Steal Like an Artist Journal by Austin Kleon

Last updated: Oct 3, 2023

Summary of Steal Like an Artist Journal by Austin Kleon

The book "Steal Like an Artist Journal" by Austin Kleon is a companion journal to his original book "Steal Like an Artist." It is designed to help readers explore their creativity and develop their artistic skills through various exercises and prompts. The journal is divided into different sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of creativity. It begins with a section called "Getting Started," which encourages readers to reflect on their creative journey and set goals for themselves. This section also includes exercises to help readers identify their influences and sources of inspiration. The next section, "Finding Your Voice," delves into the importance of authenticity and originality in creative work. It prompts readers to explore their unique perspectives and express themselves through various mediums. The journal provides space for readers to write down their thoughts and ideas, as well as sketch or doodle their creations. The following section, "Steal Like an Artist," expands on the concept of borrowing ideas and techniques from other artists. It encourages readers to study the work of their favorite artists and analyze what makes their creations successful. The journal provides prompts for readers to create their own versions of existing artwork, allowing them to practice and develop their skills. The journal also includes sections on "Creativity and Time," "Side Projects and Hobbies," and "Sharing Your Work." These sections explore the importance of time management, the benefits of pursuing side projects, and the value of sharing one's work with others. Each section includes exercises and prompts to help readers apply these concepts to their own creative endeavors. Throughout the journal, Kleon emphasizes the importance of embracing mistakes, taking risks, and constantly learning and evolving as an artist. He encourages readers to experiment, explore different mediums, and push their creative boundaries. Overall, "Steal Like an Artist Journal" serves as a practical and interactive guide for readers to discover and nurture their creativity. It provides a space for reflection, exploration, and experimentation, allowing readers to develop their artistic skills and find their unique voice.

1. Embrace your influences

In "Steal Like an Artist Journal," Austin Kleon emphasizes the importance of embracing your influences rather than trying to hide or deny them. He encourages readers to study the work of others and learn from it, using it as a springboard for their own creativity. By acknowledging and embracing our influences, we can build upon the ideas that have come before us and create something new and unique.

This concept is liberating because it takes away the pressure of having to come up with completely original ideas. Instead, it encourages us to remix and reinterpret existing ideas in our own way. By embracing our influences, we can tap into a rich source of inspiration and find our own creative voice.

2. Share your work

Kleon emphasizes the importance of sharing your work with others, even if it's not perfect. He encourages readers to embrace the idea of "showing your work" and allowing others to see the process behind your creations. By sharing our work, we can gain valuable feedback, make connections with others, and inspire others with our ideas.

Sharing our work also helps us overcome the fear of judgment and perfectionism. It reminds us that creativity is a process, and that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. By sharing our work, we can also build a community of like-minded individuals who can support and encourage us on our creative journey.

3. Steal like an artist

The title of the book itself suggests a powerful concept: stealing like an artist. Kleon argues that all artists are influenced by the work of others, and that stealing ideas is a natural part of the creative process. However, he emphasizes the importance of transforming and remixing these stolen ideas to make them our own.

This concept challenges the notion of originality and encourages us to embrace the idea of building upon existing ideas. By stealing like an artist, we can take inspiration from a wide range of sources and create something new and unique. It also reminds us that creativity is not about coming up with something completely original, but rather about making connections and combining ideas in new and interesting ways.

4. Cultivate a creative routine

Kleon emphasizes the importance of establishing a creative routine to nurture our creativity. He suggests setting aside dedicated time for creative work, whether it's writing, drawing, or any other form of creative expression. By making creativity a regular part of our lives, we can develop our skills and make progress on our creative projects.

Having a creative routine also helps us overcome creative blocks and procrastination. By committing to a regular practice, we can push through resistance and keep our creative momentum going. It also sends a message to ourselves and others that creativity is a priority in our lives.

5. Embrace constraints

Kleon argues that constraints can actually be beneficial for creativity. Instead of seeing limitations as obstacles, he encourages us to embrace them as opportunities for innovation. Constraints force us to think creatively and find new solutions.

By embracing constraints, we can push the boundaries of our creativity and come up with unique and unexpected ideas. It also helps us focus our energy and resources on what truly matters, rather than getting overwhelmed by endless possibilities. Constraints can be a powerful tool for unlocking our creativity and finding new ways to express ourselves.

6. Keep a creative journal

Kleon suggests keeping a creative journal as a way to capture and document our ideas, inspirations, and observations. This journal can serve as a source of inspiration and a record of our creative journey.

Keeping a creative journal also helps us develop our creative thinking and problem-solving skills. By regularly documenting our thoughts and ideas, we can train our minds to think more creatively and make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. It also provides a space for experimentation and exploration, allowing us to try out new ideas and see what works.

7. Surround yourself with creative people

Kleon emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with creative people who inspire and challenge us. By being part of a creative community, we can learn from others, collaborate on projects, and gain valuable feedback and support.

Being around creative people also helps us stay motivated and inspired. It creates a positive and energizing environment where ideas can flourish. By surrounding ourselves with creative people, we can tap into a collective creative energy and push ourselves to new heights.

8. Embrace failure and learn from it

Kleon encourages readers to embrace failure as an essential part of the creative process. He argues that failure is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be embraced and learned from.

By embracing failure, we can overcome the fear of making mistakes and take more risks in our creative work. It also helps us develop resilience and perseverance, as we learn to bounce back from setbacks and keep going. Failure is not the end of the creative journey, but rather a stepping stone towards growth and improvement.