The Best Books on Drawing Landscapes

The Advantages of Sketching
The Advantages of Sketching Landscapes

Drawing landscapes is an inseparable part of our artistic lives. We have a natural urge to capture the world surrounding us, whether we talk about desolate fields or a busted metropolis. This is why a lot of explanatory books and instructional guides on how to draw some realistic and vivid landscapes have made their appearance over the last years. Here is a list of the best books on drawing landscapes in 2020.

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Drawing & Painting Trees in the Landscape by Claudia Nice

Bestselling author Claudia Nice has created a drawing and painting book for every landscape artist out there. Being a world-class pen and ink artist and having written 12 successful books related to painting, Claudia Nice prides herself on creating a book that can provide artists with all the necessary background in order to create some beautiful landscapes. Claudia starts with some basic techniques, including a thorough guide through breaking down reference photos. She then moves on a step-by-step guide towards creating the perfect artwork. Click here to visit Amazon to find her book.

”Drawing & Painting Trees in the Landscape” is a book based on the personal experience and success of its author. Apart from being an artist, Claudia is also a successful teacher and author in the U.S. Her studio in Oregon gathers students from all over the world, and her popularity among the art world is nowadays more apparent than ever. Fine artists and decorative painters reach out to her for some guidance, and she is always there to help.

Her latest book is a studio essential for every new or professional artist, and it covers a variety of techniques, tips, advice, and little secrets. By spending some time with this book, you will be able to learn some exciting drawing, sketching, and painting techniques in order to map out some successful compositions.

The book also provides a great variety of basic tree shapes for you to use as an example. More than 40 types of trees, including hardwoods, conifers, and deciduous, are part of this book. It also features some step-by-step instructions that will help you focus on some crucial details while drawing. For example, aged mossy trunks or the vivid shapes of bare branches are covered thoroughly in the book. Moreover, Claudia makes sure that she gives you a pretty good idea of the most auspicious color mixes for painting different types of landscape elements, from the various greens of plants to the sift and vivid pastels of blossoms.

Claudia uses a lot of different techniques when she is drawing and painting a landscape. In her book, she tries to share her knowledge with everyone, and impart skills, such as using simple watercolor, adding details with ink or using acrylics successfully, to every artist.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

”Drawing & Painting Trees in the Landscape” is suitable for every landscape artist wishing to deepen his skills and knowledge. Whatever your level of experience is, you can benefit from this book. Whether you want to to paint some beautiful landscapes during your next journey or just capture the trees and spring blossoms of your backyard, this book is a great option. Moreover, it can benefit any professional landscape artist struggling to make his journal's sketches a bit more vivid and realistic.

Essential Techniques of Landscape Drawing: Master the Concepts and Methods for Observing and Rendering Nature by Suzanne Brooker

As the name of the book implies, it teaches artists of different experience levels the principles of drawing landscapes. Being a step-by-step guide that includes lots of analytical techniques, fundamental methods, and artistic approaches, this book has it all. Click here to visit Amazon Book Store.

The language of the book is easy to understand, and the various examples help the reader grasp the whole spirit of the author right from the very start. The book also gives the technical background needed to fully understand the terms associated with different drawing methods.

Suzanne Brooker has dedicated her entire life and career to art-making. Being both a studio artist and an educator, Suzanne is the ideal candidate for providing the public with an instructional landscape art book. The book starts with a short introduction to materials, giving proper notice to graphite pencil, which, in fact, is the primary medium used in her book. There is also a small discussion of colored pencils, pastel, water-soluble pencils, and charcoal.

As you navigate through the inner parts of the book, you will have the chance to learn the essential elements of elements. Readers will become accustomed to details, including line, value, and form, and the various examples and techniques the book includes will help you improve your overall drawing skills.

This guide book breaks down the otherwise complex subject of the natural landscape to its various elements, like the water, earth, air, and plants. That way, the reader will become familiar with each element separately, and he will have no difficulty in combing that knowledge in order to create the perfect artwork.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Being a simple yet thorough step-by-step guide on the subject of natural landscape drawing, this book is ideal for every amateur artist out there. The book is really explanatory and easy to understand, and most importantly, it covers some of the most basic fundamentals of drawing, in general. Therefore, even if you are not entirely sure that you wish to focus on landscape drawing, you can benefit a lot from using this book as part of your studio tools.

