20 Best Art Theory Books

Are you looking for the best art theory books? If so, you're not alone. Thousands of people turn to the internet each day to find books that they can purchase and have delivered right to their doorsteps.

The good news is that there are a number of great art theory books. The bad news is that with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.

To help you make the best decision, we've compiled a list of some of the best-selling art theory books:

Bestseller No. 1
Art in the After-Culture: Capitalist Crisis and Cultural Strategy
  • Davis, Ben (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 180 Pages - 03/15/2022 (Publication Date) - Haymarket Books (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2
Art in Theory 1900 - 2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1288 Pages - 10/22/2002 (Publication Date) - Blackwell Publishing (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3
But Is It Art?: An Introduction to Art Theory
  • Freeland, Cynthia (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 04/04/2002 (Publication Date) - Oxford University Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 4
Art Fundamentals 2nd edition: Light, shape, color, perspective, depth, composition & anatomy
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 05/12/2020 (Publication Date) - 3DTotal Publishing (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 5
Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics (California Studies in the History of Art) (Volume 11)
  • Herschel B. Chipp (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 688 Pages - 06/15/1968 (Publication Date) - University of California Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 6
Concerning the Spiritual in Art
  • Wassily Kandinsky (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 96 Pages - 06/01/1977 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 7
Theory of the Gimmick: Aesthetic Judgment and Capitalist Form
  • Ngai, Sianne (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 416 Pages - 12/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 8
Color Theory For Dummies
  • Hibit, Eric (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 09/07/2022 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 9
Nature's Palette: A Color Reference System from the Natural World
  • Hardcover Book
  • Baty, Patrick (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 05/18/2021 (Publication Date) - Princeton University Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 10
How to Make Art at the End of the World: A Manifesto for Research-Creation
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Loveless, Natalie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 161 Pages - 08/09/2019 (Publication Date) - Duke University Press Books (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 11
The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition: Expert Color Information for Professional Results
  • The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone Edition
  • Eiseman, Leatrice (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 216 Pages - 10/26/2017 (Publication Date) - Rockport Publishers (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 12
Theatre/Theory/Theatre: The Major Critical Texts from Aristotle and Zeami to Soyinka and Havel (Applause Books)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 499 Pages - 11/01/2003 (Publication Date) - Applause (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 13
Methods and Theories of Art History
  • Methods and Theories of Art History
  • Laurence King Publishing
  • ABIS BOOK
  • Cothren, Michael (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
SaleBestseller No. 14
The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life
  • Dixit, Avinash K. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 512 Pages - 01/04/2010 (Publication Date) - W. W. Norton & Company (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 15
The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Book 33)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 290 Pages - 04/20/2012 (Publication Date) - Wiley (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 16
Interaction of Color: 50th Anniversary Edition
  • Albers, Josef (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 208 Pages - 06/28/2013 (Publication Date) - Yale University Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 17
Art Theory: An Historical Introduction
  • Williams, Robert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 344 Pages - 03/09/2009 (Publication Date) - Wiley-Blackwell (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 18
Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artists' Writings (Second Edition, Revised and Expanded by Kristine Stiles)
  • Stiles, Kristine (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1168 Pages - 09/25/2012 (Publication Date) - University of California Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 19
Werner's Nomenclature of Colours - Adapted to Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Anatomy, and the Arts
  • Hardcover Book
  • Syme, Patrick (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 82 Pages - 03/11/2020 (Publication Date) - Art Meets Science (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 20
Special Subjects: Basic Color Theory: An introduction to color for beginning artists (How to Draw & Paint)
  • Mollica, Patti (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 40 Pages - 11/06/2018 (Publication Date) - Walter Foster Publishing (Publisher)

If you love to read, there's nothing better than finding to buy new art theory books in your collection. But with so many options available, how do you know which ones are worth your time and money?

Here are a few tips to help you to buy the best art theory books online:

  1. Check out online reviews. With so many different opinions out there, it can be tough to know which books are actually worth reading. Checking out online reviews from trusted sources can help you narrow down your options.
  2. Consider the price. It's important to find books that fit your budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options available at a variety of price points.
  3. Look for deals and discounts. Many online retailers offer discounts on certain art theory books, so it's worth checking around to see if you can snag a good deal.
  4. Consider the author's reputation. If you're familiar with an author's other work and liked it, there's a good chance you'll enjoy their new book.
  5. Go beyond the bestsellers. Bestselling art theory books are often popular for a reason, but don't be afraid to explore other titles that may not be as well-known. You might be surprised at what you find!
  6. Make sure you check the shipping policy before you buy anything. Many online retailers offer free shipping, but sometimes it comes with a catch - like a minimum order amount.
  7. If you're not sure about a store's return policy, give them a call or send them an email to ask. Most online stores will allow you to return items within a certain time frame, but some have stricter policies than others.
  8. Be sure to choose a store that accepts the payment method you're most comfortable with. Some stores only accept credit cards, while others accept other forms of payment.
  9. Trust your gut. Ultimately, you should choose the book that feels right for you. If something doesn't feel quite right, don't force yourself to read it. There are plenty of other great books out there!
  10. Take your time. There's no rush when it comes to finding new art theory books to read. So, take your time browsing, and don't feel like you need to make a purchase right away.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to find the best art theory books. Happy reading!