There is something uniquely satisfying about holding a book in your hands—that papery earthy scent, the tactile experience of turning the pages, the weight of it—and for art books in particular, the harmonious collection of artworks laid out side by side. In a world of increasingly digital media, physical books are truly special. Whether it be an educational publication or simply a showcase of an artist’s best work, art books feel almost like miniature exhibitions we can hold in the palms of our hands.
We hope you enjoy delving into International Artist’s 2025 Art Book Guide. Each entry provides all of the information you’ll need to begin (or continue building) your collection, including pricing, page counts and contact details. Start carving out some space on those bookshelves.
An Artist’s Life: Unlocking Creative Expression
By Mary Whyte
Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
Page count: 196 pages, 67 color plates
Price: $39.99
Release Date: October 2025
During her 50 years as an artist and teacher, Mary Whyte has discovered that tapping into our personal well of creativity and passion is the most important lesson. In An Artist’s Life, Whyte guides artists past stifling obstacles and self-doubts to see the world with fresh eyes and create their most original and expressive work.
Contact: sharon@marywhyte.com, marywhyte.com
Jerry Jordan: Together Always Our Spirit
By Michael Clawson
Publisher: FrescoBooks/ SF Designs, LLC
Page Count: 248 pages
Price: $140 (hardcover)
Release Date: 2023
Jerry Jordan’s highly anticipated art book will take you through his 67-year art career, from the first painting at the age of thirteen through the ups and downs of learning to become an artist and trying to make a living at the same time. Featuring over 100 original paintings in breathtaking true to life color, this book will surely thrill the avid art collector and artist alike.
Contact: jerryjordantaos@gmail.com, jerryjordantaos.com
All the Difference
By C.F. Lawrenson
Publisher: Asaph Waters Editions
Page Count: 110 pages
Price: $55 (hardcover)
Release Date: 2016
This hardcover book contains 56 full color paintings, the stories behind them, plus several preliminary sketches and drawings by C.F. Lawrenson. Each painting was inspired by walks a husband and wife enjoyed in the farmlands and state forests of northern Pennsylvania, to Maine and Canada up north, to the mountains and shorelines of the eastern United States.
Contact: cflawrenson@me.com, asaphwaterseditons.com
Alla Prima II – Everything I Know About Painting and More
By Richard Schmid
Publisher: Richard Schmid Publishing – Stove Prairie Press
Page Count: 328 pages
Price: $95 (softcover); $125 (hardcover)
Release Date: 2013
Alla Prima II – Everything I Know About Painting and More is Richard Schmid’s definitive guide to painting, covering drawing, color, composition, values, edges and the art of seeing. This beautifully written and illustrated book offers practical instruction, personal insights and inspiration for artists at every level.
Contact: richardschmid.com, ordering@richardschmid.com
Portrait and Figure Paintings
By Richard Schmid
Publisher: Richard Schmid Publishing – Stove Prairie Press
Page count: 288 pages
Price: $125 (hardcover)
Release Date: 2025
Portrait and Figure Paintings celebrates Richard Schmid’s extraordinary approach to painting portraits and the human form. Featuring over 280 images of his finest works, this beautifully produced book combines intimate portraits, elegant figure studies and Schmid’s own commentary, offering inspiration and insight for artists and collectors alike.
Contact: richardschmid.com, ordering@richardschmid.com
A Treatise on Portrait Painting: An Exploration in Palettes & Styles
By Cheryl Kline
Publisher: Cheryl Kline
Page Count: 103 pages
Release Date: August 17, 2020 (2nd edition, digital); 2015 (1st edition, print)
A Treatise on Portrait Painting: An Exploration in Palettes & Styles takes the artist on a creative journey, exploring many styles of portrait painting based on workshops and personal studies of the author. Kline guides you step by step from her own painting process and makes a world of information accessible to even a beginning portrait artist. This second edition includes links to 11 demonstrations.
Contact: klineacademy@att.net, internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
The Power of Positive Painting
By Robert Maniscalco
Publisher: Robert Maniscalco
Page Count: 144 pages
Price: $35 (hardcover); $25 (softcover)
Learn the secret methods of the masters by gaining a deeper understanding of how they viewed the world. Capture the feeling of light by distilling the essence of form, using the Riley system. Create art filled with life and emotion. Put Robert’s 40 years as a professional artist and teacher to work for you.
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
Lori Putnam, So Far By Lori Putnam
Publisher: Colibrì Editore
Page Count: 200 pages
Price: $75 (hardcover)
This full-color book contains 200 pages of Lori Putnam’s paintings, illustrations and stories, as well as a foreword by Kevin Macpherson, Dawn Whitelaw, Scott L. Christensen, Quang Ho and Jean Stern. Beautifully printed on heavy satin paper with a foil-embossed hardcover and dust jacket, this book is a chronology of Putnam’s life “so far.”
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
Expression by Design: The Art of Kurt Anderson
By Kurt Anderson
Publisher: Studio KLA
Page Count: 84 pages
Price: $38.99
Kurt Anderson guides the reader on a tour of his wide-ranging artistic output. His insights provide a deeper understanding of how representational painting can speak to both modern and traditional sensibilities of expression and design.
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
Drawing from Line to Life
By Mike Sibley
Publisher: Mike Sibley Fine Art
Page Count: 280 pages
Price: $45 (softcover)
This “Drawing Bible” by 40-year art veteran Mike Sibley includes 625 illustrations, with the how and why explained, as well as tools, techniques and demonstrations with step-by-step instructions. For the novice to the advanced student.
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
Thomas Paquette: Gouaches
By Thomas Paquette and Sally E. Mansfield
Publisher: Eyeful Press
Page Count: 128 pages
Price: $34
This 128-page image-rich book features the very small gouache paintings by nationally acclaimed painter Thomas Paquette. Often described as gemlike, 110 works are reproduced full-size. Includes an essay by art historian and curator Sally E. Mansfield.
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books
Painting Life with Life in Watercolor
By Bev Jozwiak
Publisher: Creative Art Press
Page Count: 164 pages
Price: $45 (hardcover)
In this dramatic approach to painting the figure and animals in watercolor, Bev Jozwiak shows readers how to boldly interpret their subject matter in a spontaneous and loose way. More than 100 full-color paintings, plus follow along, step-by-step examples can be found in this 164-page book.
Contact: internationalartmagazineshop.com/collections/books