Think Like an Artist: How to Live a Happier, Smarter, More Creative Life

Why do some people seem to find it easy to come up with brilliant, fresh ideas? And how do they turn them into something worthwhile?

After spending years getting up close and personal with some of the world's greatest creative thinkers, the BBC's Arts Editor Will Gompertz has discovered a handful of traits common to them all. Basic practices and processes that allow their talents to flourish, and which we can adopt – no matter what we do – to help us achieve extraordinary things too. It's time to Think Like an Artist and . . .

Become Seriously Curious
(Caravaggio's discovery of optical lenses changed art for ever.)

Think Big Picture and Fine Detail
(Turner transformed a masterpiece with a tiny dab of red paint.)

And realize . . . It's Nearly Always Plan B
(Mondrian spent years painting trees before becoming a master of abstraction.)

'Will Gompertz is the best teacher you never had.' Guardian