Here are 100 books that Framed Ink fans have personally recommended if you like Framed Ink. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Illusion of Life

Ron Husband Author Of Quick Sketching with Ron Husband

From my list on sketching, anatomy and animation for the artist.

Why am I passionate about this?

I've been drawing for over 68 years and carrying a sketchbook for over 60 of those years. I've seen success as an author, I'm an award-winning illustrator of books and magazines and animated many classic Disney features. Am I an expert on sketching humans and animals? ...No. I'm constantly learning in my effort to capture humans and animals in action by following the basic principles of drawing as they apply to quick sketching. My learning is aided by these books as I prepare lesson plans or the encouragement and inspiration found within their pages. I'm married to LaVonne, my high school sweetheart of 50 years, and have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Ron's book list on sketching, anatomy and animation for the artist

Ron Husband Why Ron loves this book

I was privileged to see firsthand these two Disney Legends and their passions for the craft of storytelling through animation. I worked with Frank and Ollie as a young animation trainee. I learned the basics of animation by ‘in-betweening’ scenes primarily for Frank. In addition to ‘in-betweening’ for Frank, he would give me scenes to animate under his supervision. The principles and philosophy of the ‘Disney way’ are explained within the pages of this book and I was fortunate to have absorbed them firsthand.

Applying the principles of animation that Frank and Ollie presented has had a tremendous effect on all aspects of my art. My book, my personal award-winning illustrations, and a 38-year career with the Disney Studio bear witness of putting these principles into practice.

By Frank Thomas , Ollie Johnston ,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked The Illusion of Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The most complete book on the subject ever written, this is the fascinating inside story by two long-term Disney animators of the gradual perfecting of a relatively young and particularly American art from, which no other move studio has ever been able to equal.

The authors, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, worked with Walt Disney himself as well as other leading figures in a half-century of Disney films. They personally animated leading characters in most of the famous films and have decades of close association with the others who helped perfect this extremely difficult and time-consuming art form. Not to…


If you love Framed Ink...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Book cover of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

Ali Almossawi Author Of An Illustrated Book of Loaded Language: Learn to Hear What's Left Unsaid

From my list on other subjects that will teach you how to think.

Why am I passionate about this?

When I was in middle school, I’d spend much of my time in class daydreaming. Imagining myself in, say, a debate with someone I disagree with and going through a litany of scenarios where I’d try to convince that other person to change their mind. It’s a lot of fun. (My teachers would likely disagree.) When I grew older, I did more of that on my daily walks, and then about 11 years ago, I decided to start writing about creative ways to teach someone something they’re vehemently opposed to or just ambivalent about. I’ve published four books since then on this topic.

Ali's book list on other subjects that will teach you how to think

Ali Almossawi Why Ali loves this book

I bought this book when I first got into the field of data visualization. I wasn’t planning on learning how to create comics; I just wanted to see how someone from a different discipline—a comic artist—thought about position, color, meaning, and communicating a whole lot of things in a compact format.

By Scott McCloud ,

Why should I read it?

9 authors picked Understanding Comics as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The bestselling international classic on storytelling and visual communication "You must read this book." - Neil Gaiman Praised throughout the cartoon industry by such luminaries as Art Spiegelman, Matt Groening, and Will Eisner, Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics is a seminal examination of comics art: its rich history, surprising technical components, and major cultural significance. Explore the secret world between the panels, through the lines, and within the hidden symbols of a powerful but misunderstood art form.


Book cover of Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter

Richard Yot Author Of Light for Visual Artists

From my list on light for artists.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a professional artist, and I’ve been fascinated by light and lighting for most of my life. About twenty years ago, I realized there were no books available on this subject at all and very little information around, so it was difficult to take a deep dive into the topic of light in relation to visual art. I wrote some articles on my website, which became very popular, and this resulted in a book deal with Laurence King. My book was published in 2011, and in the interim period, more books have appeared, offering a wider and more diverse range of knowledge from differing perspectives and different artists.

Richard's book list on light for artists

Richard Yot Why Richard loves this book

What I like about this book is that it gives me a different perspective on a subject that I know well—light—but it comes at it from a different angle: that of a painter using traditional media. Starting from the history and tradition of painting, topics such as color are tackled by merging scientific and artistic elements, drawing from the history of color theory to create a comprehensive whole.

