This Book Will Make You an Artist
Ruth Millington, illustrated by Ellen Surrey
Nosy Crow

Author and art historian, Ruth Millington, has created a truly inspiring book. Together with illustrator Ellen Surrey, she takes readers through the essential steps towards becoming an artist. First she looks at where our artistic endeavours might take place, then presents various tools and materials that artists use and introduces the colour wheel. Thereafter come the spreads that showcase individual artists, their techniques and examples of their creations.

Ellen’s superb illustrations will surely invite readers to experiment with hand printing in the style of a cave painter, use tiny tessera to design a mosaic like an ancient Roman, experiment with block printing in the style of Katsushika Hokusai, emulate Moses Williams by cutting a silhouette portrait,

have a go at pointillism, the technique used by George Seurat or, inspired by seeing the illustration of Yayoi Kusama’s work, even try making a polka-dot pumpkin. Maybe you’d rather get crafty and wrap a string sculpture like Judith Scott: I learned from this book that as well as wrapping many everyday items, she also covered herself in ribbons, scarves and fabric to make a sculpture of her own head. Also showcased among others, are Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Liu Bolin aka ‘the invisible man’ – a total of twenty five in all.

Back matter includes a glossary of terms and a short paragraph about both author and illustrator of this excellent book, one I’d suggest isn’t only for children. Anyone interested in art will find this a valuable resource.