I thought I'd write about some good how-to books for aspiring comics artists who want to acquire some academic, foundational drawing skills without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUH9_PPVoAAlLAF.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUH-6BXU0AABlR0.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUH_g9dU0AA4i5K.jpg)
So of course the they're out of print.
(Plenty of bootleg scans out there, too. )
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUH_xouVoAAz54s.jpg)
All about drawing people—construction, anatomy, proportion, lighting, gesture, rhythm.
• Creative Illustration
Principles of composition, How to arrange elements in your picture to communicate clearly. Assumes you already know how to draw.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIAUb5UQAASIMo.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIAfBhVQAI5jd1.jpg)
Sort of a problem-solving manual, with lots of good diagrams explaining how to accurately describe forms in space and how to light them.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIAqcjVwAAsh-1.jpg)
I recommend several of Jack Hamm's “How To” books. Ostensibly written for younger readers, advanced students & working professionals will still find plenty of useful information. Guy must've hated white-space. Every page is crammed w/ info!
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBJ4AUMAAEnEO.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBKWxVoAA76lq.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBUJHVAAES_-I.jpg)
•Cartooning the Head and Figure
•How to Draw Animals
•Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes
DtHaF has some of the best short lessons anywhere on drawing clothes.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBnqAVQAEWkWn.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBpWeVQAU3STH.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUIBrVjVwAEAMmC.jpg)
Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers by Marcos Mateu-Mestre. Never seen any book do a better job of explaining the principles of composition in service of narrative as they apply across all visual media.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUICC9EVwAEr8gv.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUICEHeVMAA34GD.jpg)