Business & Career: Creativity & Inspiration
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards – Paperback: 320 pages; Tarcher Perigee; 4th edition (Apr 26, 2012 Best Seller

A revised edition of the classic bestselling how to draw book. A life-changing book, this fully revised and updated edition of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is destined to inspire generations of readers and artists to come.

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron – Hardcover: 272 pages; J.P. Tarcher/Putnam; 10th anniversary edition (Mar 18, 2002) Best Seller

“THE ARTIST’S WAY by Julia Cameron is not exclusively about writing—it is about discovering and developing the artist within whether a painter, poet, screenwriter or musician—but it is a lot about writing. If you have always wanted to pursue a creative dream, have always wanted to play and create with words or paints, this book will gently get you started and help you learn all kinds of paying-attention techniques; and that, after all, is what being an artist is all about. It’s about learning to pay attention.” --Anne Lamott, Mademoiselle

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity – Audio Cassette (Jun 1997) Putnam Pub Group (Audio) Best Seller


Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist by Carol Marine – Paperback: 192 pages; Watson-Guptill (Nov 4, 2014) Best Seller

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.

Old Masters and Young Geniuses: The Two Life Cycles of Artistic Creativity by David W. Galenson – Hardcover: 252 pages; Princeton University Press (Dec 27, 2005)


On Becoming an Artist: Reinventing Yourself Through Mindful Creativity by Ellen Langer – Hardcover: 288 pages; Ballantine Books (Mar 1, 2005)

What keeps us from becoming the artists we dream of being and living our lives to the fullest? Langer (Mindfulness), a professor of psychology at Harvard, shares her own journey as an untaught painter, casually scattering the names of friends and describing her own somewhat unsophisticated choices of subject matter. But her approach is also scientific: without becoming overly technical, she deftly weaves into her own story a wide variety of studies that examine the obstacles ordinary people put in the way of their own creativity. This isn't a collection of exercises or even an inspirational book as much as a gradual breaking down of what holds people back from living mindfully— fully present in the moment. Langer encourages her readers to recognize how fear of judgment, unnecessary self-comparisons and preconceived notions about talent impede artistic expression. Art, in her view, is a process rather than a product. And the very things that make the act of creating satisfying in itself —working in the moment, freeing oneself from judgment—also, she says, make for better art and a better life. Langer's work will strike some as a bit naïve—does she believe "real" artists are never self-critical? Still, Langer has much to say that's useful on art as self-revealing and life-enhancing that will inspire many readers. —Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Yin/Yang of Painting: A Contemporary Master Reveals the Secrets of Painting Found in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Hongnian Zhang, Lois Woolley

Highly recommended by Gisele Zeitler on the SOG Portrait Artist Forum.

Through the harmonious balancing of opposites, the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin yang is beautifully applied to the art of painting in an illuminating, results-oriented instructional for artists of all levels. According to this time-honored system, successful art is based on balanced energies and the control of contrasting elements within a work. This remarkably simple approach is presented in two seamless parts. Part One examines the traditional elements of painting-from value (light/dark) and texture (thick/thin) to color (warm/cold) and brushwork (sharp/blurred)-as evolving from a true balance of opposites. Part Two's step-by-step demonstrations focus on major genres of painting-still life, landscape, and the figure-employing all the yin-yang principles for the completion of successful paintings.

Drawing on the Artist Within Paperback: 256 pages; Fireside; Fireside edition (Apr 6, 1987)

Whether you are a business manager, teacher, writer, technician, or student, you'll find Drawing on the Artist Within the most effective program ever created for tapping your creative powers. Profusely illustrated with hundreds of instructional drawings and the work of master artists, this book is written for people with no previous experience in art.

Painters' Wild Workshop: 12 Master Artists Help Expand Your Creativity by Lynn Leon Loscutoff – Hardcover: 144 pages; Rockport Publishers (Mar 1999)

Have you ever wished for more time to experiment and play in the studio? With this book, you can begin today. In these pages, Lynn Leon Loscutoff presents the work of twelve gifted artists and invites you for private lessons in expanding your creativity. Whether you are an accomplished artist, an aspiring artist, or an undiscovered artist, you will profit from the wealth of diverse experiences, materials, and inspirations offered through the wonderfully wild creative methods illustrated in Painter's Wild Workshop.

The Yoga of Drawing: Uniting Body, Mind, and Spirit in the Art of Drawing by Jeanne Carbonetti – Paperback: 112 pages; Watson-Guptill (May 1999)


Creative Discoveries in Watermedia by Pat Dews – Hardcover: 128 pages; North Light Books; 1st edition (Aug 1998)

Author's statement: Let me show you how to make exciting, experimental starts and most importantly, how to finish them. My methods take the fear out of painting. There are no failures; only new paintings! I show you clearly how to use thirty-two techniques to create patterns and textures that will bring your paintings to conclusion. You will have fun and enjoy the experience of painting. —Pat Dews AWS, NWS.

The Tao of Watercolor: A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting by Jeanne Carbonetti – Paperback: 112 pages; Watson-Guptill (May 1998)


Leonardo's Ink Bottle: The Artist's Way of Seeing by Roberta Weir – Paperback: 192 pages; Celestial Arts (Apr 1998)


Trust the Process: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go by Shaun McNiff – Paperback: 240 pages; Shambhala Publications; 1st edition (Mar 1998)

This inspirational book expands the reader's view of what it means to live in tune with the labyrinthine ways of the creative spirit, which mysteriously works its magic when we relinquish ego control and "trust the process.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook by Betty Edwards – Paperback: 320 pages; Tarcher Perigee; 4th edition (Apr 26, 2012

A fully revised and updated edition of the essential companion to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain--over half of the exercises are new!

