Have you ever looked at a painting by Holbein, or Titian, or Matisse, and wondered 'How was that done?' Taking a practical rather than a theoretical approach to appreciating art, this book tells the story that lies beneath the surface of the paintings and takes the reader on a journey that reveals how the end results were achieved. Along the way we find out about the complexities, dangers, successes and failures of the artist's search for brilliant colours, useful tools and effective techniques. Guided by artist and conservator Philippa Abrahams, we follow the history of art from the drawings of Michelangelo to the works of Jackson Pollock and David Hockney. The story is punctuated by changes in materials and techniques that enabled artists to work in different ways.