Christmas is Coming! Illustrator Wish List...

What are the hot art books and products this holiday season? Here are a couple of my ideas. Does anyone have anything else to add?

 An amazing collection of the artwork of Jeffery Jones. I hope to see the documentary that Maria Cabardo did that has been making the rounds http://macabfilms.com/, but until then, this will have to suffice...

http://budsartbooks.com/prod.cfm/pc/JJLH/cid/14

This book just came out and looks really cool. From the Bud Plant description:  "For the first time an exhaustive look at the art and career of Walt Kelly; from his days at Disney working on such films as Snow White, Fantasia, and Dumbo to his work for Dell comics. His brilliant Fairy Tale Parade and Animal Comics, culminating with his creation of Albert and Pogo as a comic book feature! This full color art book has it all!"

Pogo is probably one of the best cartoons ever, I definitely plan to check this out.

http://budsartbooks.com/prod.cfm/pc/WKLIFE/cid/14

Although this came out in 2008, it is a must have in any illustrator's book collection.

http://budsartbooks.com/prod.cfm/pc/JCLH/cid/14

I loved this art book. No matter how you felt about Brave, this book has some amazing concept sketches and paintings.

http://amzn.com/1452101426

Another animation art book, the Paranorman art book is amazing!
Not only concept art, but the armatures and sets are also discussed in depth.

http://amzn.com/1452110921

 Of course Spectrum 19 goes without saying.

http://amzn.com/1599290642

 I have been obsessed with keeping a sketchbook lately. This is a great resource to break the ice if you want to sketch more.

http://amzn.com/1440308683

This Plein Air easel from Dick Blick is really cool. It is unbelievably only $90 and comes with a carrying case.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-french-easel-by-jullian/

This product looks interesting for the plein air and urban sketcher. it is a portable stick chair. I am temped to try it out since finding a place to sit is sometimes the biggest challenge. I still think a situpon like we had in girl scout days would be more useful...

http://www.dickblick.com/products/the-original-stick-chair/

If you want a more conventional portable stool, this may be the ticket...

http://www.dickblick.com/products/mabef-folding-stool-m-39/

I have to admit I have fallen in love with these Hand Book Artist Journals by Global Art. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, have a nice tooth ant take watercolor well on both sides...

http://www.dickblick.com/products/hand-book-artist-journals/?clickTracking=true

But wait, there's more!

Creative Illustration is considered Andrew Loomis's magnum opus, which was aimed primarily at the professional-level illustrator. Divided into seven sections: Line, Tone, Color, Telling the Story, Creating Ideas, Fields of Illustration, and Experimenting and Studies, this book is filled with instructions, tips, insider experiences, and incredible illustrations.

http://amzn.com/1845769287

Suggestion from Brian Hagan:

"Jose Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Now legendary, these men have emerged as the most prominent figures of the famed Mexican mural movement, which lasted from the '20s through the early '70s and was hailed as the most significant achievement in public art of the 20th century. The dramatic story of the movement is told here in a fascinating history of the artists, accompanied by over 100 spectacular color reproductions of the murals"

http://amzn.com/0811819280

 Gift Certificate to Taos Sketch Journal Workshop by Amy Bogard:

This is a great week of soaking in the Taos, NM art scene and sketching. I would go again if I was not going to Italy in March.

http://www.amybogard.com/blog/?page_id=1179