Many of us took up a new or old creative hobby during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. For me it was zentangle and paint-by-sticker books. (This one of iconic artworks is my personal favorite.) Whether you’re a new homeschooler or looking to extend your creative endeavors into the new year, here are a few art books to read in 2021 that are sure to inspire novice and veteran artists alike.

You are an Artist: Assignments to spark creation

by Sarah Urist Green

From the creator of The Art Assignment, You are an Artist includes more than 50 assignments, ideas, and prompts to expand your world and help you make outstanding new things to put into it.


Anyone Can Teach Art: How to confidently teach art in your classical homeschool

by Julie B. Abels

Anyone Can Teach Art presents the scope and sequence of a classical Christian art curriculum for K-12 students. By the end of this book you’ll know why art should be included in everyone’s education, what the basics of art creation and art appreciation are, and how to use the ancient, amazingly effective, classical model of education to teach art.


Open Studio: Do-it-yourself art projects by contemporary artists

by Sharon Coplan Hurowitz and Amanda Benchley

Open Studio invites you into the private studios of seventeen of the most celebrated contemporary artists as they draw, paint, sculpt, or design an original project for readers to recreate at home.


The Street Art Manual

by Bill Posters

The Street Art Manual is an illicit, tactical handbook to creating art in public and taking over urban space. Every type of street art is covered, from painting graffiti, to light projections, stenciling, wheat pasting and mural making, with each technique illustrated with step-by-step drawings.