How To Art: Bringing a Fancy Subject Down to Earth so We Can All Enjoy It

by Kate Bryan, David Shrigley (Illustrator)

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.

Laced throughout with original artworks by the very down-to-earth artist David Shrigley.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2025

Reviews

[Steven Abel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it doesn’t really know who it’s talking to. One moment it’s giving advice for absolute beginners on how to start drawing, and the next it’s diving into composition, which to me feels like a pretty big jump in skill level.

There are parts about buying art at auction and other sections on writing an artist statement. So… who is this for? A new artist? Someone trying to go pro? An art dealer? A casual art fan? It feels like the book is trying to cater to everyone but doesn't really go deep enough to be of much use to anyone.

And then there are two full pages about bringing your dog to an art gallery, which honestly just felt very strange and like an attempt to be "artsy". The book has interesting bits here and there, but the lack of focus makes it a bit confusing overall.

[gretch]

DNF I fear I got bored

[Amanda McLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate packs a lot into this book--I almost feel like it might have been a touch TOO ambitious. On the whole though I feel like she did a great job of demystifying art, as well as talking about the less glamorous aspects of the art world (including talking about making money). I also thought the guidance on talking about art you don't like was appropriate and timely.

Her writing style is accessible and easy to read, and her explanations of different aspects of the art world never felt like they were being dumbed down. I particularly enjoyed her guidance on curating your own art collection and how to display art. I'd really love to have heard her say that there is no connection between the price of art and how much you love a piece, and that you really loving it is more important than how much you paid for it. (Of course she's straddling two worlds with this book, which does make that challenging.)

On the whole, I found this a very engaging read.

[Ben Butterworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this trend in recent non-fiction, where authors use clear, plain English to say something meaningful and profound. This book is a joy to read.

After finishing "How To Art", I feel an openness to art I've not felt before. It's nice to be a bit less of a cynic about the whole affair. Now I've got a bunch of new ideas I want to try out, ideas I would've felt unqualified or unfit to pursue had Bryan not poured her heart into this book. She's done exactly what she set out to achieve: art feels less pretentious and more human.

This will probably end up being my favourite book of 2025. For the first time ever in a Goodreads review, I am designating a book a MUST READ. Find it, buy it, read it.

[Marnie Glue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't too sure what to expect from this book. I thought it would be tailored to people who are really unfamiliar with the art world, and I wasn't sure how useful it would be to me. So, I opted to listen to the audiobook, read by the author... I really enjoyed it, and I'm now keen to get a physical copy!

The book covers everything from how to experience art in galleries to how to make a living as an artist. It was really thorough, and at times it acts like a cheat sheet manual for artists.

Well worth a read for anyone interested in art, whether you're an artist at any stage in your career, or someone who admires artwork and galleries, or even just focus on the first half of the book if you're convinced art isn't for you. I'll definitely read it again.

[Mariana Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó!!! Es un mundo que puede intimidar y muchas veces quieres entrar en el y no sabes cómo empezar, o vas a un museo y no sabes cómo disfrutar ni cómo hablar de lo que estás viendo, excelente si quieres aprender sobre el arte y disfrutarlo.

[Liam O'bey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this. It inspired me to draw an expressive Barney Gumble on my Microsoft paint.
The thing that always winds me up about painting is the paint and the faff... so I am now making art with a stylus and a tablet.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and interesting book all about Art, how to find it, how to talk about it (good and bad), and how to make it. She keeps it light and amusing while offering tons of information. The chapter headings make it easy to find what you’re interested in.

[Magdalena Gudmundsdottir · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming and readable but after the first half sort of falls apart when it can't decide on its audience. no we can't all fill our houses with works of art "starting" at £500

[Banikoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some Parts are really interesting (I skipped the parts “for artists”): how to see art with children, how to do art, how to watch art.