Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is a refreshing and practical guide to creativity that challenges conventional wisdom about originality and artistic expression. Through 10 transformative principles, Kleon shows readers how to find inspiration, embrace influence, and develop their unique creative voice while building on the work of others.

The Philosophy of Creative Stealing

What It Means to “Steal Like an Artist”

Kleon begins by redefining what it means to be creative. Rather than striving for complete originality, he argues that all creative work builds on what came before. “Stealing like an artist” means:

• Studying the Masters: Learning from those who came before you
• Finding Inspiration: Drawing from multiple sources and influences
• Transforming Ideas: Making something new from existing elements
• Building on Tradition: Standing on the shoulders of giants

The Myth of Originality

• Nothing is Original: All ideas are combinations of existing ideas
• Influence is Inevitable: We’re all influenced by what we consume
• The Key is Transformation: Making something new from what exists
• Authenticity Through Synthesis: Finding your voice through combination

The Creative Process

• Absorb: Consume great work voraciously
• Study: Analyze what makes great work great
• Transform: Make it your own through your unique perspective
• Share: Put your work out into the world

The 10 Principles

1. Steal Like an Artist

The Core Principle: Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started.

What It Means

• Study Your Heroes: Learn from the people you admire
• Collect Inspiration: Gather ideas from everywhere
• Transform, Don’t Copy: Make it your own
• Build Your Library: Create a collection of influences

Practical Application

• Create a Swipe File: Collect inspiring work and ideas
• Study Your Influences: Analyze what you love about your heroes
• Practice Imitation: Learn by copying, then transform
• Document Everything: Keep track of your inspirations

2. Don’t Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started

The Identity Principle: Start making things before you have it all figured out.

The Problem

• Perfectionism: Waiting for the perfect moment or complete understanding
• Identity Crisis: Not knowing your “style” or “voice”
• Analysis Paralysis: Overthinking instead of creating

The Solution

• Start Now: Begin creating immediately
• Learn by Doing: Figure out who you are through the work
• Embrace Uncertainty: Be comfortable with not knowing
• Trust the Process: Your identity will emerge through practice

3. Write the Book You Want to Read

The Authenticity Principle: Create the work you wish existed.

What It Means

• Follow Your Curiosity: Make what interests you
• Fill the Gap: Create what’s missing in your life
• Be Your Own Audience: Make work you would want to consume
• Trust Your Taste: Your preferences are valid

Practical Application

• Identify Gaps: What do you wish existed?
• Follow Your Interests: What are you curious about?
• Create for Yourself: Make work you would enjoy
• Trust Your Instincts: Your taste is unique and valuable

4. Use Your Hands

The Physical Principle: Step away from the screen and work with your hands.

The Digital Problem

• Screen Fatigue: Too much time on devices
• Disconnection: Lack of physical engagement
• Distraction: Easy to get lost in digital tools

The Analog Solution

• Handwriting: Write by hand to think better
• Drawing: Sketch ideas and concepts
• Physical Objects: Work with tangible materials
• Movement: Get your body involved in the process

5. Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important

The Diversification Principle: Have multiple creative outlets.

Why Side Projects Matter

• Creative Cross-Pollination: Ideas flow between projects
• Mental Breaks: Give your main work a rest
• Skill Development: Learn new techniques
• Joy and Play: Keep creativity fun and enjoyable

Types of Side Projects

• Different Mediums: Try new forms of expression
• Collaborations: Work with others
• Experiments: Try new techniques or ideas
• Personal Projects: Work just for yourself

6. The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It with People

The Sharing Principle: Put your work out there and connect with others.

The Importance of Sharing

• Feedback: Get input from others
• Connection: Build relationships with your audience
• Motivation: Sharing keeps you accountable
• Opportunities: Open doors you didn’t know existed

How to Share Effectively

• Start Small: Share with friends and family first
• Be Consistent: Share regularly
• Be Generous: Give more than you take
• Be Authentic: Share your real process and struggles

7. Geography is No Longer Our Master

The Digital Principle: The internet has changed how we connect and create.

The New Reality

• Global Community: Connect with people worldwide
• Digital Collaboration: Work together across distances
• Online Learning: Access knowledge from anywhere
• Virtual Inspiration: Find inspiration online

How to Use This

• Build Online Presence: Share your work digitally
• Connect Globally: Reach out to people worldwide
• Learn Online: Take advantage of digital resources
• Collaborate Virtually: Work with people anywhere

8. Be Nice (The World is a Small Town)

The Community Principle: Treat everyone like they could be your next collaborator.

Why Being Nice Matters

• Karma: What goes around comes around
• Opportunities: You never know who might help you
• Reputation: Your reputation precedes you
• Community: Build a supportive network

How to Be Nice

• Be Generous: Share knowledge and resources
• Be Supportive: Encourage other creators
• Be Respectful: Treat everyone with dignity
• Be Grateful: Thank people who help you

9. Be Boring (It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done)

The Discipline Principle: Creativity requires routine and structure.

The Myth of the Chaotic Artist

• Discipline Over Drama: Consistency beats inspiration
• Routine is Freedom: Structure enables creativity
• Boring is Productive: Regular work gets results
• Process Over Perfection: Focus on showing up

Creating a Creative Routine

• Set Regular Hours: Work at the same time daily
• Create a Workspace: Have a dedicated creative space
• Eliminate Distractions: Remove what gets in the way
• Track Progress: Monitor your creative output

10. Creativity is Subtraction

The Minimalism Principle: Focus is more important than variety.

