If you've been paying attention to certain parts of the Web recently, you may be familiar with a rising chorus of voices talking about creativity as "remixing." The broad thesis is that creativity isn't a mystical flash of insight in the mind of a lone genius, but rather a combinatorial, collaborative process in which artists and designers consciously and gradually combine existing ideas into novel forms. Books like "The Gift", by Lewis Hyde, and video series like "Everything is a Remix", by Kirby Ferguson, champion this burgeoning idea (and are name-checked by Kleon at the end of "Artist"). But if Hyde and Ferguson are the theorists charting the contours of these new ideas, Kleon is the practitioner, the man-of-artistic-action, bringing the means and the message to the people.
"Steal Like An Artist" began as a lecture given by Kleon at Broome Community College that later emerged as a viral blog post. Kleon makes no effort to hide the fact that the blog post forms the skeleton of "Artist". But even if you've memorized the post, Kleon layers enough muscle and flesh on it that you feel like you're encountering his core ideas all over again. The same rush of discovery and energy awaits.
Kleon describes himself as "a writer that draws," and "Artist" is proof of that. He designed the book himself and his voice and style shine through. "Artist" feels unified, innovative, balanced, and, above all, intimate. The book is small, like a big cocktail napkin. It's full of illustrations by Kleon and little flourishes that keep things brisk as you read. The small size makes the book feel approachable, ready to provide a quick inspiration burst if need be. Kleon describes ten basic principles to boost your creativity. He lists them on the back cover of the book (a choice that Kindle purchasers will miss) so that they're easily referenced. It's a small touch, but emblematic of the book's careful construction.
Most importantly, "Artist" is focused on practicality. Kleon has absorbed the lessons of Hyde and Ferguson, but he wants to do more than evangelize; he wants to transform. "Artist" is stuffed with practical tips that you can adopt. In fact, there's a section at the very end of the book titled "What Now?", in which Kleon gives you a long, itemized list of things you can do *right now* to prime your creative pump.
One recent book that Kleon doesn't reference is "Where Good Ideas Come From", by Steve Johnson. "Good Ideas" is one of the best new books about spurring creativity, but it's primarily focused on principles of creativity and their historical origins. "Artist" is a perfect companion to "Good Ideas". Once you've read Johnson's book and your head is full of theory, Kleon's book comes along and gives you a good, firm (and lighthearted) kick in the pants to send you on your way. You certainly don't need to read "Good Ideas" or any other book to receive the full benefit of "Artist". It's a short, heady blast of exuberance that's guaranteed to kick-start your imagination.
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From the Publisher
Steal Like an Artist
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The Steal Like an Artist Journal
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| Customer Reviews |
19,870
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892
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| Price | EUR 7.14 | EUR 11.79 |
| Also from Austin Kleon | An inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age, Steal Like an Artist presents ten transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life. | From the New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work!. and Keep Going, an interactive journal and all-in-one logbook to get your creative juices flowing, and keep a record of your ideas and discoveries. |
About the author
Customers say
Customers find this book informative and full of great advice, with fresh ideas about creativity that are particularly helpful for beginning creatives. The book is easy to read multiple times and serves as required reading for high school students, with one customer noting it can be read in one sitting. Customers appreciate its simple, easy-to-grasp concepts and find it practical, with one mentioning it's particularly useful for small creative businesses. The book's length receives positive feedback, with customers noting it's neither too long nor too short.
