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The Art of Optical Illusions

Deceptions to Challenge the Eye and the Mind

Foreword by Scott Kim
Paperback
$14.99 US
7.5"W x 8.8"H x 0.6"D   | 23 oz | 20 per carton
On sale Sep 04, 2018 | 224 Pages | 978-1-62354-093-7
Optical illusions intrigue the mind and delight the eye. Viewers try to perceive the visual shifts in a two-dimensional picture, but can't understand how a single still image can be so animated and rich. While even the simplest illusions please, this stunning volume goes far beyond the usual collection. Compiled by visual graphics expert Brad Honeycutt and puzzle master Terry Stickels--and featuring a foreword by renowned puzzle creator, computer game designer, and artist Scott Kim--this collection showcases over two hundred of the finest images from around the world. From Rafal Olbinski, Rob Gonsalves, and Octavio Ocampo to David Macdonald, Gene Levine, and M. C. Escher, THE ART OF THE ILLUSION covers the visual spectrum, from the most classic optical illusions to complex graphic and painterly designs that transform the impossible into believable. There are famous paintings, dazzling photographs, and amazing computer-enhanced eye treats that will make you look and look again. There's "Zipper Beach" with gulls zipping over the sands, "Table Top Towers" where a tower of blocks seems to meld into a city skyline, a librarian whose body is literally composed of books, and so many more astounding pieces. This is a must-have for those who already love optical illusions and those just discovering the wonders of the art.
I always find books on optical illusions fun to read. There's that certain delight you get when being tricked by an image, and also the sense of wonder when looking something improbable while trying to figure out what's wrong.

The Art of the Illusion, a 224-page hardcover authored by Brad Honeycutt and Terry Stickels, looks at the several forms of optical illusions such as drawings, photos, geometric shapes, 3D-like street paintings and others. Other than some of the more famous illusions, there are many new ones that I've not seen before.

Websites for the artists featured are also listed so you can explore more online.

It's a nice book to get if you like illusive art.
Parka Blogs
Terry Stickels is well-known for his three internationally syndicated columns. FRAME GAMES, seen in USA Weekend magazine, is read by over 48,000,000 people in 600 newspapers weekly. He concurrently writes STICKELERS for King Features, appearing in over 200 newspapers daily, including the Washington Post, the Chicago Sun–Times, the Denver Post, and the Toronto Star. He also is the featured puzzle columnist for the Guardian, London’s largest newspaper. In addition, Terry finds time to write books for both adults and children, and do motivational speaking. Brad Honeycutt is a web developer and optical illusion enthusiast. For over a decade, he has operated a popular optical illusion website, allowing him the opportunity to get to know many wonderful artists. He works with two of the world's leading stereogram creators to help publish several books containing their 3-D creations.
Art is a lie that makes us realize truth. — Pablo Picasso

Welcome to Th e Art of the Illusion, the richest and most diverse collection of illusionary art ever assembled in one book. Flip through the pages and you’ll fi nd works by established masters such as Dutch artist M. C. Escher, as well as innovators like Gianni A. Sarcone who take classic ideas in fresh new directions. You’ll fi nd scientists such as the dazzling Akiyoshi Kitaoka next to fi ne artists like the austere José María Yturralde. You’ll also fi nd diverse styles from all over the world, from the gentle, camouflaged landscapes of Russian artist Elena Moskaleva to the bold, graphic conundrums of Malaysian illustrator Chow Hon Lam.

This book was written by Brad Honeycutt and Terry Stickels. Terry is a puzzle designer, best known for his Frame Games, Stickdoku, and S-T-I-C-K-E-L-E-R-S newspaper columns, as well as many books. To locate artists for this book, Terry teamed up with the knowledgeable Brad Honeycutt, proprietor of the extensive illusionary art website, www.eyetricks.com. Together, they searched the world to find the best artists and illusions. Many of the artists have online portfolios; I encourage you to look up your favorite artists to see more of their work.

About

Optical illusions intrigue the mind and delight the eye. Viewers try to perceive the visual shifts in a two-dimensional picture, but can't understand how a single still image can be so animated and rich. While even the simplest illusions please, this stunning volume goes far beyond the usual collection. Compiled by visual graphics expert Brad Honeycutt and puzzle master Terry Stickels--and featuring a foreword by renowned puzzle creator, computer game designer, and artist Scott Kim--this collection showcases over two hundred of the finest images from around the world. From Rafal Olbinski, Rob Gonsalves, and Octavio Ocampo to David Macdonald, Gene Levine, and M. C. Escher, THE ART OF THE ILLUSION covers the visual spectrum, from the most classic optical illusions to complex graphic and painterly designs that transform the impossible into believable. There are famous paintings, dazzling photographs, and amazing computer-enhanced eye treats that will make you look and look again. There's "Zipper Beach" with gulls zipping over the sands, "Table Top Towers" where a tower of blocks seems to meld into a city skyline, a librarian whose body is literally composed of books, and so many more astounding pieces. This is a must-have for those who already love optical illusions and those just discovering the wonders of the art.

Praise

I always find books on optical illusions fun to read. There's that certain delight you get when being tricked by an image, and also the sense of wonder when looking something improbable while trying to figure out what's wrong.

The Art of the Illusion, a 224-page hardcover authored by Brad Honeycutt and Terry Stickels, looks at the several forms of optical illusions such as drawings, photos, geometric shapes, 3D-like street paintings and others. Other than some of the more famous illusions, there are many new ones that I've not seen before.

Websites for the artists featured are also listed so you can explore more online.

It's a nice book to get if you like illusive art.
Parka Blogs

Author

Terry Stickels is well-known for his three internationally syndicated columns. FRAME GAMES, seen in USA Weekend magazine, is read by over 48,000,000 people in 600 newspapers weekly. He concurrently writes STICKELERS for King Features, appearing in over 200 newspapers daily, including the Washington Post, the Chicago Sun–Times, the Denver Post, and the Toronto Star. He also is the featured puzzle columnist for the Guardian, London’s largest newspaper. In addition, Terry finds time to write books for both adults and children, and do motivational speaking. Brad Honeycutt is a web developer and optical illusion enthusiast. For over a decade, he has operated a popular optical illusion website, allowing him the opportunity to get to know many wonderful artists. He works with two of the world's leading stereogram creators to help publish several books containing their 3-D creations.

Excerpt

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth. — Pablo Picasso

Welcome to Th e Art of the Illusion, the richest and most diverse collection of illusionary art ever assembled in one book. Flip through the pages and you’ll fi nd works by established masters such as Dutch artist M. C. Escher, as well as innovators like Gianni A. Sarcone who take classic ideas in fresh new directions. You’ll fi nd scientists such as the dazzling Akiyoshi Kitaoka next to fi ne artists like the austere José María Yturralde. You’ll also fi nd diverse styles from all over the world, from the gentle, camouflaged landscapes of Russian artist Elena Moskaleva to the bold, graphic conundrums of Malaysian illustrator Chow Hon Lam.

This book was written by Brad Honeycutt and Terry Stickels. Terry is a puzzle designer, best known for his Frame Games, Stickdoku, and S-T-I-C-K-E-L-E-R-S newspaper columns, as well as many books. To locate artists for this book, Terry teamed up with the knowledgeable Brad Honeycutt, proprietor of the extensive illusionary art website, www.eyetricks.com. Together, they searched the world to find the best artists and illusions. Many of the artists have online portfolios; I encourage you to look up your favorite artists to see more of their work.