Summer is a weirdly perfect time to get inspired. Maybe it’s the light. Or the laziness. Or the fact that your brain finally has space to wander without being yanked around by deadlines.
If you’re an artist (or dreaming of becoming one), reading isn’t just a break from painting, sketching, or sculpting,it’s fuel.
Below are 10 books I think every aspiring artist should toss into their summer bag (or Kindle).
These aren’t your average “how to draw an eye” books. These are the ones that poke your brain, whisper wild ideas, and quietly rewire how you see the world, and your place in it.
Also see: 5 Simple Steps to Creating Cool Summer Paintings
1. “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
Read this when you’re stuck in a creative identity crisis.
This one’s short enough to finish in a day, but it might change your next ten years. Kleon strips down the myth of originality in art,newsflash: everyone’s copying something.
He argues that being an artist isn’t about being first, it’s about remixing smartly. I read this after months of trying to find “my style.” Turns out, building your style often starts by loving other people’s,and then twisting it until it feels like yours.
A quick tip, Kleon’s sticky-note exercises? Do them in the park. Summer air helps creativity seep in faster.
2. “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin
Read this when you’re feeling more human than “productive.”
Legendary music producer Rick Rubin doesn’t tell you how to paint. Or write. Or record. Instead, he nudges you toward a way of living where making art becomes as natural as breathing.
He talks about silence, intuition, imperfection, stuff most how-to books skip. I dog-eared like, 40 pages. It’s that good.
A fun fact, Rubin’s meditative take on creativity actually helped me get out of the ‘Instagram Likes trap’ and make art for the joy of it.
3. “Ways of Seeing” by John Berger
Read this if you want to see like an artist, not just draw like one.
Berger breaks down how visuals affect meaning,and how culture messes with what we think we see. Sounds academic, but it reads more like an eye-opening documentary.
Once you’ve read it, you’ll never look at an ad or museum painting the same way. I remember rewatching a shampoo ad after reading it and yelling, “They just Bergered me!”
Hot tip: Pair this with a walk around a gallery or even your local supermarket. Look deeper.
4. “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon (yes, again)
Read this if you’re afraid to post your art online.
So many of us hoard our art like it’s not good enough for daylight. This book says: screw that. Share as you go. Kleon gives low-pressure advice on building an audience by just being open,no fake polish required.
I started posting sketchbook pages because of this. Guess what? People loved the messy stuff more than the finished pieces.
Here’s a challenge, post one “work in progress” shot this week. Even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.
5. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Read this if fear is tap-dancing on your brain every time you try to create.
Gilbert writes like a big sister who believes in you even when you’re a disaster. She talks about creativity as something playful, magical, and accessible.
Her chapter on fear hit me hard: “You don’t get to kill the fear. You just don’t let it drive the car.” That line? Gold.
Read it slowly, preferably with a coffee and a sunset view. Let it marinate.
6. “Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking” by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Read this if you’re paralyzed by self-doubt.
This book’s raw. It gets into the gritty emotions behind making art: fear of failure, perfectionism, imposter syndrome. It’s written for artists who do the work but wonder if they’re good enough. Spoiler:
That doubt never goes away. You just learn to work anyway. It helped me realize that most of the artists I admire are just as messed up (and brave) as I am.
Side note: This is a great read to buddy up on. Discuss with a fellow artist,it hits harder that way.
7. “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards
Read this if you think you “can’t draw.”
Even if you’re more into digital painting or sculpture, this book teaches you how to actually see like an artist,which is the real skill behind all of it.
Edwards uses brain science (without being boring) to show how your left brain blocks creativity and how to sneak past it. I used her techniques to break out of stiff sketching habits. Game changer.
Do the exercises outside under a tree. Summer sun + right brain = weirdly powerful combo.
8. “Keep Going” by Austin Kleon (yep, he’s back)
Read this when you’re burnt out and feel like quitting.
This one’s all about sustainability. How do you keep creating when you’re tired, broke, or uninspired? Kleon doesn’t offer rah-rah cheerleading,he gives tools.
Systems. Routines. I started a daily 5-minute sketch habit after reading this and haven’t stopped. You don’t need motivation. You need rhythm.
Try his “daily logbook” idea: one line a day. Over time, it becomes a creative map of your life.
9. “You Are an Artist” by Sarah Urist Green
Read this if you want to do art, not just read about it.
This is more of a workbook than a read. Each page is a creative prompt from contemporary artists,from building a protest sign to turning your junk drawer into a sculpture.
It’s weird, fun, and deeply un-Instagrammable (which is a good thing). I did one exercise where I drew a map of a place that doesn’t exist. Accidentally turned it into a short story. That’s the kind of chaos it invites.
Grab a few friends and make it a summer challenge group. Accountability = action.
10. “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
Read this if procrastination is your toxic soulmate.
Pressfield’s whole thesis? Resistance is the enemy. That voice in your head saying “not now” or “you suck”? That’s Resistance, and it’s a pro-level saboteur. But he gives you a toolkit to fight back,by becoming a professional in your mindset, even if you’re still learning.
It’s a kick in the pants kind of read. I go back to it every time I feel myself spiraling into YouTube shorts instead of drawing.
Warning: You might want to pick up a brush/pencil/tablet the moment you finish this book.
Final Thoughts: Which One First?
Start with the one that makes your palms sweat a little. The one that feels too honest. That’s probably what you need most.
Being an artist isn’t about waiting for divine inspiration. It’s about feeding your brain, listening to your gut, and giving your hands something to do. These books? They’re your summer companions,whispering “you’ve got this” while you wrestle with blank pages and big dreams.
Now go pick one. Or three. And read them where the light hits your sketchbook just right.
Which one are you starting with? Shoot me a message, I love hearing what’s clicking for other creatives.
Written by someone who’s spent more summers chasing creativity than tanning on beaches. Trust me, books like these are better than sunscreen.