publisher)
SaleNo. 10
Degas, Painter of Ballerinas: A Picture Book
  • Hardcover Book
  • Rubin, Susan Goldman (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 64 Pages - 04/16/2019 (Publication Date) - Abrams Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
No. 11
Personalized Leather Sketchbook Cover Large for A5 Artists Gifts Sketch Pad Cover | Sketch Book Cover Personalized Gift for Painter Leather Journal Notebook Cover Art Tools Case Cover (Custom Name)
  • Personalized Name or Photo Leather Sketchbook Cover Large for A5 Handmade Artists Gifts Sketch Pad Cover | Sketch Book Cover Personalized Gift for Painter Leather Journal Notebook Cover Art Tools Case Cover
SaleNo. 12
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
  • Hardcover Book
  • Harvey, Jeanne Walker (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 40 Pages - 02/22/2022 (Publication Date) - HarperCollins (Publisher)
No. 13
Curse Painter (Art Mages of Lure Book 1)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Rivet, Jordan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 322 Pages - 10/09/2020 (Publication Date)
SaleNo. 14
HG Art Concepts Travel Size Painters Color Diary - 6x8" Spiral-Bound Acid-Free Color Swatch Book with 10 Pages for Traveling Artists
  • Features: Easy to label description area for each page, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, exclusive to Jerry's Artarama, and patent pending swatch diary design
  • Perfect For: Color mixing/test samples, formula guides, testing color transparency/opacity, color palette selection, practicing value, shade, and tint mixing, student classwork, getting organized, and painters of all experience levels
  • Travel Painter's Color Diary: Perfect for watercolor, colored pencils, pastels, and more, 140 lb. (300gsm) 100% cotton cold press paper, landscape page layout for watercolor gradations, 36 swatch boxes per page, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, each swatch outline measures 1-3/16" x 1/2", and pages measure 6" x 8" from the spiral binding
  • Organize: As a painter, you know how valuable swatch and color mixing information is; Think how much easier it will be to plan your paintings with all that important information in an organized format!
  • Bulk: Do you have a lot of colors or are you looking to buy color diaries for a class? Look no further as we offer this uniquely design color diary in single, 5 pack, and 20 pack options!
No. 15
HG Art Concepts Painters Color Diary - 9x12" Spiral-Bound Acid-Free Color Swatch Book - Oil/Acrylic & Watercolor/Multimedia Bundle
  • Features: Easy to label description area for each page, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, each swatch outline measures 1"x1.5", pages measure 9x12" from the spiral binding, exclusive to Jerry's Artarama, and patent pending swatch diary design
  • Perfect For: Color mixing/test samples, formula guides, testing color transparency/opacity, color palette selection, practicing value, shade, and tint mixing, student classwork, getting organized, and painters of all experience levels
  • Oil & Acrylic Color Diary: Perfect For oil and acrylic Paint, 40 outlined swatch boxes on each page, 136 lb. (290gsm) Canvas Textured paper with sizing, 10 removable pages with glassine interleaving, each swatch outline measures 1"x1.5", and pages measure 9x12" from the spiral binding
  • Watercolor & Multimedia Color DIARY: Perfect For Watercolor, gouache, Colored pencil, soft pastel, oil pastel, water-soluble crayon, and more! Includes 35 outlined swatch boxes on each page (140 lb. (300gsm) 100% Cotton cold press paper) and landscape page layouts for Watercolor gradations
  • Organize: As a Painter, you know how valuable swatch and Color mixing Information is; Think how much easier it will be to plan your Paintings with all that important Information in an Organized format!
SaleNo. 16
The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists
207 Consomer Reviews
The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists
  • Curtis, Gregory (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 10/09/2007 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)
SaleNo. 17
The Master Painters of the Dutch Golden Age: Their Lives and Works in 500 Images
106 Consomer Reviews
The Master Painters of the Dutch Golden Age: Their Lives and Works in 500 Images
  • Hardcover Book
  • Hodge, Susie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 11/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Lorenz Books (Publisher)
SaleNo. 18
Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (Volume 2) (James Gurney Art)
  • Gurney, James (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 11/30/2010 (Publication Date) - Andrews McMeel Publishing (Publisher)
SaleNo. 19
Anders Zorn: Sweden's Master Painter
347 Consomer Reviews
Anders Zorn: Sweden's Master Painter
  • Hardcover Book
  • Cederlund, Johan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 224 Pages - 10/29/2013 (Publication Date) - Rizzoli Electa (Publisher)
No. 20
Famous Painters in Art History: an educational coloring book
  • Rush, Davina (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 81 Pages - 12/01/2016 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)

How to choose a good art books for painters

Does the idea of finding a fantastic art books for painters make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in art books for painters. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top art books for painters products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top art books for painters on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top art books for painters brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top art books for painters based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the art books for painters were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good art books for painters, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your art books for painters.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting art books for painters for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our art books for painters. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what art books for painters should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on art books for painters.