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1543 customers mention content, 1489 positive, 54 negative
This a great book. I've been using the tools in the book for about 15 yeas. It helped me to understand them better. I will keep applying them.Read more
Inspiring! So many books out there sound the same. They start out with the problem then attempt a solution. This book gets to the point at once....Read more
This was a great read, gives you alot of insight on different ways you can create art, providing the author's own experiences and ideas....Read more
Good book to place in the bathroom for guests. Lots of of fun ideas and thoughts. Reminds me of that book Taxi Driver Wisdom.Read more
469 customers mention ideas, 459 positive, 10 negative
...I love this book because it shatters the myth that good ideas just pop into your head; Its proposition is that anybody can be creative....Read more
Creative and engaging but I find it difficult to review "Steal Like an Artist" because the book is an amalgamation of advice, anecdotes, and...Read more
Very fun and creative book. Enjoyed the read and the ideas. Perfect for your coffee table library!Read more
Thoroughly enjoyed Kleon's style of writing. Great ideas. Gave this book to my great niece, an aspiring artist. Easy reading and re-reading.Read more
344 customers mention readability, 336 positive, 8 negative
Easy read full of thought provoking ideas that will help you be more creative and make you realise that you may be more creative than you realized.Read more
Super funny and easy to read, yet super insightful. I read it during one Lunch break at work and it left a smile on my Face for the rest of the day.Read more
It was concise and clear. Enjoyable read.Read more
...A great short read, that is honest and will have you thinking about your own journey immediately. A definite book worth reading.Read more
294 customers mention entertaining, 287 positive, 7 negative
I can’t begin to express how fun and light hearted book this is! So practical and so mind boggling! Thank you for this amazing inspiring book!Read more
This is a fun read. It crystallizes a lot of concepts you likely already know or have considered. His passion definitely shows through in this work....Read more
I could not put down Austin Kleon's book! It was so well put and fun to read.Read more
An awesome book, easy to read, interesting, and with great advices inside. I highly recommend it! Thank Austin! Now, to go for a walkRead more
249 customers mention read time, 242 positive, 7 negative
A quick read that was a great guide on how to find your own creative voice through imitating your heroes, and filling the gaps of boredom in the day...Read more
This book was a quick, concise, and informative read full of useful tools to help anyone wanting to seriously exercise their creative muscles....Read more
It's a fast read, well extremely fast. It's true also, but I don't think it is limited to artists....Read more
Fast, dense, helpful, inspiring, I'll re-read this one several times. Good book to have on you iPad for easy referenceRead more
162 customers mention length, 128 positive, 34 negative
I thought that this book was great. It was short, to the point and the author provided some very useful tools that I can't wait to implement in my...Read more
...Small bold and large fonts, took less than an hour to breeze through but the lessons and advice will always come handy so I can reach for it again...Read more
Austin delves out sound advice and motivating suggestions. This is a short book, packed with golden nuggets of wisdom, born of experience.Read more
I was disappointed in this book. It is very short and not much more than a collection of simple T-shirt or bumper sticker slogans with little real...Read more
154 customers mention simplicity, 149 positive, 5 negative
To the point, and simple, how to learn from others, "steal" tongue and cheek, but encouraging to emulate what you like, to develop your own style.Read more
This book has some good tips. It's easy and fast to read Very small time commitment since many pages consist of a scribbled headline, or a sentence...Read more
...Complete common sense, presented in a no nonsense, way. Easy to follow, remember, and execute! Great author, great book. I am a fan now!Read more
...keeping the reader absorbed is immediately evident and deliberate - very simple but to the points....Read more
145 customers mention practical, 141 positive, 4 negative
Excellent; well-written; and helpful. The author compresses many complex thoughts and concepts into very easy to understand pages....Read more
Loved this very simply, short, practical, sensible and enabling book. Adapting it into lots of areas of my life and worldview. Thanks.Read more
...book "Show Your Work." It was a quick and easy read, but VERY helpful and inspiring.Read more
...down how to take something, make it your own, but in a way that is useful and not degrading....Read more
A great boost for creative flow!
This book was such a fun and refreshing read. It’s short, but filled with creative advice that actually sticks. Austin Kleon explains the creative process in a way that feels honest, simple, and surprisingly motivating. If you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired, this one really helps shake things loose. I also bought the companion workbook, and it’s absolutely worth it. The prompts helped me reflect and turn the book’s ideas into real action. It’s one thing to read about creativity, but it’s another to sit with the questions and figure out what that means for your own work. This book is not just for artists. It’s for anyone who wants to make things and needs a little spark. I’ll definitely be keeping it nearby for when I need a creative nudge.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book was such a fun and refreshing read. It’s short, but filled with creative advice that actually sticks. Austin Kleon explains the creative process in a way that feels honest, simple, and surprisingly motivating. If you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired, this one really helps shake things loose.
I also bought the companion workbook, and it’s absolutely worth it. The prompts helped me reflect and turn the book’s ideas into real action. It’s one thing to read about creativity, but it’s another to sit with the questions and figure out what that means for your own work.
This book is not just for artists. It’s for anyone who wants to make things and needs a little spark. I’ll definitely be keeping it nearby for when I need a creative nudge.
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Top reviews from other countries
- Jaime Eduardo Sauret FagreReviewed in the Netherlands on June 4, 2024
This is the book to bring your creative idea to life!
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - ZeyadReviewed in Egypt on June 12, 2022
NOT THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE BOOK
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - Laura reviewsReviewed in Sweden on September 25, 2023
Quick delivery
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
