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Instruction Books & Media Pricing
Current market data for instructional art books and media based on 12,269 listings.
What you'll usually pay
$15.95 typical price
Most are between$7–$60
Brand new$15.62
Used$15.03
On sale now12,269
👉 In short easy summary
The best value is found with Plaid (-28%) and Grumbacher (-25%) brands. Acrylic Painting guides command a premium at 13% above the median, while Pastels offer a 12% discount.
💚 Best value for your money
Plaid 172 on sale$11.49 · 28% cheaper
Grumbacher 296 on sale$11.97 · 25% cheaper
Walter Foster 2,076 on sale$12.99 · 19% cheaper
Pastels 192 on sale$13.99 · 12% cheaper
Oil Painting 1,847 on sale$14.95 · 6% cheaper
Price by brand
Why? Prices vary by publisher, ranging from Plaid at 11.49 to Unbranded at 17.76.
Price by technique
Why? Specialized media pricing differs, with Pastels at 13.99 and Acrylic Painting at 17.95.
🛒 Some on sale right now
Common questions
What is the typical cost of an instruction book?
The market median price is 15.95.
Is there a significant price difference between new and used copies?
New items have a median of 15.62, while used items have a median of 15.03.
Which brand is the most affordable based on median price?
Plaid is the most affordable at 11.49.
How we got these numbers
Worked out from 200 live eBay listings (price range $7–$60, odd outliers ignored). These are asking prices, so use them as a guide. Last checked August 3, 2026.