10+ Best Drawing Books for 13-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect drawing books for 13-year-olds that will keep your young artist inspired and engaged? Whether they're just starting out or looking to refine their skills, the right book can make all the difference in nurturing their creativity. Keep reading as we dive into a curated selection of drawing books designed specifically for 13-year-olds, packed with tips, techniques, and plenty of fun projects to spark their imagination!

Fun Drawing Books for 13-Year-Olds

• Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides readers with techniques to enhance their drawing skills by tapping into the creative potential of the brain's right hemisphere.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing tasks into manageable steps, making it easier for beginners to start and improve quickly.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who want to develop their drawing skills and anyone interested in exploring their creative side.

• Master Guide to Drawing Anime by Christopher Hart
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To, Manga
  • Synopsis: This guide teaches readers how to draw their favorite anime characters from start to finish, with tips on developing their own unique styles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging way to learn drawing techniques specific to the popular anime style.
  • Perfect for: Teens interested in anime and manga who want to learn to draw or improve their drawing skills.

• Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Graphic Novels, Children's
  • Synopsis: This book combines a comic story with drawing lessons, showing how to create characters and construct a comic strip narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an interactive and entertaining approach to learning about cartooning, which can spark creativity and storytelling skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love comics and want to start creating their own comic strips.

• How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book covers the basics of drawing through a series of fun, hands-on lessons that include drawing 3D shapes, animals, and everyday objects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches fundamental drawing techniques in an accessible way, encouraging creativity and confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Beginners of any age who are looking to learn basic drawing skills while having fun.

Educational Drawing Books for 13-Year-Olds

• You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational, How-To
  • Synopsis: Mark Kistler delivers a thirty-day drawing course covering the essentials of drawing through step-by-step lessons and exercises.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic drawing skills, understanding of perspective, shading, and composition.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a quick, structured way to learn drawing, making it less daunting for beginners.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are looking for a structured program to improve their drawing skills quickly.

• Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner by Claire Watson Garcia
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book introduces drawing to those who have no previous experience, focusing on basic skills and materials.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fundamental drawing techniques, use of art materials, visual analysis.
  • Why we recommend this book: It starts with the very basics, making it ideal for complete beginners.
  • Perfect for: Teens who are new to drawing and want to start with the fundamentals.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Activity Book, Educational
  • Synopsis: Offers a full year of subjects to draw, providing simple step-by-step instructions for each drawing.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Consistency in practice, creativity, motor skills, and following instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages daily drawing, which improves skills quickly and keeps creative juices flowing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy structured activities and those looking to make drawing a daily habit.

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, How-To
  • Synopsis: Using simple shapes, Ed Emberley shows how to draw a wide variety of animals in an easy-to-follow manner.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Ability to break down complex images into simple components, creativity in using basic shapes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's fun and accessible, making drawing less intimidating for beginners.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who love animals and want to learn how to draw them simply and creatively.

• Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Teaches how to draw animals using a step-by-step method that builds confidence and skill.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Detailed observation, replication of shapes, understanding animal anatomy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear, simple instructions that help young artists achieve realistic results.
  • Perfect for: Teens interested in both drawing and animals, looking to improve their technique in depicting wildlife.

Challenging Drawing Books for 13-Year-Olds

• Figure Drawing for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing People by Angela Rizza
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This guide offers a comprehensive approach to drawing human figures for children, emphasizing proportion, anatomy, and movement.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces concepts of human anatomy and proportions, which are more complex and detailed compared to basic drawing subjects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps young artists understand the human body's structure, enhancing their ability to create more realistic and expressive drawings.
  • Perfect for: Young artists interested in advancing their skills in figure drawing.

• Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book breaks down the principles of perspective, teaching artists how to create a sense of depth and realism in their drawings.
  • Why this book is challenging: Perspective drawing involves understanding geometric principles and visualizing space in three dimensions, which can be quite complex.
  • Why we recommend this book: It simplifies a difficult subject, making it accessible and understandable, which is crucial for developing advanced drawing skills.
  • Perfect for: Teens who want to master the art of creating realistic scenes and landscapes.

• The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: Readers learn how to create mind-bending optical illusions through step-by-step instructions and exercises.
  • Why this book is challenging: Crafting optical illusions requires a deep understanding of visual perception and artistic skill to manipulate shapes and lines effectively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and problem-solving, offering a fun and unique challenge that enhances both drawing and cognitive skills.
  • Perfect for: Creative teens who enjoy puzzles and want to incorporate this intrigue into their artwork.

• Drawing Landscapes for the Beginning Artist: Practical techniques for mastering landscapes by Claudia Nice
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This tutorial provides beginners with the fundamentals of landscape drawing, covering various elements like trees, water, skies, and buildings.
  • Why this book is challenging: Landscape drawing requires an ability to integrate various natural and architectural elements cohesively, demanding attention to detail and composition.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a solid foundation in drawing natural and urban environments, enhancing observational skills and appreciation for the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring artists who are drawn to natural scenery and wish to capture the beauty of landscapes on paper.

• Realistic Portraits in Colored Pencil: Learn to draw lifelike portraits in vibrant colored pencil by Karen Hull
  • Genre(s): Art, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides detailed guidance on creating realistic portraits using colored pencils, including techniques for skin tones, hair, and facial features.
  • Why this book is challenging: Portraiture is one of the most difficult art forms due to the precision required in capturing human expressions and features accurately.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches advanced color blending and shading techniques, which are essential for creating lifelike and expressive portraits.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are ready to explore the complexity of human portraits and refine their skills in color pencil art.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of drawing books, that's awesome! But let's make sure you're getting the most out of your reading time. Here are some fun exercises to help you develop some solid reading habits. These will not only enhance your understanding but also make your reading sessions more engaging. Let’s get started!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much time you'll spend reading each day or how many pages you want to read.
  • How it helps: Helps you stay focused and make reading a regular part of your day.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Reduces distractions and enhances your concentration.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s comfortable and has good lighting.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the book with friends or family members who are interested.
  • How it helps: Improves your comprehension and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try to express what you liked about the drawings and the techniques discussed.

• Use a Visual Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Create a list of new terms and techniques you learn from your reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances your drawing vocabulary and understanding of new concepts.
  • Tips: Include small sketches next to each term to visualize the technique.

• Sketch What You Read
  • What it is: Draw scenes or concepts from the book.
  • How it helps: Helps reinforce what you've learned by applying it practically.
  • Tips: Don't worry about perfection; focus on expressing the ideas.

• Reflect After Reading
  • What it is: Spend a few minutes thinking about what you read after each session.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and memory of the content.
  • Tips: Write down any questions or insights that might have arisen during your reading.

And there you have it! By incorporating these exercises into your routine, you’ll not only enjoy your drawing books more, but you’ll also build strong reading habits that last a lifetime. Happy reading and drawing!