Nate Snitzer Art ~ Classical Oil Paintings & Drawings

For most artists, a good book library is not only great to have around the studio, but also essential towards our learning after our training or schooling is finished. This list comprises of a few books that I found essential for helping me get to where I’m at now. This list will be continuously updated in the future with other books that I find to be of benefit along the way as well. Keep in mind that these are books that worked for me, some you may find through your own experience to be more useful or less useful than others. If you happen to have any suggestions of your own that I may read up on, please drop me a line and let me know.

The Art Books

• Alla Prima by Richard Schmid

  One of the best art books on general art knowledge available to anyone. Richard Schmid’s focus in this book is on alla prima painting, as the title suggests, but the information in the book applies to all levels and kinds of art. His instruction on conservation of values and relationships is also eye opening and very important to read and understand. This book comes highly recommended.

• The Art Spirit by Robert Henri

  Reads like the zen of art. This book is full of bits and pieces of knowledge, sprinkled all throughout the text, covering both techniques and philosophy about creating art. I didn’t say this, but it’s a great bathroom reader, you can pick up anywhere in the book and be able to get much from it without reading anything twice.

• The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed

• Oil Painting Techniques and Materials by Harold Speed

• The Artists Complete Guide to Figure Drawing by Anthony Ryder

  Tony Ryder has a great sense of value and a very sensitive eye to drawing, and that is definitely reflected in his work in this text. Great for any student or artist looking to learn about the multitudes of measuring methods, plus the processes and technical aspects to drawing from life in general.

• The Drawing Course (Cours de Dessin) by Charles Bargue and Jean-Léon Gérôme

  The quintessential book used for drawing training. This text includes enough images of drawings and pictures to make any artist giddy, plus the reproduction of the lithograph plates are essential for doing many of the master copies needed for early training.