The Problem of Too Much

• Overwhelm: Too many options paralyze
• Distraction: Too many inputs scatter attention
• Dilution: Too many ideas weaken focus
• Burnout: Too much activity exhausts

The Power of Less

• Choose Your Influences: Be selective about what you consume
• Focus Your Energy: Concentrate on what matters most
• Simplify Your Process: Remove unnecessary steps
• Clarify Your Message: Say one thing well

The Creative Process in Practice

Finding Inspiration

• Read Widely: Consume diverse content and ideas
• Observe Everything: Pay attention to the world around you
• Collect Ideas: Keep a notebook or digital file
• Study Your Heroes: Learn from people you admire

Developing Your Voice

• Combine Influences: Mix different sources and styles
• Add Your Perspective: Include your unique experiences
• Experiment: Try different approaches and techniques
• Iterate: Refine and improve through practice

Building a Creative Practice

• Show Up Daily: Make creativity a habit
• Start Small: Begin with manageable projects
• Share Regularly: Put your work out into the world
• Learn Continuously: Always be learning and growing

Overcoming Creative Blocks

Common Creative Obstacles

• Fear of Failure: Worrying about not being good enough
• Perfectionism: Never feeling ready to share
• Comparison: Feeling inadequate compared to others
• Lack of Time: Not having enough time to create

Solutions and Strategies

• Embrace Imperfection: Done is better than perfect
• Focus on Process: Enjoy the journey, not just the destination
• Limit Comparison: Focus on your own growth
• Make Time: Prioritize creativity in your schedule

Building Creative Confidence

• Start Small: Begin with simple projects
• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge your achievements
• Learn from Failure: See mistakes as learning opportunities
• Trust Your Instincts: Believe in your creative abilities

The Digital Age and Creativity

Using Technology Wisely

• Digital Tools: Leverage technology for creativity
• Online Communities: Connect with other creators
• Digital Sharing: Use platforms to share your work
• Digital Learning: Access educational resources online

Balancing Digital and Analog

• Screen Time: Limit time on devices
• Hands-On Work: Include physical creative activities
• Nature Connection: Spend time outdoors for inspiration
• Mindful Consumption: Be intentional about what you consume

Building an Online Presence

• Choose Platforms: Pick the right places to share your work
• Be Consistent: Post regularly and reliably
• Engage Authentically: Connect genuinely with your audience
• Share Your Process: Let people see behind the scenes

Collaboration and Community

The Power of Collaboration

• Different Perspectives: Learn from others’ viewpoints
• Skill Sharing: Combine different talents and abilities
• Motivation: Keep each other accountable and inspired
• Opportunities: Open doors through connections

Building Creative Relationships

• Be Generous: Share knowledge and resources
• Support Others: Encourage and help fellow creators
• Stay Connected: Maintain relationships over time
• Give Credit: Acknowledge others’ contributions

Finding Your Creative Community

• Local Groups: Connect with creators in your area
• Online Communities: Join digital creative spaces
• Workshops and Classes: Learn with others
• Conferences and Events: Meet creators in person

The Business of Creativity

Making a Living from Your Art

• Multiple Income Streams: Diversify your revenue sources
• Value Your Work: Don’t undervalue your creative output
• Build an Audience: Develop relationships with your fans
• Be Professional: Treat your creativity as a business

Balancing Art and Commerce

• Commercial Projects: Work that pays the bills
• Personal Projects: Work that feeds your soul
• Finding Balance: Mix of both types of work
• Staying Authentic: Don’t compromise your values

Marketing Your Creativity

• Tell Your Story: Share your journey and process
• Be Consistent: Show up regularly for your audience
• Provide Value: Give more than you take
• Build Relationships: Connect genuinely with your audience

Creativity Across Different Fields

Visual Arts

• Drawing and Painting: Traditional and digital techniques
• Photography: Capturing and editing images
• Design: Creating functional and beautiful objects
• Digital Art: Using technology for creative expression

Writing and Communication

• Blogging: Sharing ideas and experiences
• Social Media: Creating engaging content
• Copywriting: Writing for business and marketing
• Creative Writing: Fiction, poetry, and personal essays

Music and Audio

• Composition: Creating original music
• Production: Recording and editing audio
• Podcasting: Sharing ideas through audio
• Sound Design: Creating audio for various media

Technology and Innovation

• Coding: Programming creative applications
• Web Design: Creating beautiful and functional websites
• App Development: Building useful digital tools
• Digital Innovation: Using technology creatively

The Future of Creativity

Emerging Trends

• AI and Creativity: Using artificial intelligence as a tool
• Virtual Reality: Creating immersive experiences
• Collaborative Creation: Working together across distances
• Sustainable Creativity: Creating with environmental awareness

Adapting to Change

• Lifelong Learning: Continuously developing new skills
• Flexibility: Adapting to new tools and platforms
• Innovation: Embracing new ways of creating
• Authenticity: Staying true to your voice amid change

The Role of Creativity in Society

• Problem Solving: Using creativity to address challenges
• Connection: Bringing people together through art
• Inspiration: Motivating others to create
• Change: Using creativity to make positive impact

Conclusion

Steal Like an Artist offers a refreshing and practical approach to creativity that demystifies the creative process and makes it accessible to everyone. By embracing influence, starting before you’re ready, and building a consistent creative practice, anyone can develop their artistic voice and make meaningful creative work.

The key insights from the book include:

• All creative work builds on what came before
• Start creating before you have everything figured out
• Create the work you wish existed
• Use your hands and step away from screens
• Side projects and hobbies fuel creativity
• Share your work generously with others
• The internet has changed how we connect and create
• Be nice to everyone you meet
• Routine and discipline enable creativity
• Focus and subtraction are powerful creative tools

Most importantly, the book reminds us that creativity is not about being completely original, but about finding your unique voice through the synthesis of influences and experiences. By studying the masters, embracing your influences, and consistently creating and sharing your work, you can develop your creative practice and make a meaningful contribution to the world.

“The only art I’ll ever study is stuff that I can steal from.” — David Bowie