Reddit reviews Hawthorne on Painting (Dover Art Instruction)

While this is all well and good, and I agree with pretty much every sentiment in it, I don't think this is a good guide for actual painting. The best instruction I've ever received from text in the field of painting is a book called Hawthorne on Painting. For general art, I would also recommend a book called The War of Art. Both books are a huge kick in the ass in terms of getting work accomplished. Not to take away from the article linked here, but to say "there is no wrong way to make art" and "just paint," while both statements are true, neither really help you in accomplishing it.

This is a very late reply, but this is the best book on painting I've ever read https://www.amazon.com/Hawthorne-Painting-Dover-Art-Instruction/dp/048620653X