10+ Best Learn To Draw Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the lookout for the perfect way to nurture creativity in your pre-teen? Look no further than learn to draw books for 12-year-olds! These books are not just about filling pages with doodles; they're about mastering the art of drawing through easy-to-follow instructions and fun activities. Whether your child is a budding artist or just looking for a new hobby, these books offer a great way to enhance their skills. Keep reading to discover our top picks for learn to draw books that will captivate and inspire your 12-year-old artist!

Fun Learn To Draw Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World by Ed Emberley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Children's Books
  • Synopsis: This drawing book encourages kids to create worlds of their own using simple shapes and lines. Ed Emberley offers easy-to-follow drawing methods that turn basic shapes into a variety of objects and scenes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's incredibly accessible and fun, making it easy for beginners to feel successful and motivated to keep drawing.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring artists who enjoy creating scenes and storytelling through pictures.

• Draw 50 Animals by Lee J. Ames
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids how to draw 50 different animals using a step-by-step method. Each lesson builds on previous ones, helping to develop drawing skills progressively.
  • Why we recommend this book: It specializes in animals, which are often a favorite subject for children, and helps improve their drawing skills in a structured way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love animals and are eager to learn how to draw them realistically.

• Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Manga
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide covers everything a beginner needs to start drawing manga, including lessons on anatomy, clothing, expressions, and backgrounds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for fans of manga and anime, offering detailed instructions and tips to help readers create characters and stories in a popular style.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are fans of manga and interested in drawing their own manga characters and scenes.

• 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: This book promises to teach the basics of drawing through a series of fun, daily lessons that build on each other, from simple objects to more complex scenes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down the drawing process into manageable lessons, making the learning process less intimidating and more achievable.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who want a structured, day-by-day plan that shows noticeable progress in a short amount of time.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional, Comics
  • Synopsis: This interactive book combines the joys of drawing and storytelling by teaching kids how to create their own cartoons and comic strips.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's not just about drawing; it also involves creating narratives, which can help enhance both artistic and writing skills.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who love to tell stories and want to express themselves through both words and pictures.

Educational Learn To Draw Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner by Claire Watson Garcia
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book starts with the basics of drawing and gradually introduces more complex subjects and techniques.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic drawing techniques, understanding of proportions, shading, and composition.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's designed specifically for beginners, making it easy to follow and understand, which is ideal for building confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Beginners who have no previous experience in drawing but are eager to learn.

• How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: The book outlines simple step-by-step instructions on how to draw everyday objects with a creative twist.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and artistic confidence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches not only the fundamentals of drawing but also how to infuse personality into drawings, making them unique.
  • Perfect for: Kids who want to learn basic drawing skills while also expressing individual creativity.

• 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 fun drawing prompt for every day of the year, each with easy-to-follow steps.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Consistency in practice, variety in subjects, and development of a daily drawing habit.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a structured yet fun approach to drawing that keeps engagement high throughout the year.
  • Perfect for: Young artists looking for daily challenges and a wide range of drawing subjects.

• The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions by Jonathan Stephen Harris
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches how to create mind-bending optical illusions through step-by-step instructions, focusing on perspective and shading.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of perspective, optical effects, and visual thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fascinating approach to drawing that challenges both the mind and the artistic skill of the reader.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in puzzles and art who want to combine the two in creative ways.

• I Can Draw Animals by Walter Foster
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A beginner's guide that provides simple, step-by-step instructions on how to draw a variety of animals.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Animal anatomy, attention to detail, and portrayal of movement.
  • Why we recommend this book: It focuses on a popular drawing subject for children—animals—and breaks down complex shapes into simple steps.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and are interested in learning to draw them with accuracy and creativity.

Challenging Learn To Draw Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Figure Drawing for Kids: A Step-By-Step Guide to Drawing People by Angela Rizza
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book guides young artists through the complex process of drawing human figures, focusing on proportions, movements, and various poses.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces advanced concepts of human anatomy and proportions, which are fundamental but more complex to master.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides clear, age-appropriate instructions on a challenging subject, helping to lay a solid foundation in figure drawing.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young artists interested in sketching realistic human figures.

• Perspective Made Easy by Robbie Lee
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches perspective techniques that allow artists to create depth and realism in their drawings, from simple concepts to more complex scenarios.
  • Why this book is challenging: Perspective drawing requires understanding geometric concepts and visualizing spaces, which can be quite demanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down a complicated subject into understandable chunks, enhancing spatial reasoning and drawing skills.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who want to take their drawing skills to the next level by adding depth and realism to their work.

• The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action Analysis, Caricature by Ken Hultgren
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Focuses on drawing animals in motion, using a range of techniques to capture the dynamism of animal figures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It goes beyond static drawings to teach how to depict movement and emotion, which requires a deeper understanding of anatomy and kinetics.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages observational skills and a deeper understanding of animal behavior, which enhances the overall drawing capability.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are fascinated by animals and wish to explore drawing them in action.

• Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes by Jack Hamm
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Provides techniques and tips for drawing various types of landscapes and seascapes, emphasizing composition and environmental elements.
  • Why this book is challenging: Landscape drawing involves an understanding of perspective, composition, and a variety of natural forms, making it complex.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers practical advice on tackling broad and detailed sceneries, which can greatly enhance a young artist's repertoire.
  • Perfect for: Artists who enjoy nature and want to capture the beauty of landscapes and seascapes in their drawings.

• Exploring Color Workshop for Kids by Elizabeth LaRowe
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Teaches young artists how to effectively use color in their artwork, covering color theory, mixing, and application techniques.
  • Why this book is challenging: Understanding and applying color theory can be complex, involving both artistic intuition and scientific principles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies color use in a fun and engaging way, enhancing both the creativity and quality of young artists' work.
  • Perfect for: Young artists looking to delve into the vibrant world of colors and learn how to apply them effectively in their art.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of drawing books, it's awesome to pair that with some solid reading habits. Here are a few exercises designed for 12-year-olds to help enhance their reading skills while they enjoy their learn-to-draw books. These exercises are simple, fun, and super effective!

• Set Specific Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Helps in developing a consistent reading habit and achieving reading milestones.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them as you get more comfortable.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific area in your home as your reading nook.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes reading time special and enjoyable.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s well-lit, quiet, and cozy, possibly with all your drawing and reading materials at hand.

• Book Discussion Group
  • What it is: Form a group with friends to discuss books you are reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and comprehension through discussion.
  • Tips: Try to cover a variety of topics and genres to keep the discussions lively and interesting.

• Reading and Drawing Combo
  • What it is: Sketch a scene or a character from the book you are reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and helps in visualizing text content.
  • Tips: Don’t worry about perfection in your sketches; focus on how the book inspires your drawings.

• Use a Reading App
  • What it is: Utilize a digital app that encourages reading through games and rewards.
  • How it helps: Makes reading interactive and engaging, especially for digital-savvy kids.
  • Tips: Choose apps that are age-appropriate and have educational value.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Dedicate time to read out loud from your drawing book or any other book.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps in retaining information better.
  • Tips: Alternate reading days with family members or friends to make it more fun and engaging.

Wrapping up, blending reading with your drawing hobby can be a blast! These exercises aren't just about improving how much you read, but also enhancing how well you understand and enjoy your books. Give these a try, stick with them, and watch your reading habits transform. Happy reading and drawing!