How To Art

Bringing a Fancy Subject Down to Earth so We Can All Enjoy It

By: Kate Bryan, David Shrigley

Narrated by: Kate Bryan

Brought to you by Penguin.

What is art, where do I find it, and once I’m in front of it, what am I supposed to think about it?

Kate Bryan is a self-confessed art addict who has worked with art for over twenty years. But before she studied art history at university, she’d been into a gallery just twice in her life and had no idea she was entering an elitist world.

Now, she’s on a mission to help everybody come to art. Like playing or listening to music, or cooking and eating great food, reading or watching films, making art or looking at other people’s deserves to be an enriching part of all our lives.

So here, in HOW TO ART, is a nifty way to take art on your own terms. From where it is to what it is, to tips on how to actually enjoy really famous artworks like the Mona Lisa, to how to own art and make art at home, through to vital advice for making a career as an artist and even how to make your dog more cultural, How to Art gives art to everyone, and makes it fun.

'Finally! Art without terror!' Phoebe Waller-Bridge

‘A completely joyful book about the joy of art. A cracking, easy read that puts art in our lives, our homes, our hearts’ Richard Curtis

‘A whole art education in one book. Written in accessible language, communicating the joy that is art, both to make and to look at. It’s what the art world needs – fresh air’ Philippa Perry

‘In this book, you hold in your hand a set of luminous keys to infinite doors in the world of art.’ Es Devlin

'The definitive 'how to' guide to not being intimidated by the world of art and artists. It brings joy, which is a powerful thing' Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate

© Kate Bryan 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Critic reviews

A much-needed antidote to an art world fogged with jargon and pretension. Bryan's book is honest, humane, and crammed with revelatory insights (James Fox)

How To Art is a cry from the heart, a call to arms ... Read it, enjoy and be liberated.

A delightful guide for enjoying more art, Bryan's witty volume - adorned with original artworks by David Shrigley - shows how to take art on your own terms.

A joyous and liberating new book that I love … How to Art is friendly, witty and super-accessible, so if art slightly scares you, or if you’ve ever stood in front of a painting feeling gauche and tongue-tied, you’re going to love it (such an inspired idea, this book). Plus David Shrigley! … Funny, joyful and completely demystifies what art ‘is’ and how to approach it, buy it, look at it, spend time with it, talk about it and make it. (India Knight)

Finally! Art without terror! (Phoebe Waller-Bridge)

A completely joyful book about the joy of art. A cracking, easy read that puts art in our lives, our homes, our hearts. (Richard Curtis)

In this book, you hold in your hand a set of luminous keys to infinite doors in the world of art. (Es Devlin)

The definitive 'how to' guide to not being intimidated by the world of art and artists. It brings joy, which is a powerful thing. (Maria Balshaw, Director of Tate)

Like food, art has that wonderful ability to bring us joy. Kate is the perfect expert to help us all develop a more meaningful relationship with art. (Jamie Oliver)

Art is a fundamental part of being alive and Kate's book helps everybody get involved. (Russell Tovey)