BEST Books for Creativity ~ Art School NOT required!

Betty Edwards' "Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain" is phenomenal. I took it on a solo vacation along with the suggested art supplies. Over 10 days, I ate and went to the beach but most of my time was in my hotel room with this book. I went through the entire thing and my drawing was amazingly better by the end just as her examples in the book show. Her premise is if you can see, you can draw, and she shows you how to really see what you're looking at. This book is amazing. That vacation was my best vacation ever. ❤

You are not helping me with my decluttering!!! LOL

“Drawing with the right side of the brain “ Is the book that changed my life.. I was going to study medicine but I jumped into the design world and never looked back since ❤ I am so glad I took that risk and I can’t imagine my life without art and creativity ❤

That's quite a library! In self-directed art training, it's essential to gain exposure to subjects like color theory, architecture, and art history which are not as easy to access simply through doing art. Even in formal art education, there's a tendency to filter out artists and movements that don't necessarily interest us personally, but we need to resist having too narrow a focus if we're going to learn and grow- That's why we loved seeing the breadth and depth of the titles you shared!

What I found fascinating about this video, as much as the books you featured, is how you tactile you are and how much you use your hands. You "pet" almost every picture - especially the ones you like - many of the pictures you "pet" over and over again - and you "pet" the pages and the covers! :-) I can definitely see how your work is influenced by Chagall by some of the paintings in that book. And I am so inspired that I'm about to take a walk to my two nearby bookstores to browse!

The way you caress the books and pages with your hands really communicates your love for them. You’re lovely.

Love Love Loved this, just went through 4 book cases to declutter and take to the second hand book store for trade. I was not able to give up any art books, I tried...but then I opened them and fell in love again.

I started with Betty Edwards workshop a few months ago, as I've always wanted to make art. The foundation is just incredible. Beyond the book it's up to me to keep practicing what I've learnt. Every time I doubt myself I think back to that course and see how much I can actually do, even when I thought I couldn't.

Thanks Wendy. Good to see examples of books as recommendations make sensible book buying. I've way too many but doesn't stop me gaining more. Best wishes to you both x

Such an inspiring look through some of the books in your collection. I took an art history class in college and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for inspiring us to explore our creativity!

I love how tactile you are with your books, caressing them. I love that about books, especially art books. The feel, the smell of books :) It inspires me to go to my collection and give it some appreciation they might have been missing lately, too.

This was a great session. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I believe that Gilbert’s book hits you when needed, I was so inspired by her book that I bought copies for other people. It really changed my life in a more positive way. Not sure it would affect me the same way now, but just looking at it renews that positivity, and when I need it again in the future, it’s close by. Keep on inspiring, you ARE magical 💜

I’m amazed how much you and I have in common in that I also love crocheting, knitting and sewing in addition to my love of design and drawing. I also love collecting books that inspire me. Thanks so much for sharing your collection. Although we have different books, but very similar in categories. I feel so much better about holding onto my books now that you made it clear that they’re invaluable to our creative spirit.

I'm so glad you popped up on my feed! I had never seen you before and found the first video I watched, "I have no friends" inviting, calming, and inspiring. As I've committed to going to a new level in my art, the beginning of the year, starting not just a new year but a new era of my life, I've decided to include you as a near-daily addition, believing your tone, artwork and whimsical nature will surely help with creating the new 'flavor' that I'm looking for. Thank you for what you do!

Wendy, this video is sacred and precious. The wealth of your information is extensive and priceless. I can just imagine what a special art teacher you were for young children bright eyed and like sponges wanting to play with color and all modes of self expression. Over the decades up to this very moment you bring life into so many souls, inspiring the creative and curious mind to start, grow and dive in to their creative selves. You have shown us a most beautiful array of books, inspiring and reminding us to utilize our past, present and future curiosities in Art on all levels in order to wake up the heart, challange the mind, not giving up, creating an art treasure chest to look back thru one's beauties they've collected that mean so much over the years and most of All.... You might not even know how important it is; having a Wendy in our lives to Remind us all that when going through ups, downs, and dead still creative stops, to go back in time and to look thru all kinds of things that create movement, inspiration, and get the creative process going if stuck or bursting forth to make something inside of you come alive. This is the BEST video! Thank you from my heart. 💖 Oh! And the music at the end is fantastic. The way you ended the video was wonderful!!!! 🎶🎶💃💃🎨

Thank you Wendy. I really enjoyed that. I love the way you call some of your books ‘ juicy’ . It is an apt description! Listening to your recent videos I think your light is shining more brightly of late. I’m so pleased you are sounding more enthusiastic and inspired. ✨🌞 Long may it continue Wendy. X

This is SO helpful, thank you! I really appreciate art books and all of these look great. The Degas book looks good, and the Klimt one does too. Love the movie books, great idea! Thank you for sharing this. That Princess and the Pea bought back happy memories and bought a lump to my throat.

I love the outtakes! 😀 Very fun to see what books inspire you. I have been really inspired by Danny Gregory, the guy who co-founded Sketchbook Skool, fun online art classes that I've taken. He hand letters and illustrates his gorgeous books, many of which are to encourage others to explore their creativity. I am a writer first and foremost and I'd always loved art but didn't think I could do it. His early books (The Creative License and Everyday Matters) inspired me and showed me how to start. Making art has enriched my life so much, and helps me be creative in a different way than my writing does.

Loved your vlog! And I own a few of those books too! Also, I just picked up a book at a second hand shop called The Artist's Journey by the same author as The War of Art! Looking forward to starting it! AND my friend texted me last week that she had The War of Art for me!!!! Yay! Looking forward to the read! I love, love, love books....especially previously loved ones!! And I love art, and painting and photography!!! Also, dear one, just wanted to say how wonderfully happy you look! You seem so refreshed and cheerful ! thank you for sharing your love of these books!!

What a lovely video. Lot of inspiration there. I have quite a collection of books, mostly about watercolour techniques and journaling. I find it fascinating how different everyone's style is. I'm always drawn to nature and garden diaries, starting with the Edwardian Lady ones years ago and many others since then. If I could only keep a few it would have to be the Sara Midda ones. So much detail packed into those tiny pages.