The best art books for painters to stay creative

In this book, Shlain reveals his unusual take on the power of images throughout history. His discussion using contemporary ideas about our creative right-brain side brings interesting connections between the Goddess, images, and feminine values. Shlain's earlier book, Art & Physics was very popular expressing his breakthrough theory, ad revealing an astonishing parallel with these two seemingly different topics. I find that books like this, not dedicated to learning specific painting techniques, end up being more helpful towards how I think as an artist. A good writer, it is easy to read and very inspiring.

As artists when we create there are times when we get stuck, blocked, or feel like we can't proceed. There are many reasons why as artists we choose to take time and resources to create. Usually it is a passion we feel, a need to express ourselves creatively, or just to feel the joy of creating. It is important to not let those times of insecurity stop us from creating. This book addresses very clearly and in easy to grasp writing, why we get stuck, and how to not let these reasons keep us from following our dream. Recommended for any person engaged in creative practice – whether an artist, writer, or even a business person that wants to add creativity in their life.

Worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love writes for all artists about the creative process. Often books about techniques and processes can be a tough read, but Gilbert is a wonderful writer and takes this topic to a place where the reader is bound to be inspired. Not just for artists but this book will also add enormously to anyone who wants their life to be more fulfilling. Gilbert adds plenty of ways to enhance our lives with more mindfulness and passion.

While this book is not written for artists or even about art, I found it very helpful for me as a painter. To achieve the best for my paintings, I realize I need to trust my intuition over intellect. If I get too intellectual about any of my ideas for a painting, the end result is not as fulfilling if instead, I follow my intuition or inner voice. Braden goes into depth in this book about having two sources of intelligence – the brain and the heart. I like his take on this which can also be thought of as right and left brain or intellect vs intuition. By thinking about Braden's ideas on our powerful heart-brain connection, I am able to tap into deeper modalities on what it is that I am painting about. Very interesting read that sticks with you for a long time and easily becomes a painter's muse.

This book is an absolute must-read for all painters. Kandinsky is known as the father of modern art who brought abstract painting into the realms of art history. As an important aside, there is now controversy over his title, as new information has come up about a woman painter Hilma af Klint, that preceded Kandinsky for abstract painting ideas. Even so, Kandinsky was the first to write about spirituality and art for painters. His ideas still feel fresh on how color plays an integral role to express emotion in painting. He originally wrote this book in German, and so the translation to English along with his determination to express inner motivation for painters, makes this read a bit of a challenge. A worthy task guaranteed to surprise even the savviest painter, on how Kandinsky points out our inner thoughts as contemporary painters, but more than a century ago.