10+ Best Drawing Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to nurture creativity in your pre-teen? Look no further! Our carefully curated list of drawing books for 12-year-olds is packed with options that will inspire and educate budding artists. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to refine their skills, we've got something that will spark their imagination. Keep reading to discover our top picks for drawing books that are sure to captivate and challenge your young artist!

Fun Drawing Books for 12-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 variety of objects and scenes using simple shapes and step-by-step instructions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's fantastic for helping children develop their drawing skills while encouraging creativity and confidence in their artistic abilities.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who enjoy creating their own worlds and characters.

• 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 a methodical approach.
  • Why we recommend this book: It enhances fine motor skills and provides a solid foundation in drawing animals, which is both fun and educational.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and aspiring young illustrators who want to master the art of drawing fauna.

• 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 interactive book combines a humorous story with easy-to-follow instructions that show how to create your own cartoons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It merges storytelling with art instruction, making it an engaging way for kids to learn about comic book creation.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics and are interested in creating their own comic strips or books.

• Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs! by Mike Lowery
  • Genre(s): Interactive, Art, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This book invites kids to draw right inside it, engaging them in a fun adventure where their own art helps to complete the story.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's interactive and immersive, encouraging reading and artistic expression in a playful, engaging format.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who enjoy interactive stories and doodling.

• The Drawing Book for Kids: 365 Daily Things to Draw, Step by Step by Woo! Jr. Kids Activities
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Provides easy-to-follow drawing lessons for kids, featuring a new drawing for every day of the year.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a structured, daily practice that can help improve drawing skills over time, keeping it fun and varied with different subjects.
  • Perfect for: Kids who thrive on routine and those looking to make drawing a daily creative habit.

Educational Drawing Books for 12-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, focusing on everything from basic shapes to complex expressions.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Manga drawing techniques, character design, and storytelling in visual arts
  • Why we recommend this book: Mark Crilley's expertise in manga offers a detailed and accessible approach for young artists wanting to delve into this popular style.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring manga artists and fans of Japanese comic art.

• How to Draw Cool Stuff by Catherine V. Holmes
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A drawing guide that teaches the fundamentals of drawing through cool and creative projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic drawing skills, perspective, shading, and rendering
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex drawing concepts into manageable, engaging lessons that appeal to young learners.
  • Perfect for: Kids who want to learn drawing basics while working on fun and interesting projects.

• The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw by Mark Crilley
  • Genre(s): Art, Graphic Novel, Instructional
  • Synopsis: Told through a narrative graphic novel, this book offers drawing lessons embedded in the story of a young aspiring artist learning from a seasoned mentor.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Drawing fundamentals, storytelling through art
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely combines the format of a graphic novel with practical drawing instruction, making learning to draw an immersive experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories and want to learn to draw through an engaging narrative.

• 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: A beginner's guide that promises to teach basic drawing skills through short, daily exercises over the course of 30 days.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic and intermediate drawing skills, 3D drawing, perspective
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a structured yet fun approach to learning to draw, ideal for building confidence in young artists.
  • Perfect for: Beginners and anyone looking for a structured, step-by-step approach to learning drawing basics.

• Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be by Kathryn Temple
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This book covers essential drawing techniques for kids through engaging instructions and exercises.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Fundamental drawing techniques, observation skills, creative expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clear and encouraging introduction to drawing that covers a wide range of essential skills.
  • Perfect for: Young artists who are just starting out and want a comprehensive foundation in drawing.

Challenging Drawing Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure by Barbara Bradley
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This detailed guide teaches advanced drawing techniques focused on rendering the human figure in various forms of clothing, capturing movement and realism.
  • Why this book is challenging: It goes beyond basic figure drawing to include complex aspects of anatomy and clothing texture, which requires more advanced observational skills and drawing techniques.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's perfect for young artists looking to refine their skills in figure drawing and explore more complex subjects like fabric dynamics and human anatomy.
  • Perfect for: Budding artists interested in fashion design or portrait drawing.

• Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: A comprehensive guide that simplifies the concepts of perspective drawing for artists of all levels.
  • Why this book is challenging: Perspective drawing is a fundamental skill that can be quite difficult to master, involving understanding spatial relationships and geometric principles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex principles into understandable segments, helping young artists develop a crucial skill set for realistic drawing.
  • Perfect for: Artists who want to enhance their ability to create three-dimensional looking artwork.

• Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: This classic book offers a deep dive into figure drawing, emphasizing the importance of anatomical accuracy in creating lifelike drawings.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers advanced topics such as proportions, balance, and movement, which are essential for realistic figure drawing but complex to learn.
  • Why we recommend this book: Loomis' techniques are timeless and provide a solid foundation for serious young artists who aspire to professional levels of artistry.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring illustrators and those interested in traditional drawing techniques.

• 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 for how to use them effectively in paintings.
  • Why this book is challenging: Understanding and applying the concepts of color theory and lighting can be complex, requiring both technical knowledge and artistic intuition.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides invaluable insights into how light and color influence the perception of art, which is essential for creating emotionally compelling and visually dynamic works.
  • Perfect for: Young painters who want to deepen their understanding of color and light in their artworks.

• Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist by James Gurney
  • Genre(s): Art, Instructional
  • Synopsis: James Gurney discusses techniques for realistically painting fantastical subjects, drawing from his experience as the creator of the Dinotopia series.
  • Why this book is challenging: It teaches how to blend imaginative concepts with realistic painting techniques, a skill that requires creativity and precision.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fantastic resource for artists who enjoy fantasy and science fiction and want to bring their imaginative ideas to life with a realistic touch.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who love to invent and depict scenes from the realms of fantasy and beyond.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of drawing books, you're probably eager to soak up all the tips and techniques you can. But let's not forget about developing good reading habits too! Here are some fun exercises that can help you get the most out of your drawing books while honing your reading skills. Perfect for 12-year-olds like you!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how much you want to read each day or week.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and makes reading a regular part of your day.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Space
  • What it is: Designate a specific spot at home where you can read without interruptions.
  • How it helps: Enhances focus and makes your reading time special.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s comfortable and has good lighting.

• Discuss What You Read
  • What it is: Talk about the drawing techniques and ideas with friends or family.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding and retention of the material.
  • Tips: Try to express what you liked most and what was challenging.

• Illustrate the Concepts
  • What it is: Draw your interpretation of the techniques you read about.
  • How it helps: Reinforces learning and makes it easier to remember.
  • Tips: Don't worry about perfection; focus on expressing the ideas.

• Read Aloud
  • What it is: Read the drawing book content out loud to yourself or others.
  • How it helps: Enhances your ability to process and understand the text.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to keep it interesting.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after you read it.
  • How it helps: Helps consolidate the information and review key points.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries concise and to the point.

• Challenge Yourself with New Genres
  • What it is: Occasionally choose drawing books that are slightly outside your usual interests.
  • How it helps: Broadens your knowledge and keeps reading exciting.
  • Tips: Give each new genre a fair chance before deciding whether it’s for you.

Remember, developing good reading habits isn't just about reading more—it's about reading better. These exercises are designed to help you engage more deeply with your drawing books and enjoy every page you turn. Grab your favorite drawing book, pick a couple of these exercises, and start building those mighty reading muscles today! Happy reading and drawing!