Goth and Alternative Books I Recommend (for Artists + Creatives)
If you’re the kind of artist who finds inspiration in haunted houses, surreal skulls, dripping color palettes, and witchy vibes—this book list is for you. I’m always on the hunt for books that fuel my creativity, and I love mixing creepy art, gothic style, and creative business tools to keep the ideas flowing.
Here are some of my favorite goth and alternative books that have inspired me as an artist, a small business owner, and a spooky soul creating my own path.
🖤 1. Melted Macabre: A Drippy Trippy Coloring Book – by Me!
Of course I had to include my own coloring book! Melted Macabre is filled with 21 original creepy-cute, skull-centric designs made for adult colorers and spooky souls. It’s great for relaxing, experimenting with color, and even framing pages for wall art.
👉 Grab it on Lulu or Get the Amazon version
✨ Bonus: Pair it with gel pens or Prismacolors for the best results!
🖌 2. The Adorable Circle of Life Adult Coloring Book by Alex Solis
Alex Solis is the king of unsettling-but-adorable, and his art coloring books are packed with clever twists on pop culture and horror. Great for visual inspiration, especially if you like bending the rules of “cute.”
💀 3. Dark Art: A Horror Coloring Book by François Gautier
If you love filling your sketchbooks with skulls and shadows, this is a coloring book you’ll want on your shelf. It’s moody, stylish, and makes a great companion to Melted Macabre.
🧃 4. Creative Strategy & the Business of Design by Douglas Davis
For the artists and small shop owners like me, this book breaks down how to think about branding, communication, and value—without losing your voice. It’s helped me shape illymakes into a brand, not just a vibe.
🕯 5️⃣ The Art of Darkness: A Treasury of the Morbid, Melancholic and Macabre
A stunning visual book filled with gothic paintings, photography, and folklore. Flip through it anytime you need creative fuel or an aesthetic reset.
🖼 Bonus: Add Some Art to Your Shelves
Books are amazing, but pairing them with wall art that matches your aesthetic? Chef’s kiss. I like mixing art prints into my bookshelf styling to create an inspiring corner.
👉 Check out my drippy skull prints on Etsy – they look great framed next to spooky reads.
📌 Final Thoughts
Whether you're coloring, researching, or just flipping through for vibes, these books have helped me creatively and professionally—and they totally feed my spooky soul.
Got a favorite alternative art book I should check out? DM me or tag me on socials—I'm always adding to my collection!
🛒 Shop the Picks
✅ Melted Macabre Coloring Book on Lulu
✅ Drippy Skull Art Prints