Art Before Breakfast: A Zillion Ways to be More Creative No Matter How Busy You Are by Danny Gregory – Flexibound: 160 pages; Chronicle Books (Feb 17, 2015) Best Seller

Packed with the signature can-do attitude that makes beloved artist Danny Gregory a creativity guru to thousands across the globe, this unique guide serves up a hearty helping of inspiration. For aspiring artists who want to draw and paint but just can't seem to find time in the day, Gregory offers 5– to 10–minute exercises for every skill level that fit into any schedule—whether on a plane, in a meeting, or at the breakfast table—along with practical instruction on techniques and materials, plus strategies for making work that's exciting, unintimidating, and fulfilling.

No More Secondhand Art: Awakening the Artist Within by Peter London – Paperback: 190 pages; Shambhala Publications (Nov 1989)


Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (And Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles (Introduction), Ted Orland – Paperback: 122 pages; Image Continuum Press; 1st edition (Apr 1, 2001)

Read a discussion on my Portrait Artist Forum regarding an earlier edition of this book.

The author, Ted Orland , June 1, 1997 This book is written by working artists, for working artists Art & Fear is a book about the way art gets made, the reasons it often does not get made, and about the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The authors (David Bayles & Ted Orland) are both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Do not mistake Art & Fear for a pop psychology self-help book—we are not interested in freeing your inner child! What we have tried to do is illuminate the obstacles you face, and offer some artistic strategies for getting past them. Art & Fear has never been advertised and was never reviewed by a major publication, but it has nonetheless become something of an underground classic in the three years since it was published. Our distributor says it has become required reading for at least a few hundred university art courses across the country.

How to Discover Your Personal Painting Style by D. P. Richards – Hardcover: 144 pages; North Light Books (Sep 1995)

In this artist's manual, Richards, an award-winning painter who works in several media, shifts the focus from technique to personal style. Above all, he encourages the reader to develop a personal point of view and a vision to impart through art. The middle section of the book comprises exercises on line, value, color, movement, balance, focus, and space, with the emphasis on concepts such as the emotional power of varying lines and the surface feeling that differing paint applications produce. A final chapter on the works of 31 artists and their emotional impact pulls the book together. Highly recommended to balance more technical books like Hazel Harrison's How To Paint & Draw (Smithmark Pub., 1994). —Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Amherst, Mass. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Zen of Creative Painting: An Elegant Design for Revealing Your Muse by Jeanne Carbonetti – Paperback: 112 pages; Watson-Guptill (Oct 1998)


Painting from the Source: Awakening the Artist's Soul in Everyone by Aviva Gold, Elena Oumano – Paperback: 222 pages; Harper Perennial Library; 1st edition (Oct 1998)


Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius by Michael Michalko – Hardcover: 352 pages; Ten Speed Press (Jul 1998)


Life, Paint and Passion: Reclaiming the Magic of Spontaneous Expression by Michelle Cassou, Stewart Cubley – Paperback: 186 pages; J P Tarcher (Jan 1996)


Fearless Creating: A Step-By-Step Guide to Starting and Completing Your Work of Art by Eric Maisel – Paperback: 267 pages; Putnam Publishing Group (Oct 1995)


Bringing the Pleasure of Artistic Expression Back into Your Life by Sally Warner – Paperback: 213 pages; Chicago Review Press (May 1994)

This book offers constructive advice for artists who are becoming discouraged or feel stalled and those who yearn to rekindle their passion for making art.

The Creative Artist: A Fine Artist's Guide to Expanding Your Creativity and Achieving Your Artistic Potential by Nita Leland – Paperback Reprint edition (Mar 1993) North Light Books


The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards, Ph.D. – Paperback: 320 pages; Tarcher; Rev & Expanded edition (Aug 30, 1999)

Over the last decade, Dr. Edwards has refined her material through teaching hundreds of workshops and seminars. Truly The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, this edition includes:

• the very latest developments in brain research;
• new material on using drawing techniques in the corporate
  world and in education;
• instruction on self-expression through drawing;
• an updated section on using color; and
• detailed information on using the five basic skills of drawing for problem solving.

Affirmations for Artists by Eric Maisel – Paperback: 224 pages; Putnam's Sons (Sep 1996)

Creativity requires introspection, self-examination, and a willingness to take risks. Because of this, artists are perhaps more susceptible to self-doubt and despair than those who do not court the creative muses. This book of affirmations is compiled with the special needs of artistic persons in mind.


** In order to ensure that A Stroke of Genius receives credit for your order you will need to start your shopping session from our book pages.
Any qualifying item you place in your shopping cart within 24 hours following your entry from A Stroke of Genius will be credited to
us if the purchase is made within 90 days. Credit will not be given for items already in your cart from a previous visit.


DISCLAIMER: There are many books where Amazon does not have a cover image and we have searched the web to find one. We have made
every effort to accurately represent books and their covers. However, we are not responsible for any variations from the cover displayed.


 


Search Amazon for other books or any products below!








© 1996 - Artist works, scans and web design protected by copyright.
Site designed by A Stroke of Genius, Inc.