Best Book for Drawing: Pick the Right One (And Actually Improve)
The best book for drawing for most people is Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. It is the fastest way I know to get past “I can’t draw” and start seeing shapes, edges, and spaces like an artist.
That said, one book will not fit everyone. Some people want step-by-step lessons. Others want figure drawing. Some want to draw comics. This guide helps you pick the right book for your goal, then use it in a way that gets results.
TL;DR: – The best book for drawing for most beginners is Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (great for learning to see and draw what is really there).
- If you want daily practice, get Keys to Drawing. It is simple, friendly, and easy to stick with.
- If your goal is realistic figure drawing, pick Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth (classic, serious, and very useful).
- If you want fun, clear lessons, Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner is the easiest on-ramp.
Best book for drawing (quick picks by goal)
If you want the fastest answer, use this list and move on.
- Best overall for beginners: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (Betty Edwards)
- Best for building a daily habit: Keys to Drawing (Bert Dodson)
- Best for realistic figure drawing: Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth (Andrew Loomis)
- Best for super-beginner step-by-step: Drawing for Absolute and Utter Beginner (Claire Watson Garcia)
- Best for “learn to draw anything” basics: Drawing the Head and Hands (Andrew Loomis)
You can get good with any of these. The “best” one is the one you will actually use.
How I picked these books (so you can trust the list)
A drawing book is only helpful if it does at least one of these jobs well:
- Teaches you how to see (proportion, angles, negative space)
- Gives you a clear practice plan (not just pretty pictures)
- Explains mistakes (so you fix them instead of repeating them)
- Works without fancy tools (pencil and paper is enough)
- Fits your goal (faces, people, cartoons, realism)
I also picked books that have been around long enough to prove they work. Trends come and go. Solid drawing skills do not.
The 5 best drawing books (real talk reviews)
1) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (Betty Edwards)
Best for: beginners who feel stuck, people who “can’t draw,” adults returning to art
This book is famous for a reason. It helps you stop drawing symbols (like a “cartoon eye”) and start drawing what you actually see. The exercises are simple, but they can feel weird at first. That is a good sign.
What you will get good at:
- Drawing what’s in front of you, not what you “think” is there
- Proportion and placement
- Contour lines and basic shading
Pros
- Clear exercises with a purpose
- Big confidence boost when you do the assignments
- Great for self-teaching
Cons
- Some parts feel a little “classroom”
- If you hate exercises, you might resist it
Who should buy it: If you want one book that changes how you see, start here.
2) Keys to Drawing (Bert Dodson)
Best for: people who want steady progress, sketchers, anyone who needs structure
This is the book I recommend when someone says, “I just want to get better, but I don’t know what to practice.” It is calm, practical, and packed with bite-size lessons.
What you will get good at:
- Measuring and comparing shapes
- Drawing from life (plants, objects, rooms)
- Building a sketching routine
Pros
- Easy to follow
- Great prompts and drills
- Less intimidating than most art books
Cons
- Not focused on comics or stylized art
- Figure drawing is not the main focus
Who should buy it: If you want a simple plan you can stick to, this is your book.
3) Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth (Andrew Loomis)
Best for: realistic people, anatomy basics, classic art training
Loomis is old-school, and that is a compliment. This book is serious. It teaches structure, proportion, and how the body works in space. If your goal is to draw people well, this is a strong pick.
What you will get good at:
- Human proportion
- Mannequin forms (simple shapes for the body)
- Poses that feel solid, not flat
Pros
- Very strong fundamentals
- Clear drawings and explanations
- Useful for artists at many levels
Cons
- Can feel dense
- Not “cute” or quick
Who should buy it: If you want to draw people and you are ready to study.
4) Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner (Claire Watson Garcia)
Best for: total beginners, nervous starters, people who want gentle steps
This one is friendly. It does not talk down to you, but it keeps things easy. If you freeze up when you see a blank page, this book helps you move.
What you will get good at:
- Basic shapes and shading
- Simple still-life drawings
- Starting and finishing small drawings
Pros
- Very approachable
- Quick wins early
- Good pacing
Cons
- You may outgrow it faster
- Not as “skill-dense” as Loomis or Edwards
Who should buy it: If you want the easiest entry point, start here.
5) Drawing the Head and Hands (Andrew Loomis)
Best for: portraits, faces, hands, character artists who want realism
Heads and hands are where drawings often fall apart. This book gives you a clear way to build them with structure. It is a classic for a reason.
What you will get good at:
- Head construction (turning the head in space)
- Facial features that sit correctly
- Hands that do not look like “mittens”
Pros
- Very practical
- Great reference drawings
- Helps a lot with likeness
Cons
- Hands still take time (no book can “fix” them fast)
- Not a full drawing course by itself
Who should buy it: If portraits are your goal, this is the cleanest upgrade.
Comparison table: which book should you buy?
| Book | Best for | Teaching style | Difficulty | Best if you have 15 min/day? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain | Learning to see, confidence | Exercises + explanations | Medium | Yes, if you follow the tasks |
| Keys to Drawing | Daily practice, observation | Short lessons + drills | Easy-Medium | Yes, perfect fit |
| Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth | Realistic bodies | Classic study approach | Medium-Hard | Yes, but needs focus |
| Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner | Total beginners | Step-by-step lessons | Easy | Yes, very doable |
| Drawing the Head and Hands | Portraits + hands | Construction methods | Medium | Yes, in small chunks |
How to use a drawing book so it actually works
Buying the book is the easy part. The win is using it the right way.
A simple 4-week plan (no fancy schedule)
Week 1: Do the easiest lessons only
- Pick 3 exercises you can finish
- Repeat one of them twice
- Keep drawings small so you finish
Week 2: Add measuring
- Practice comparing angles and lengths
- Draw the same object from two spots in the room
Week 3: Add light and shadow
- Use one lamp
- Draw one object with 3 values: light, mid, dark
Week 4: Mix it
- 2 days from the book
- 2 days drawing from life
- 1 day “fun drawing” with no rules
The “one pencil” rule (stops overthinking)
Use one pencil, one sketchbook, and no eraser for the first 10 minutes. When you remove choices, you draw more. When you draw more, you improve faster.
What to avoid when picking a drawing book
Some books look great and still waste your time.
- “How to draw cool stuff” books with no fundamentals. Fun, but you hit a wall fast.
- Books that only show finished art. You need process, not just results.
- Anatomy books that read like a medical class. Great later. Rough at the start.
- Too many tools and materials. Start with pencil and paper. Upgrade later.
My honest recommendation (pick a side)
If you can only buy one, get Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. It fixes the biggest beginner problem: not seeing correctly.
If you already draw a little and just want steady improvement, get Keys to Drawing. It is the easiest to keep using week after week.
If your obsession is people, go Loomis. You will not regret it, but you have to do the work.
Quick FAQ
What is the best drawing book for beginners?
For most beginners, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the best starting point because it trains observation and proportion.
What if I want to draw cartoons or comics?
Start with strong basics first, then shift to stylized work. A lot of “comic style” improves fast when your heads, hands, and poses are solid. Drawing the Head and Hands helps a ton.
Do I need to finish the whole book?
No. Finish the exercises that target your weak spots. Repeating 5 great lessons beats skimming 200 pages.
Your next step (simple CTA)
Pick one book from the table, then do 20 minutes today. Not tomorrow. Today. Start with the first exercise you can finish in one sitting, and keep the drawing small.