The Interactive Art Book

A classic of its kind, paper engineer Ron van der Meer’s wonderfully inventive introduction to art has been reissued in a new edition.  Originally published as an adult title some 20 years ago, this version is accessible to a younger audience, although the sheer wealth and breadth of its contents ensure that it will be of interest to a wide age range.  Seven gatefold spreads cover different concepts in art ranging from techniques and materials to light and colour, pattern and composition.  Imaginative juxtapositions place Giotto next to Gainsborough, Quentin Blake alongside Cézanne, while a miniature student’s portfolio can be lifted out to view samples of the artists’ work.  Many of the works of art have acetate overlays or flaps to help explain composition or perspective.  A pop-up reconstruction of Vermeer’s Allegory of the Art of Painting shows how the artist made use of the camera obscura and other techniques of perspective and lighting to create the illusion of a three-dimensional space.  Other delights include a Calder mobile to construct, press-out card to create your own Mondrian-style abstract composition, and a pop-up version of Velázquez’s Las Meninas, while the removable Activity Book includes practical suggestions for collages, print making and sculpture.  A brilliant choice for a present or a prize giving, or for any potential art student.