Book Summary: Steal Like An Artist
Austin Kleon’s Steal Like An Artist shares the hard truth that no artist creates their art in a vacuum. We’re all influenced by the work of others and often our art starts as imitations of those we admire. Most importantly it shows how imitating from various sources is the path to developing our own style and it’s ok to draw from others works, so long as we do it with the correct intent.
Related Book Summaries: Steal Like An Artist
The War Of Art – Steven Pressfield
The Magic Of Thinking Big – David Schwartz
Quotes:
Ask anybody doing truly creative work, and they’ll tell you the truth: They don’t know where the good stuff comes from. They just show up to do their thing. Every day.
What is originality? Undetected plagiarism.
If you have one person you’re influenced by, everyone will say you’re the next whoever. But if you rip off a hundred people, everyone will say you’re so original.
Steal Like An Artist Book Summary Notes:
No Original Art
There’s really no such thing as original art. Everyone is influenced by someone else or their work. All current works are simply an amalgamation of the works of those people who influenced them.
Even bands like the Beatles began by using other people’s work. They started out as a cover band.
Art, Genetics and Plagiarism
You can consider each piece of art the same way you would consider a human at the genetic level. We are all a mix of the genes we’re given by our parents, in the same way that an artist takes the works of their idols as influences and uses that to create their own works. Works that will inevitably be, at least in part, a mix of the artists influences.
Remember that plagiarism is not the same as copying someone else’s technique or style, it’s far more specific. When you first start out imitating your hero’s styles or techniques can be very beneficial. Strive to be like the artists you admire.
You’ll Always Need Something Else As Well
Don’t abandon your other hobbies and interests for your art. Sooner or later everyone hits roadblocks and you’ll need something else to do for awhile until you either recharge or have a breakthrough.
Even if you have the drive to become famous for your art one day, remember that while you’re not, obscurity allows you the freedom to make as many mistakes as you would like.
Always carefully consider what is in and around your creative workspace as well. Your workspace should be a source of inspiration as well as able to fully facilitate your work.