Of course, the text is greatly enhanced by the dozens of wonderful illustrations created by James Gurney, which offer beautiful demonstrations of the subject matter.

By James Gurney ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Color and Light as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A researched study on two of art's most fundamental themes, Colour and Light bridges the gap between abstract theory and practical knowledge. Beginning with a survey of under appreciated masters who perfected the use of colour and light, the book examines how light reveals form, the properties of colour and pigments, and the wide variety of atmospheric effects. Gurney cuts through the confusing and contradictory dogma about colour, testing it in the light of science and observation. A glossary, pigment index, and bibliography complete what will ultimately become an indispensable tool for any artist.

This book is the second in…


If you love Marcos Mateu-Mestre...

Book cover of Memento: A Novel in Dreams, Thoughts, and Images

Memento by Cordelia Schmidt-Hellerau,

Sine, a professor of creative writing, accompanies Sam, a neuroscientist, on a conference trip to a Hotel Castle. Sam wants to present a new device, the "monitor." Sine hopes to recover from tending to her mother who just passed away. 

When they arrive, Sine is in a dream-like state. Real…

Book cover of Creative Illustration

Richard Yot Author Of Light for Visual Artists

From my list on light for artists.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a professional artist, and I’ve been fascinated by light and lighting for most of my life. About twenty years ago, I realized there were no books available on this subject at all and very little information around, so it was difficult to take a deep dive into the topic of light in relation to visual art. I wrote some articles on my website, which became very popular, and this resulted in a book deal with Laurence King. My book was published in 2011, and in the interim period, more books have appeared, offering a wider and more diverse range of knowledge from differing perspectives and different artists.

Richard's book list on light for artists

Richard Yot Why Richard loves this book

This was a book I wanted for a long time but it was out of print for decades. Finally, back in print in 2012, this has long been considered the bible for illustrators and visual artists of all stripes. Packed to the brim with useful and unique insights, this book covers figurative art comprehensively. From lighting to shadows, mood, and composition, it’s all here and explained in the clearest and most insightful way imaginable.

If ever there was a truly timeless book that explained the core principles of visual art, this is it. For me, it is an academy in itself. A book that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and reward you with fresh insights every time you pick it up.

By Andrew Loomis (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Creative Illustration as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Creative Illustration" is considered Loomis' magnum opus, which is aimed primarily at the professional-level illustrator. It's divided into seven sections: Line, Tone, Color, Telling the Story, Creating Ideas, Fields of Illustration, and Experimenting and Studies. The book is filled with instructions, tips, insider experiences, and incredible illustrations.


Book cover of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Richard Yot Author Of Light for Visual Artists

From my list on light for artists.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a professional artist, and I’ve been fascinated by light and lighting for most of my life. About twenty years ago, I realized there were no books available on this subject at all and very little information around, so it was difficult to take a deep dive into the topic of light in relation to visual art. I wrote some articles on my website, which became very popular, and this resulted in a book deal with Laurence King. My book was published in 2011, and in the interim period, more books have appeared, offering a wider and more diverse range of knowledge from differing perspectives and different artists.

Richard's book list on light for artists

Richard Yot Why Richard loves this book

When I couldn’t truly see light, I couldn’t really understand it. There is a reason why we don’t notice the subtleties of light in our everyday lives, and it’s because our brains filter it out. This book gave me a key that unlocked the art of seeing so that I could see the world as it really is rather than the simplified version that my brain presented me with.

A must for any visual artist, this book gave me the most fundamental insight that I could ever hope for: it taught me to see the world as I’d never seen it before. This was a life-changing gift.

By Betty Edwards ,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE

'You will quickly amaze and delight yourself. Hands down the best and most life-enhancing thing I've done in lockdown' India Knight, Sunday Times

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the world's most widely used drawing instruction book. Whether you are a professional, a student, or enjoy art as a hobby, Betty Edwards' practical step-by-step guide will give you greater confidence in your ability, deepen your artistic perception and provide a new way to appreciate the way you perceive the world around you.

This groundbreaking guide includes:
- Expert advice on materials…


Book cover of The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, Tv, and Digital Media

Mike Mattesi Author Of FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing

From my list on how to draw for animation, video games and comics.

Why am I passionate about this?