Creating Textured Landscapes with Pen, Ink, and Watercolor by Claudia Nice

An excellent reference book for sketching with ink and pen textures and painting with watercolors, it is no wonder that Claudia Nice has done it again. She has provided artists with the perfect studio tool for improving their skills and making their artworks look all the more rich and alive. Known for her years of experience as both an artist, author, and teacher, Claudia Nice is the perfect instructor when it comes to creating textured landscapes. With clear instructions, using basic texturing techniques, and lots of illustrations, Claudia has created a book that can teach you a lot. Click here to view this book on Amazon.

The goal of the artist was to create a manual that contains all of her favorite techniques and step-by-step demonstrations that will help you add some richness, depth, and textured detail to your final piece of artwork. As you open the guide and start following the instructions, tips, and simple steps it contains, you will learn to recreate all of the textural elements with vivacity and liveliness. Some of the most impressive chapters include simple steps on how to draw some creative hills, mountains, and skies, texturing trees and foliage, as well as vivid textures for falls, lakes, seas, and rivers.

Within a particular section, Claudia gives instructions concerning some basic texturing techniques. With the use of small demos that include lines, dots, stamping, printing, and scribbling, Claudia tries to teach her readers how to draw some artistic environmental elements that can boost the image of the whole artwork. In order to help you, even more, to fully understand each technique in the book, Claudia uses several reference photos, sketches, and demonstrations.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

”Creating Textured Landscapes with Pen, Ink, and Watercolor” is a great instructional book for both newbies and professionals landscape artists. If you are new in the field of trying to depict our surrounding environment, then you can benefit from the bright, illustrative, and demonstrative step-by-step techniques the book includes. If, on the other hand, you have years of experience in the whole painting and drawing field, you can give your artworks the boost they are in need of to make them stand out even more. The book is based on the use of both pen, ink, and watercolor.

The Urban Sketcher: Techniques for Seeing and Drawing on Location by Marc Taro Holmes

Marc Taro Holmes is a famous artist, designer, and art director. With over 18 years of experience in the art field and a founding member of a non-profit organization named UrbanSketchers.org. Marc has tried hard to promote the beauty of sketching and drawing. Apart from all this, Marc is also an artist member of companies, like Microsoft and Disney. Among his latest creations, Marc wished to offer the public a book dedicated to beginners and intermediate sketchers from all over the world. His vast experience and passion for drawing led him to create a book that promises to help readers capture the beauty and bustle of life in their own town. Click here to find out more on Amazon.

Marc tries hard to teach you and inspire in you the excitement he himself feels while sketching. Via his book, the reader can get inspired by his numerous creative prompts and attempt to create expressive drawings and sketches using both ink, pen, pencil, or even watercolor. The book covers a variety of drawing subjects, like practical advice for capturing people, achieving a balance of spontaneity and speed, as well as creating storytelling portraits, and even graphic novels.

The book focuses on letting the artist express his passion for the urban environment that surrounds our everyday lives. For this reason, it gives the readers all the tools, tips, and advice they are in need of in order to draw on location in their towns, cities, villages, or travel destinations.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

”The Urban Sketcher” is ideal for every modern sketcher. Whether you are a seasoned artist or it is your hobby to capture simple everyday moments in your city or village, then this book can move your work a step forward. Suitable for both newbies and intermediate level artists, with some experience in the field of sketching, the book goes from introducing you to the beauty of urban sketching to the application of specific techniques and principles that will boost your final work. Beginners will find this book particularly enlightening thanks to its ability to break down complex concepts into simplified shapes, angles, and colors.

Landscape Drawing in Pencil by Frank M. Rines

This book on landscape drawing provided by Frank M. Rines is an excellent guide to pencil drawing. It starts with teaching landscape artists some primary and basic techniques, giving individual notice to the most important component, the stroke. It gradually progresses towards giving the reader a better understanding of the perspective, the texture, as well as the contrast and focal point of each drawing. There are some special sections focusing on particular objects and shapes, like cottages, lanes, and various types of trees. Visit Amazon to read to lastest reviews about this book.

Frank M. Rines was a talented American painter and author. He was also a teacher at the Massachusetts School of Art for many years. His focus was mainly on the use of graphite and watercolor, and during his career and life, he published 5 instructional books in the field of landscape drawing. His works are nowadays, part of various museums, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Library of Congress. His years of experience teaching students of different levels of expertise in painting have made Frank a real guru, and that has made his every book a must-have guidance tool.

