Meet the Artists! Tactile-Audio experiences to inspire creativity.

Have you ever wondered why we are called Living Paintings? Nearly 35 years ago we were founded as a charity that brought great works of life to art through touch and sound, so blind and visually impaired people of all ages could experience iconic works by history’s master painters.

Today, we bring all aspects of the visual world to life for our library members, but art continues to hold a very special place in our heart. To help blind and visually impaired children experience Monet’s impressionism or come face-to-face with the Mona Lisa is an absolute privilege – and we’re incredibly proud to continue this legacy!

Given our history, our collection of tactile-audio books and resources is HUGE – but below are a few picks to help blind and visually impaired children and young people learn more about art, and even try their hand at creating their own!

Vincent Van Gogh

Meet the Dutch master impressionist with this tactile-audio experience pack aimed at Key Stage 2 and 3 children. Alongside his most famous piece, Sunflowers, the pack also includes feely versions of Chair and Pipe and Postman Roulin alongside gentle audio guides. It also comes with the brilliant picture book, Camille and the Sunflowers from Laurence Anholt’s classic Artists Series.

Borrow Vincent Van Gogh

Discovering Rembrandt

Staying on the Dutch theme, Discovering Rembrandt is a recent addition to the Living Paintings Library! Meet ‘Rembrandt’ himself as he guides you through his life and work in an atmospheric audio guide. Included are five of Rembrandt’s most celebrated works, including Self Portrait in a Fur Cap, Girl at a Window, and A Woman Bathing in a Stream. This pack is perfect for learners aged 11+.

Borrow Discovering Rembrandt

Edgar Degas

Learn more about the legendary French Impressionist, Edgar Degas with this tactile-audio resource packed full of his most famous works, including The Little Ballet Dancer, Combing the Hair and Edmond Duranty. Perfect for Key Stage 2 and 3 learners, included is Laurence Anholt’s picture book Degas and the Little Dancer, with detailed tactile images of the ballet positions to have a go yourself!

Borrow Edgar Degas

Create Contemporary Art

A great springboard to creating your own contemporary artworks, learn more about the modern artists who are breaking new ground and, dare we say, often dividing opinion! Included in this pack are works from Grayson Perry, Tracy Emin, Sir Peter Blake, David Shrigly, and Jeremy Deller. Emin’s famous My Bed makes it to this pack. Fun fact, the father of one Living Paintings staff member added his own snotty tissue to this piece on a family trip to the Tate Modern in the early 00’s. I wonder if that tissue appears on the feely picture! Designed for learners aged 11+

Borrow Create Contemporary Art

Claude Monet

This educational pack for Key Stage 2 and 3 learners gives an insight into the life, works and inspirations of celebrated French Impressionist Claude Monet. Included are famous works The Water-Lily Pond, Waterlilies and Agapanthus, and Poplars on the River Epte. Within the pack, you’ll also find Laurence Anholt’s picture book The Magical Garden of Claude Monet alongside more tactile images inspired by the grand-master of impressionism.

Borrow Claude Monet