Best Art Books for Home Education | Top Picks for Creative Kids

Some favourite art books for home ed

We love books — probably a bit too much, if that’s even possible! Our shelves are overflowing, but there's always room for one more inspiring title. These are a few of the art books that have sparked creativity and brought joy through imaginative ideas in our house. Most of these titles are fairly old and available second hand, so grab a bargain!

A note on transparency: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links 🛒. If you click through and buy something, I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only ever recommend things I genuinely trust and find useful. Every little bit helps support the running costs of The Home Ed Daily and keeps this free site going for the home-ed community 💚

A few picks from our bookshelf:

‘Artists: Their Lives and Works’ by DK Books. 🛒

This brilliant reference book features over 80 famous painters, their life stories, and their most iconic works. It’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of — and we do, all the time. It’s full of stunning images, timelines, and bite-sized art history facts that make it easy to explore and enjoy.

‘Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories’: A Children's History of Art by Michael Bird (Author), Kate Evans (Illustrator). 🛒

This beautifully written book takes children through 40,000 years of art, from cave paintings to modern masterpieces. Instead of dry facts, it tells vivid stories about artists and how they worked, making art history feel real and human. With a timeline, art-related places to explore, and lively illustrations, it’s a rich and inspiring read we truly love.

‘Let's Make Some Great Art’ & ‘Draw Paint Print like the Great Artists’, both by Marion Deuchars. 🛒

These interactive books are full of playful, hands-on activities that explore what art is, how it’s made, and how it’s changed over time. Each section introduces a famous artist and their techniques, then guides you to try them through drawing, painting, printing, or collage. Best of all, you can draw straight into the book — which feels delightfully bold and a bit rebellious!

'Art School: How to Paint & Draw' by Hazel Harrison 🛒

This practical guide covers essential techniques in drawing and painting with a wide range of materials — including pencil, charcoal, ink, watercolours, oils, acrylics and pastels. Step-by-step demos, expert tips, and inspiring works by contemporary artists bring each skill to life. With focused sections on portraits, figures, landscapes and buildings, it’s ideal for beginners and a valuable reference for more experienced artists too.

'You Can Draw' by Parragon 🛒

From racing cars to dancing dogs, this fun and modern guide teaches you how to draw over 100 quirky and creative things. With clear steps, tips, and techniques, it’s perfect for all skill levels — whether you’re sketching monkeys, moustaches or the world’s tallest hamburger!