10+ Best Drawing Books for 11-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect drawing books for 11-year-olds to spark creativity and skill in your young artist? Whether they're just starting out or ready to enhance their drawing abilities, finding the right book can make all the difference. Keep reading as we explore a variety of drawing books designed specifically for 11-year-olds, each packed with exciting techniques, step-by-step guides, and fun projects that will keep them engaged and inspired.

Fun Drawing Books for 11-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This drawing book teaches kids how to draw a wide array of subjects using simple shapes and lines.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's incredibly accessible and fun, allowing children to create complex drawings from simple components. It boosts confidence in drawing skills and creativity.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who loves to create and learn through doing.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Comics, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This engaging book teaches kids how to create their own comics using a fun narrative that involves knights, dragons, and princesses.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the joy of storytelling with drawing, encouraging both reading and artistic skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics and storytelling or anyone interested in exploring creative expression through cartoons.

• Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A step-by-step guide that teaches kids how to draw 50 different animals using basic shapes and lines.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps young readers develop their drawing skills while learning about various animals, enhancing both their artistic abilities and their knowledge of the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and budding artists interested in improving their drawing techniques.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Offers a full year's worth of drawing projects, with simple step-by-step instructions for each.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides daily drawing challenges that keep kids engaged and improving their skills all year long.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy daily activities and those who appreciate a structured approach to learning and creativity.

• How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students by Catherine V Holmes
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book outlines simple techniques to draw a variety of fun and interesting items, aimed at improving drawing skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's educational and entertaining, making the learning process enjoyable and effective for visual thinkers and learners.
  • Perfect for: Students and teachers alike, or anyone looking for structured, educational drawing activities.

Educational Drawing Books for 11-Year-Olds

• Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Manga
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to draw manga characters and scenes, covering everything from basic shapes to final details.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Manga drawing techniques, character design, and visual storytelling.
  • Why we recommend this book: Mark Crilley's expertise and clear teaching style make it accessible for beginners while also being detailed enough for more advanced artists.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring manga artists and fans of Japanese animation and comics.

• Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner by Claire Watson Garcia
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book starts with the very basics of drawing and gradually builds up to more complex subjects and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic drawing skills, understanding of proportions, and shading techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's ideal for beginners and provides a solid foundation in drawing, which is essential for any young artist.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are new to drawing and want to learn the basics in an easy-to-understand way.

• Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches the fundamentals of drawing, including line drawing, shading, creating depth, and composition.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fundamental drawing skills, artistic composition, and creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It presents drawing lessons in a kid-friendly way that makes learning fun and effective.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who want to explore and improve their basic drawing skills.

• You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less by Mark Kistler
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Offers a series of easy-to-follow lessons that promise significant improvement in drawing skills within just 30 days.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic to intermediate drawing skills, understanding of 3D shapes, and perspective.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing concepts into manageable daily lessons that build confidence and skills quickly.
  • Perfect for: Kids and beginners looking for a structured and encouraging approach to learning to draw.

• The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches how to draw mind-bending optical illusions through step-by-step instructions and exercises.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Drawing optical illusions, understanding of visual perception, and artistic creativity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces a fun and creative aspect of art that fascinates children and adults alike, enhancing both drawing skills and cognitive perception.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles and challenges, and who are interested in combining art with optical illusions.

Challenging Drawing Books for 11-Year-Olds

• Drawing Realistic Pencil Portraits Step by Step: Basic Techniques for the Head and Face by Justin Maas
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book provides detailed guidance on drawing realistic human faces with a focus on mastering pencil techniques.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into advanced shading techniques and precise anatomical details that are necessary for creating lifelike portraits.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deep dive into portrait drawing, which can significantly enhance a young artist's ability to capture human expressions and emotions accurately.
  • Perfect for: Budding artists interested in portrait drawing and those who want to refine their skills in realistic sketching.

• Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book breaks down the principles of perspective, making it easy to understand how to create a sense of depth and dimension in drawings.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers complex concepts of perspective drawing, which are essential for creating realistic and proportionate scenes.
  • Why we recommend this book: Understanding perspective is crucial for any artist, and this book simplifies these concepts in a way that is accessible yet comprehensive.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who want to master the art of drawing landscapes and architectural structures with accurate perspectives.

• Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A classic guide that teaches the techniques of figure drawing, emphasizing the importance of anatomical accuracy.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires understanding of human anatomy and proportion, which are advanced topics that demand attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thorough resource that provides invaluable lessons in drawing the human figure realistically, which is a fundamental skill for serious artists.
  • Perfect for: Artists who are serious about enhancing their ability to draw the human figure accurately and artistically.

• Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter by James Gurney
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book explores the properties of color and light, offering practical advice on how to use them effectively in paintings.
  • Why this book is challenging: It goes beyond basic color mixing to discuss the impact of light and atmosphere on color in artwork.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a deep understanding of how light and color affect the mood and realism of paintings, which is crucial for creating emotionally compelling art.
  • Perfect for: Young painters looking to enhance their work with sophisticated uses of color and light.

• The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action Analysis, Caricature by Ken Hultgren
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Focuses on drawing animals in motion, with emphasis on constructing animal figures and understanding their movement.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the dynamic and anatomically correct representation of animals, which requires a deep understanding of both anatomy and motion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps artists capture the essence and fluidity of animal movements, enriching their ability to create vibrant and lifelike animal drawings.
  • Perfect for: Artists interested in wildlife drawing and those who wish to improve their skill in depicting animal anatomy and action.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of drawing books, it's a fantastic way to combine reading with creativity, especially for 11-year-olds. To make the most out of these books, developing good reading habits is key. Here are some exercises that can help enhance your reading experience and make it more engaging and productive.

• Set a Daily Reading Goal
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or a set time to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages consistency and helps build a reading routine.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Visual Vocabulary Book
  • What it is: Make a dedicated notebook for sketching objects and scenes described in the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and retention of new words and concepts.
  • Tips: Use a mix of pencils, crayons, or markers to make the vocabulary book colorful and exciting.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who are also reading it.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and offers different perspectives on the book.
  • Tips: Try to discuss the book regularly, perhaps once a week, to keep the details fresh.

• Draw the Story
  • What it is: Sketch scenes or characters from the book to better visualize the story.
  • How it helps: Strengthens memory and brings the text to life.
  • Tips: Don't worry about artistic perfection; focus on how the scenes feel to you.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after you read it.
  • How it helps: Aids in better understanding and remembering the plot and important details.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries short and to the point; bullet points can be very effective.

• Ask Questions Before Reading
  • What it is: Write down questions that you hope to answer through your reading.
  • How it helps: Sets a purpose for reading and engages your curiosity.
  • Tips: Review the questions after reading to see if they were answered, and if not, why.

• Connect the Dots
  • What it is: Try to relate the events or characters in the book to your own life or other books you've read.
  • How it helps: Enhances deeper understanding and personal connection with the book.
  • Tips: Write down any connections you make in your reading journal.

Incorporating these exercises into your routine while exploring drawing books can significantly enhance both your reading skills and artistic expression. Remember, the key is consistency and enjoyment. So grab your drawing book, pick a cozy corner, and let your imagination and creativity soar with each page you read and draw! Happy reading and drawing!