Embarking on an artistic deep dive: My inspiring Art Book wishlist for 2024
This year, I'm determined to delve deeper into my art practice, and one way I'm fuelling my creative journey is by immersing myself in the wisdom of inspiring art books. After scouring online resources, I've curated a Wishlist of seven captivating titles that each offer a unique perspective and valuable skills to unlock.
With a budget of £120, I've devised a plan to treat myself to one book per month. This focused approach allows me to fully absorb each book's content, whether it's expanding my art historical knowledge, mastering new techniques, or simply revelling in the beauty of artistic expression. If a book spills over into the next month, no worries! I'll continue working through it until my next literary treasure arrives. This approach ensures I truly engage with each book, preventing them from collecting dust on a shelf.
So, what gems are on my coveted list? Let's peek inside:
The Short Story of Modern Art: A Pocket Guide to Key Movements, Works, Themes and Techniques by Susie Hodge: This handy guide promises a comprehensive yet concise overview of modern art's major movements, iconic works, and guiding principles. It's the perfect primer for anyone wanting to navigate the exciting world of modern art.
A Dictionary of Colour Combinations: Delving into the world of colour theory is essential for any artist, and this dictionary promises to be an invaluable resource. Imagine having a quick and easy reference for harmonious colour pairings at your fingertips!
Art Nouveau: The Essential Reference by Carol Belanger Grafton: Art Nouveau's organic forms and whimsical motifs have always captivated me, and this in-depth reference seems like the perfect way to dive deeper into the movement's history, key figures, and artistic techniques.
Flowers A to Z by Cecelia Hefferman: As a lover of botanical illustration, this comprehensive guide to floral varieties and their artistic depiction is simply irresistible. From accurate renderings to creative interpretations, I'm eager to explore the diverse ways artists have captured the essence of blooms throughout history.
The Noisy Paintbox: The Colours and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock: This innovative children's book takes a unique approach to abstract art, exploring the connection between colours and sounds in the works of Wassily Kandinsky. It's a creative spark waiting to ignite my artistic exploration.
Pure Watercolour Painting: Classic Techniques for Creating Radiant Landscapes by Peter Cronin: Mastering the art of watercolour is a long-held ambition, and this guide, focusing on classic techniques for capturing landscapes, seems like the perfect place to start.
Wet-on-Wet Watercolour Painting: A Complete Guide to Techniques and Materials by Ewa Karpinska: Experimenting with different watercolour techniques is both exciting and challenging, and this comprehensive guide promises to equip me with the knowledge and skills to confidently explore the dynamic world of wet-on-wet painting.
I'm thrilled to embark on this artistic journey with these inspiring companions. As I delve into each book, I'll be sure to share my learnings, discoveries, and perhaps even some creative projects inspired by their content. Stay tuned for an artistic adventure filled with colour, knowledge, and exploration!
To be notified of new blog posts and for a free printable art print sign up for my monthly newsletter below:
Comments