Do you love digital art? If so, check out our list of the best digital art books! These books are perfect for artists who want to learn more about digital art and improve their skills.
We’ve reviewed books on a variety of topics, including digital painting, concept art, and illustration. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, find the perfect book for your bookcase.
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Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting on Procreate
If you’re new to digital painting, then the Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting on Procreate is a great place to start. This book covers everything from getting started with Procreate to digital painting techniques. You’ll learn how to use the Procreate brushes and tools, create digital paintings step-by-step. Build confidence in creating layers, using colours and gestures to create your desired results.
Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop
If you’re interested in digital painting and Photoshop is your program of choice, then the Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop is a must read. This book covers all the basics of digital painting, including working with layers, brushes, and colours. You’ll also learn how to create digital paintings step-by-step, so you’ll be on your way to creating pixel perfect masterpieces in no time. Get a comprehensive insight into how to paint specific facial features and environments using textured brushes. For example, the book includes guides on how to paint rocks, waterfalls, shiny metal, leather, eyes and mouths.
Fundamentals of Character Design
This book focuses on creating characters illustration, animation and visual development. Aside from covering the basics of character design, like how to draw visual aspects such as shape and proportion, this book from 3dtotal also explores the reasons behind why particular character resonate with the audience. It delves into how character designers come up with ideas to make characters unique and memorable.
Digital Painting in Photoshop
If you want to take your digital art skills to the next level, then ‘Digital Painting in Photoshop: Industry Techniques for Beginners’ is a must read. Photoshop has limitless possibilities for digital artists, in this book learn how to use Photoshop efficiently and creatively. Discover how to customise brushes, create complex layers and masks. By the end of the book, you’ll have all the skills you need to create stunning digital art.
The Art of Loish
Loish is a digital artist and illustrator who has amassed a huge following from her unique paintings. In this book, she shares her process for creating digital art and shows some of her earlier works. Plus, check out the making of two of her artworks, to see the steps that go into making the beautiful portrait paintings.
The Ultimate Concept Art Career Guide
This book will guide you through everything you need to know about a career in concept art. It contains advice from professionals in the design industry. Learn how to develop a digital art portfolio, how to grow a social media account and what to expect from an art career.
Digital Painting Techniques
This is an essential digital art book for anyone who wants to improve their digital painting skills. In this book, you’ll find advice and tips from some of the world’s best digital painters, including how to create photorealistic paintings, how to use digital painting software, and how to develop your own unique style.
If you’re looking for a digital art book that covers everything from basics to advanced techniques, then this is the book for you. This is another great book from 3dtotal publishing!
If you’re looking for more digital painting tips, check out our guide.
Drawing Basics and Video Game Art
Author Chris Solarski demonstrates classic fine art techniques and relates them to the medium of video game art. The aim of this book is to teach aspiring video game artists how to make their designs more expressive. With a focus on classic art and art techniques such as values and anatomy, Solarski inspires video game artists to consider the impact of the composition of their designs. He provides the tools to enable artists to make video game characters and environments more visually stunning.
The Animator’s Survival Kit
This is a complete guide to animation, written by Richard Williams, who was the animator behind ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ This book is for digital artists who already have basic drawing skills, who want to fully understand how the world of animation works, behind the scenes.
The book is packed with information and visual references, diagrams and images. Williams covers the fundamentals of animation. However, this would be useful for even the most experienced animator to revisit, if they want a new perspective from an award winning source.
The Art of Guweiz
Guweiz, who is known for his illustrative, anime-inspired, detailed digital artworks, takes the reader through his artistic journey. From drawing from tutorials at the age of 16, to his present day signature aesthetic. The self learning aspect of Guweiz’ art career is relatable for all beginner artists. He demonstrates how his style and skills developed over time, from his first inspirations, to establishing himself in the international art scene.
If you’re interested in seeing a successful artists’ evolution and workflow, this book gives great insight into the process. Plus, it’s filled with beautiful and inspiring digital artworks.
Sketching from the Imagination: Characters
Fifty artists share their process of creating characters from imagination, from concept to sketch. This book is great for sparking creativity and understanding how to turn an abstract idea into a successful character. It will also show you how these artists use valuable drawing techniques, such as anatomy and perspective to render the shape and form of the designs in their first sketches. This book isn’t a comprehensive guide on how to create your own character drawing from start to finish, but the sketches and processes of these talented artists can inspire you to take your own direction with character design. There are a large variety of styles and characters in this book, including animals, monsters and fantasy creatures.
Finally
If you’re looking for digital art books that are packed with inspiring digital artwork, and tips and tricks from the professionals, then these books are essential reading. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced digital artist, there’s something in these books for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Pick up one (or all) of these digital art books and start learning today!
Books can also make a great gift for digital artists. If you’re looking for other gift ideas, check out our gift guide for digital artists.
If you’re interested in brushing up on your traditional art skills, check out our review of books for artists. We also have specific reviews of the best drawing books and the best watercolour books for artists.
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