My career has spanned all genres of entertainment and I have taught thousands of students across three decades. I share with those learnings. I have been trained at Walt Disney Animation Studios, freelanced for Marvel Comics, been an art director in video games for decades, owned three of my own businesses in art fields, and written many books on drawing. I share with you some of my favorite books, books that you can learn from if you apply the information within and therefore gain the ability yourself to create inspired work.

Mike's book list on how to draw for animation, video games and comics

Mike Mattesi Why Mike loves this book

Bruce Block has taught at many of the studios in the film industry and now you can also learn about the tools of art that can be used to elevate your art to entertainment industry standards. I myself have worked in animation, video games, and comics. In video games, I have been an art director for many years and when I discovered this book, it dramatically increased my ability to be a better AD. Not only is this book broken down into clear topics with numerous visuals to help you understand but Bruce also shows you have to chart these tools allowing you to art direct your own projects. Every artist and visual creative person should own this book.

By Bruce Block ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Visual Story as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This updated edition of a best-selling classic shows you how to structure your visuals as carefully as a writer structures a story or composers structure their music. The Visual Story teaches you how to design and control the structure of your production using the basic visual components of space, line, shape, tone, color, movement, and rhythm. You can use these components to effectively convey moods and emotions, create a visual style, and utilize the important relationship between the visual and the story structures.

Using over 700 color illustrations, author Bruce Block explains how understanding the connection between story and visual…


If you love Framed Ink...

Book cover of Salvation in the Sun

Salvation in the Sun by Lauren Lee Merewether,

In an age of splendor, a heretic king strips Egypt bare—forcing his queen to quell rebellion and plunging his children into a conspiracy against the crown.

Salvation in the Sun follows Nefertiti as she ascends the throne beside Pharaoh Amenhotep—soon to become Akhenaten—just as he declares war on Egypt’s ancient…

Book cover of Frank Frazetta: The Living Legend

Mike Mattesi Author Of FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing

From my list on how to draw for animation, video games and comics.

Why am I passionate about this?

My career has spanned all genres of entertainment and I have taught thousands of students across three decades. I share with those learnings. I have been trained at Walt Disney Animation Studios, freelanced for Marvel Comics, been an art director in video games for decades, owned three of my own businesses in art fields, and written many books on drawing. I share with you some of my favorite books, books that you can learn from if you apply the information within and therefore gain the ability yourself to create inspired work.

Mike's book list on how to draw for animation, video games and comics

Mike Mattesi Why Mike loves this book

This book is not so much educational as it is inspiring. Frazetta’s work has inspired me and my students for the last three decades. When I attended art school in New York, I discover that Frazetta had a gallery in East Stroudsberg, PA. I would travel there in the hopes of meeting him in person, an event that never occurred. I did have many discussions with his wife and I would spend hours in the gallery attempting to decipher how Frazetta created the dynamic, illustrious sci-fi and fantasy illustrations. Also, something that never occurred. This particular book presents Frazetta’s ink drawings, masterfully drafted and full story.

By Frank Frazetta , Eleanor Frazetta ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Frank Frazetta as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Book by Frazetta, Frank, Frazetta, Eleanor


Book cover of How to Render

Richard Yot Author Of Light for Visual Artists

From my list on light for artists.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a professional artist, and I’ve been fascinated by light and lighting for most of my life. About twenty years ago, I realized there were no books available on this subject at all and very little information around, so it was difficult to take a deep dive into the topic of light in relation to visual art. I wrote some articles on my website, which became very popular, and this resulted in a book deal with Laurence King. My book was published in 2011, and in the interim period, more books have appeared, offering a wider and more diverse range of knowledge from differing perspectives and different artists.

Richard's book list on light for artists

Richard Yot Why Richard loves this book

When I needed some practical insights into how to apply my theoretical knowledge this is the book I turned to. Light is what gives objects their form, and so it’s at the heart of this guide to rendering with both traditional and digital media by Scott Robertson. Very detailed and highly technical, this book gave me all the practical tools and techniques I needed to depict light and form accurately.

Any questions I had on how to depict lighting effects accurately were answered comprehensively in this book. From how to plot cast shadows, or create realistic surfaces made from a wide range of materials from wood, to cloth, or different types of metal, it’s all in here.

