Websites
conceptart.org a website with extensive forums where artists of all ages and professions share their work, give each other feedback, and strive to improve their skills. A great resource for any aspiring visual artist
visualresistance.org is a website where politically-minded artists can post their art, see what other are doing, and find new artists to collaborate with
woostercollective.org an extensive website dedicated to street art
Books, Magazines, and Zines
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
This is a classic book that has been used by art teachers for years. Betty Edwards strongly believes that anyone can learn to draw realistically, and she provides a program that teaches you to see things as they are so that you can improve your artistic skill.
The Natural Way to Draw by Kimon Nicholaides
An even more classic book (first published in 1941) on drawing that focuses on “physical contact with all sorts of objects through all the senses”. Don’t be put off by the demanding schedules and assignments – anyone with a serious desire to develop their drawing skill not only as a foundation for all visual arts, but also as an art form in itself will benefit enormously from this book.
Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson
In this book the author shares his complete drawing system – fifty-five “keys” that help you to understand and experiment with all the possibilities of drawing.
Drawing From Life: The Journal as Art
The Artist’s Guide to Sketching
Seven Essentials of Graphic Design
Dynamic Anatomy by Burne Hogarth
Burne Hogarth’s clear, dramatic drawing style and extensive experience make him a great teacher. Dynamic Anatomy focuses less on naming the particular muscles and bones, and more on the forms and movements of the body. Some of his other books include Drawing the Human Head, Dynamic Figure Drawing, Dynamic Light and Shade, Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery, and more.
Rendering in Pencil by Arthur L. Guptil
This massive book covers numerous techniques, composition, excercises, and much more, with a focus on architectural rendering. Also check out the book’s companion, Rendering in Pen and Ink.
Rendering in Pen and Ink
Dover Pictorial Archive and Clip Art Books – Dover Publications
Dover published a wide variety of copyright-free reference books organized by subjects like Animals, Children, and Transportation. The hundreds of detailed black and white illustrations in each volume are great for collages, illustration, and more.
Graffiti
Aerosol Kingdom - Subway Painters of NYC by Ivor L. Miller
Spraycan Art by Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff
R.I.P. - Memerial Wall Art by Martha Cooper + Joseph Sciorra
New American Street Art by A Soho Book Project
Art in Transit: Subway Drawings by Keith Haring
The Art of Getting Over by Stephen Powers
AutoGraf - NYC's Grafitti Writers by Peter Sutherland
Comics
World Encyclopedia of Comics - Edited by Maurice Horn
The Business of Comics: Everything a Comic Book Artist Needs to make it in the Business - Plus 40 Interviews www/ Comic Book Professionals by Lurene Haines
Comics and Sequential Art - Principals and Pratices of the World's Most Popular Art Form by Will Eisner
Graphic Storytelling by Will Eisner
The Great Woman Cartoonists by Trina Robbins
From Girls to Grrrls: A History of Girls' Comics from Teens to
Zines by Trina Robbins
Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel by Mike Chin
Comic Book Encyclopedia - The Ultimate Guide to Characters, Graphic Novels, Writers, and Artistsin the Comic Book Universe! by Harpo Entertainment
The DC Comics Guide to Penciling Comics by Klaus Jansen
The DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics by Klaus Jansen
Reinventing Comics - How Imagination and Technology are Revolutionizing an Art Form by Scott McCloud
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross by Chip Kidd + Geoff Spear
Comic Book Rebels - Conversations with the Creators of New Comics by Stanley Wiater + Stephen R. Bissette
DIY Crafts
Super Crafty: Over 75 Amazing How-To Projects by Susan Beal, Torie Nguyen, Rachel O’Rourke, and Cathy Pitters
If you have a small budget but a big imagination you’ll love this book. Everything from vintage style clothes to household items, and even creative treats for your pet.