The book contains 36 sketches ranging from English castles to bridges, and the accompanying text promises to help artists make their own pencil drawings with the use of some fundamental rules. The book intends to make you slow down and consider carefully what exactly you wish to create as a landscape artist.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Landscape Drawing in Pencil” is not a step-by-step book. Therefore, it doesn't really teach you the basic fundamentals of drawing in pencil from the very start. A beginner may find it a bit difficult to follow the points of this book, and therefore, it is more suitable for the already established artists. The book is also an excellent reference for those seeking effective ways to enrich their ideas and create artworks of high-quality and, most importantly, full of vivacity, inspiration, and depth.

How To Draw Perspective by Mark Bergin

A clear, concise, and analytical book on the basic concept of learning how to draw perspective, this guide is an excellent option for everyone. The ideas explained in the book are clear, uncomplicated, and logically arranged. The book covers every aspect of perspective drawing, including fundamental concepts like vanishing point and horizon lines. Beginning with an introduction to the meaning of perspective, the book quickly moves forward into presenting you several sub-subjects of the topic, like changing viewpoints, light and shades, distance and height, as well as reflections and the difference between looking up or down. Visit Amazon to find out more about this book.

Since the book focuses solely on perspective, it naturally takes some things for granted. For example, in one unit, the author is telling you how to add in your artwork the same person at different locations, by scaling up or down the size of it. That is a pretty thorough step-by-step guide on changing the angle and angle of the drawing, but it takes for granted that you know how to draw a realistic person. Apart from people, however, the book focuses on the perspective of different animals, objects, and even sceneries.

Mark Bergin is a word-class illustrator, designer, and writer. He has illustrated a considerable variety of books, particularly for young readers, and has broad expertise in technology and aviation. His significant experience and talent have been shared with the world through his picture books. Some of these, including the ”How To Draw Perspective”, have gained the love and admiration of the public thanks to its simple and yet impressive way of describing this complicated concept to everyone.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

The book is a step-by-step guide suitable for every newbie in the drawing field. Although no previous experience related to the whole perspective point is required, some basic drawing background will help you grasp the entire philosophy of the book quickly enough. In fact, the book aims to help any budding artist out there master the art of drawing perspective.

Drawing Nature for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Drawing Landscapes &Nature by Mark & Mary Willenbrink.

”Drawing Nature for the Absolute Beginner” promises to help you draw nature quickly and thoroughly. As the name itself implies, the book starts with some fundamental concepts and techniques you need to master before moving on to deeper waters. Gradually, the terms and techniques it uses become more complicated in order to allow everyone sufficient time to become familiar with this new hobby. The teaching style is amusing and friendly. After all, Mark and Mary really know how to capture the environment surrounding us in the most creative way. Click here to view on Amazon.

Mark and Mary Willenbrink have been working together in the whole writing industry for years. Mark is a fine artist, and over the last years, he has been a teacher in various classes and workshops. Mary is an author sharing the fundamentals of art Mark has brought into their shared life. The result coming from their combination could be nothing less than pure creativity and originality. In order to get started with the book, you will only need some basic supplies and a lot of desire.

This guide to drawing landscapes contains some impressive illustrations and demonstrations that will help you draw nature scenes. From forests and large fields to sandy beaches and mountains, the book includes a vast variety of topics. You will even manage to learn how to bring your favorite animal species into life. Moreover, some key concepts, including perspective, composition, and value, will be explained. The authors give individual notice to tips and straightforward advice that can boost any artist's final work of art, provided that he puts his talent, inspiration, and effort into creating it.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

This book is excellent for every beginner wishing to learn how to draw a variety of different concepts using certain pencil types. The sketches in the book are really helpful, and the instructions provided are easy-to-follow and digestible, as well. No drawing background is required if you wish to use this book as your guide towards unfolding your talent. However, even if you have are an intermediate level artist, you can still benefit, particularly by reading the last chapters of the book, which cover some more complicated concepts.

Drawing Masterclass: Landscapes by Margaret Eggleton

Margaret Eggleton has combined writing and drawing almost all her life. She was a teacher in various schools for years, and she is currently teaching in some adult classes. Her passion for painting and drawing and her love for Mother nature has led Margaret to create an instructional book devoted to every fellow artist out there. Her latest book ”Drawing Masterclass: Landscapes” consists of 6 large step-by-step projects. In the book, Margaret tries to share not only her expertise but her passion for drawing, as well. To find out more click this link to visit Amazon.