By Thomas Bertling , Scott Robertson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Render as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book is about the fundamentals of light, shadow and reflectivity; the focus is firmly on helping to improve visual understanding of the world around and on techniques for representing that world. Rendering is the next step after drawing to communicate ideas more clearly. Building on what Scott Robertson and Thomas Bertling wrote about in How To Draw: Drawing and Sketching Objects and Environments from Your Imagination, this book shares everything the two experts know about how to render light, shadow and reflective surfaces. This book is divided into two major sections: the first explains the physics of light and…


Book cover of Drawn to Life

Ron Husband Author Of Quick Sketching with Ron Husband

From my list on sketching, anatomy and animation for the artist.

Why am I passionate about this?

I've been drawing for over 68 years and carrying a sketchbook for over 60 of those years. I've seen success as an author, I'm an award-winning illustrator of books and magazines and animated many classic Disney features. Am I an expert on sketching humans and animals? ...No. I'm constantly learning in my effort to capture humans and animals in action by following the basic principles of drawing as they apply to quick sketching. My learning is aided by these books as I prepare lesson plans or the encouragement and inspiration found within their pages. I'm married to LaVonne, my high school sweetheart of 50 years, and have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Ron's book list on sketching, anatomy and animation for the artist

Ron Husband Why Ron loves this book

This two-book volume of notes, drawings, wise sayings, and philosophy are and have been invaluable assets to the learning curve of myself and numerous others. I have these same handouts, in storage boxes, saved over the years. I was there in the lunch-time drawing classes Walt taught at the Disney Studio. Before each drawing session he would hand out these xerox pages. On occasion some of my sketches were included in these handouts. With humor and enthusiasm, Walt encouraged us to push the models pose, see the possibilities and more, all with a goal of making better animation drawings. 

By Walt Stanchfield , Don Hahn (editor) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Drawn to Life as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Discover the lessons that helped bring about a new golden age of Disney animation!

Published for the first time ever, Drawn to Life is a two volume collection of the legendary lectures from long-time Disney animator Walt Stanchfield. For over twenty years, Walt helped breathe life into the new golden age of animation with these teachings at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and influenced such talented artists as Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter. These writings represent the quintessential refresher for fine artists and film professionals, and it is a vital tutorial for students who are now…


If you love Marcos Mateu-Mestre...

Book cover of Foxfire in the Snow

Foxfire in the Snow by J.S. Fields,

It's a time of change, between magic and alchemy.

Born the heir of a master woodcutter in a queendom defined by guilds and matrilineal inheritance, nonbinary Sorin can’t quite seem to find their place. At seventeen, an opportunity to attend an alchemical guild fair and secure an apprenticeship with the…

Book cover of Drawing Landscapes

Carole Massey Author Of Drawing for the Absolute Beginner

From my list on how to draw.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always loved to draw ever since my Dad used to sit drawing with me at the kitchen table when I was little. At Art School we had to spend the first six weeks doing a daily life drawing class before being allowed to pick up a paintbrush! I then studied graphic design setting up my own business, at a time when, without computers, drawing was essential for presenting layout and design. Nowadays, I’m constantly instilling in my students the importance of drawing and sketching. Having been a professional artist all my working life, drawing has been a fundamental element in every way, and all the way.

Carole's book list on how to draw

Carole Massey Why Carole loves this book

This comprehensive guide to drawing landscapes includes six step-by-step as well as many examples of Margaret’s work. With her wonderful drawing ability she is able to create stunning landscapes, some with incredible detail, some much looser, maintaining compositional balance throughout. I recommend this book to the beginner and more experienced alike as I think it has something for everyone. For anyone who wants some guidance for drawing landscapes, this book will inspire whatever your level of ability.

By Margaret Eggleton ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Drawing Landscapes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Artists of all skill levels will find much to inspire them in this detailed and practical guide to drawing landscapes. Margaret Eggleton guides you through easy-to-follow drawing stages, and gives advice on using sketchbooks, line and tone, perspective and more. She shows how to draw elements of the landscape such as trees and foliage, hills and mountains, skies, water and buildings, and there are practical, step-by-step exercises throughout to help you practise the techniques.

Margaret then guides you carefully through each stage of six stunning projects, each culminating in a beautiful landscape drawing you'll be proud of. Suitable for beginners…


Book cover of The Illusion of Life
Book cover of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
Book cover of Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter

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5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in drawing, video games, and animation?

Drawing 71 books
Video Games 104 books
Animation 34 books