When people ask me how I learned to draw, the truth is it wasn’t from a class or course. It was from years of drawing what I saw and slowly figuring things out. But one thing that helped immensely along the way was reading and flipping through good drawing books.
Not the overly structured ones that say “draw a circle, then a square,” but the ones that actually make you want to pick up a pencil and try something. The kind of books that meet you where you're at, especially if you're someone who wants to draw from observation in a loose and expressive way.
My approach is always about seeing clearly and simplifying. I start by blocking in large shapes – not outlines, but the shapes created by shadows and forms – then I slowly work toward the smaller shapes and details. It's never been about formula for me.
And when I find a book that encourages that mindset, I hold onto it.
Table of Contents
Key Points
- Pick drawing books that emphasize seeing over steps. You want to learn how to observe, not how to draw a perfect cartoon cat.
- Don’t be afraid to draw loosely or messily. Look for books that give permission to experiment, not just follow rules.
- Use books as tools, not checklists. You don’t need to finish every exercise to get something valuable from them.
Best Drawing Books for Observational Artists
When you're learning to draw by observing real life or photos – not copying cartoons or step-by-step formulas – you need books that encourage seeing, not memorizing. The best ones show you how to train your eyes, build confidence, and find your own rhythm with a pencil or pen. Here are a few I've learned a lot from, and why they stand out.
1. Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson
This book was a major turning point for me. It teaches you how to see. Not just with your eyes, but with your pencil.
Dodson's idea of “drawing what you see, not what you think you see” is at the core of observational drawing. The book has practical exercises, but they aren’t overly rigid. You’re encouraged to work loosely and let your lines evolve. It’s also one of the few books that directly addresses how to build your confidence while drawing, which is something a lot of beginners overlook.
You can read more about Keys to Drawing here.
2. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
This one gets recommended a lot, and for good reason. Some of the science stuff might feel dated, but the exercises work.
Especially if you're a beginner who struggles to make your drawings look like what you're seeing. It helps shift you out of the part of your brain that wants to name things and into the part that actually sees shapes, angles, and relationships. I remember one particular contour drawing exercise that completely changed how I approached drawing hands.
I wrote more about Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain in this post.
3. Dare to Sketch by Felix Scheinberger
This is not a traditional how-to book.
It’s more like a sketchbook pep talk. It's full of energy and reminds you that drawing can be spontaneous and imperfect. That’s exactly the vibe I go for. Scheinberger's drawings are loose, colorful, and full of personality. The book encourages you to experiment with materials, make ugly drawings, and not worry about getting things “right.” It’s the kind of book I flip through when I’m in a creative slump.
Here's my full review of Dare to Sketch.
4. The Field Guide to Drawing and Sketching Animals
If you like drawing wildlife or animals in general, this one feels more like an artist's journal than a manual.
It encourages field sketching and observational drawing from life, which I think is one of the most grounding practices you can do.
There are tips on how to draw moving animals, how to observe their shapes quickly, and how to simplify details without losing their character. It’s especially helpful if you want to take your sketchbook outdoors.
I go deeper into The Field Guide to Drawing and Sketching Animals here.
5. Keys to Drawing with Imagination
This is the lesser-known companion to Dodson's first book.
It blends observational drawing with playful visual storytelling and imaginative prompts. Even though I usually draw from real life, this book opened up some creative side doors for me.
It helped me loosen up and try things I wouldn’t normally sketch – like surreal landscapes or character ideas based on real references. If you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut or too focused on realism, this book can nudge you toward a more playful mindset.
I talk more about Keys to Drawing with Imagination here.
6. Sketch Book for the Artist by Sarah Simblet
This one is visually stunning. It's the kind of book that inspires you just by flipping through the pages.
There's a mix of anatomy, materials, and different drawing philosophies inside, so it’s not linear – but I like that. Simblet shows a wide variety of drawing approaches, from classical to experimental. She also includes her own sketchbook pages, which is always helpful to see.
You can open it to any page and find something worth exploring, whether you're working on your mark-making, studying the human figure, or just looking for new tools to try.
I share more thoughts on Sketch Book for the Artist here.
What to Avoid in Drawing Books
Not all drawing books are created equal. In fact, many of them can actually slow you down. If a book insists you must learn perspective before drawing anything interesting, or teaches everything like a rigid curriculum, I usually steer clear.
Formulaic drawing methods might look clean, but they rarely help you draw from real life. I avoid anything that starts with “Draw a circle, then a cross, then connect the lines.” That might work for cartoons, but not for sketching a street scene or a bird you saw on a hike.
Instead, I keep coming back to books that encourage real observation. They remind me that the goal isn't to be perfect. It's to notice more. To spend time with the subject. To enjoy the drawing. The best books help you slow down and develop your eye, rather than racing toward a polished outcome. That’s what makes them valuable in the long run.
How I Use Drawing Books in My Practice
I don’t treat drawing books like schoolwork. I flip through them the way I might browse a cookbook. I find an idea, a prompt, or an example that inspires me, and I try it out in my sketchbook. If it clicks, I keep going. If not, I move on.
One thing that’s helped me is treating exercises as invitations, not assignments. I don’t try to get them “right.” I use them to explore different ways of seeing, whether that’s gesture drawing, blocking in shadows first, or experimenting with different line pressures. I might draw the same object five times in five different ways, depending on what I’m practicing.
Sometimes I follow exercises. Sometimes I ignore them entirely and just use the book to warm up or get out of a rut. One thing that helps is keeping a few books visible on my desk. That way, I see them, open them, and actually use them.
I also collect drawing prompts and simple ideas like the ones in this list of drawing ideas when I want to sketch but don’t know what to draw. Some of the best books spark that kind of curiosity. The goal for me is always the same: to keep the pencil moving.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Books
Most of the drawing books I return to are rooted in observation – something that naturally extends to travel. Sketching on safari or wandering through new destinations has taught me more about seeing and simplifying than any studio exercise. You can find stories from those trips in my travel writing.
When you're picking drawing books, the most important thing is how they make you feel. Do they make you want to draw? Do they help you see the world a little differently? Do they give you ideas, not just instructions? If yes, they're worth keeping.
You don’t need to finish every exercise or read them cover to cover. Just find what speaks to you, try something new, and keep your pencil moving.