The guide book includes advice and fascinating tips and tricks on various concepts and terms, including learning the meaning of perspective, line, and shades. Margaret focused her book on the environment, and therefore, the basic idea here is to help artists develop their skills in drawing landscapes. From simple elements, like trees, plants, and foliage to more complex terms, like vivid skies and even buildings, Margaret is careful to gradually increase the level of difficulty. That way, you will never feel overwhelmed while reading her book.

Although the language used in this book is simple enough and so is the use of illustrations, the book aims to inspire different levels of artists, both professional and amateurs. Most importantly, Margaret wishes to inspire in you the same passion she experiences while drawing as this is considered the true key to success.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

”Drawing Masterclass: Landscapes” is an excellent choice for every modern landscape painter out there. Whether you are new to the whole painting and drawing field or you are a professional painter, you can find something beneficial if you study this book for a while.

Being a combination of simple ideas and expert advice, it is no wonder that the book has caught the attention of various artists nowadays. Even professional artists can benefit from studying this book since it covers some pretty complicated ideas towards the latest chapters.

How to Sketch Landscapes: Beginner's Drawing Tip & Quick Landscape Sketching Exercises by Liron Yanconsky

”How to Sketch Landscapes” is dedicated to every beginner sketcher out there who may feel a bit confused at first and wishes to receive some efficient and straightforward guidance. The book contains both theoretical and practical advice on various topics around sketching. It is there to inspire you, make you realize your potential and give you that initial boost you are in need of right now. Based on the author's personal perspective on the whole sketching field, the book wishes to inspire in you the same passion Liron feels while drawing. Click here to visit Amazon and read the latest review.

After all, Liron Yanconsky is a true believer of the whole ”anyone can do it” approach. That exact belief of his resides in every single page of his book, and that actually turns the book from a simple step-by-step guide into something deeper; something that can awaken your inner passion and bonfire and make you ready to become the best sketcher out there. When you open his book, you will first meet an introductory set of pages focused on teaching you the basic mindset of sketching.

Some pretty cool tips and exercises follow up, and Liron closes this great book with his personal approach to teaching sketching. The same method is used by the author in his teaching classes. Liron is a self-taught artist and author who is continually polishing his sketching and drawing skills. His 11 books published so far, are the proof that everyone can achieve great things even when he is self-taught.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

‘How to Sketch Landscapes” is suitable for every landscape artist wishing to deepen his skills and knowledge. The book is based on the self-taught effort of a fellow artist to inspire in you the same passion he feels while sketching.

Whether you wish to sketch some beautiful landscapes during your next journey or just capture the trees and plants of your backyard, this book is a great option. Moreover, it will not only improve your sketching skills, but it will also make you feel more appreciative of your skills and talent.

Landscape drawing and painting are definitely among the most popular types of artworks we meet in various collections. Nature surrounds our lives and grows along with us. People have learned how to pay nature respect, and they have tried to bring the environment in their daily lives for centuries.

Creating an inspiring and original landscape can really boost your whole painting career and make you stand out. Those were the best books that are available on the market, and that can really help you move your talent and knowledge one step forward. After all, success is not only a matter of expertise and skills, but it is based on proper guidance, as well.

Create Art With My Favourite Drawing Resources

General Drawing Courses. I like Udemy if you want to develop your knowledge of drawing techniques. Udemy is an excellent choice due to its wide range of creative courses and excellent refund policy. They often have monthly discounts for new customers, which you can check here. Use my link.

Sketching and Collage. Take a look at this sketching resource I have created. Use this link.

Proko. Is one of my favorite teachers who surpasses in the teaching of Anatomy and Figure drawing. Prokos course breaks down the drawing of the human body into easy-to-follow components aiding the beginner to make rapid progress. For this, I really like Proko.

Art Easels. One of my favorite ways to draw is by using a drawing easel, which develops the skill of drawing on a vertical surface. The H frame easel is an excellent vertical way to add variety to the style and type of marks you create when using a drawing board.

To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource I made for you.

Ian

Ian Walsh is the creator and author of improvedrawing.com and an Art teacher based in Merseyside in the United Kingdom. He holds a BA in Fine Art and a PGCE in teaching Art and Design. He has been teaching Art for over 24 Years in different parts of the UK. When not teaching Ian spending his time developing this website and creating content for the improvedrawing channel.

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The Best Books on Drawing Landscapes