What you see isn't always what you get

PERSPECTIVE PACK

DK Publishing

Box set, $29.95

This helpful art kit features an illustrated, soft-cover guidebook, "An Introduction to Perspective," by Ray Smith, explaining the various techniques used in depicting perspective and offering some examples from the works of well-known artists.

It also contains a number of tools, including a drawing frame, a hinged ruler, squared and isometric paper, and step-by-step instructions on how to use them. Although the explanations, instructions, and illustrations are clear and easy to follow, this is not quite the book for very young children or absolute beginners who've never lifted a paintbrush or drawing pencil to paper. But it will be a welcome gift for the intermediate-level aspiring artist or for anyone who enjoys art and would like to learn more about how artists have dealt with the problem of portraying a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional canvas.