Rethinking Originality: What Steal Like an Artist Gets Right About Creativity

Book Review: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Why creative work isn’t about originality, but authenticity

Some books offer step-by-step instruction. Others feel like a creative spark. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon falls into the second category. It is part manifesto, part sketchbook, and part invitation to stop overthinking and start making. With a relaxed tone and visual notes throughout, Kleon encourages us to let go of the pressure to be original and instead follow the work that inspires us.

First published in 2012, the book has continued to resonate with artists, designers, writers, and anyone who makes things. Kleon’s message is clear: creative work does not begin in isolation. It begins in influence. Rather than fearing imitation, we are better off learning how to study, remix, and grow from the creative voices that move us.

This is a book for people who feel blocked before they begin. It is for those who believe that everything has already been said, or that they have nothing new to add. And it is a timely reminder that creative work is often less about being unique and more about being honest.

The promise of the book

Kleon opens with a disarming idea: nothing is original. He does not mean this as a dismissal of creativity, but as an entry point. By letting go of the myth of total originality, we can move more freely in our own practice. The book promises to help readers develop a more sustainable, grounded relationship with making. It encourages curiosity, consistency, and play over perfection.

Organised around ten simple principles, each chapter offers a different way to think about creativity. These include concepts like “collect good ideas,” “use your hands,” and “be boring,” each expanded through examples, quotes, and short reflections. Together, the chapters build a mindset that is supportive rather than intimidating.

What the book delivers

Despite its small size, the book offers lasting insight. Early chapters explore how to build a creative lineage by studying the people and ideas you admire. Kleon encourages readers to go beyond surface-level inspiration and dive deep into the influences behind their favourite artists. He describes this as building a family tree of creativity, one that gives context to your own work.

In later chapters, Kleon shifts focus to creative process. He suggests keeping a swipe file of ideas, working with analogue tools, and showing your work before it feels complete. He emphasises that making is not a linear journey. It is iterative and often messy. He does not shy away from the discomfort of sharing, but he does offer a reassuring voice for how to move through it.

Throughout the book, he includes sketches, handwritten notes, and quotes from other artists. These visual elements help loosen the material. They give the reader permission to mark up the book, respond in the margins, and treat it like a working tool rather than a finished object.

Style and tone

The tone of the book is one of its most consistent strengths. Kleon does not speak from a pedestal. His voice is clear, friendly, and encouraging without slipping into sentimentality. He shares from personal experience but does not ask readers to follow his path. Instead, he offers ideas to consider and adapt.

The writing is short and direct, often just a few paragraphs per page. This gives the reader time to pause and absorb rather than rush through. The layout reflects a creative journal more than a traditional book, which supports the message that creativity lives in motion, not in polish.

Rather than giving step-by-step methods, Kleon introduces principles and then invites the reader to explore them on their own terms. The result is a book that meets you wherever you are, whether you are starting a new project or returning to one after a long time away.

Where the book stands out

One of the most valuable ideas in the book is the shift from originality to influence. Kleon reframes creativity as a conversation, not a competition. He normalises the practice of learning through imitation, with the understanding that true voice often emerges by borrowing, adapting, and reinterpreting.

Another strength is how he addresses fear. Rather than promising confidence, Kleon validates the doubts that often accompany creative work. He speaks openly about imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and procrastination. His advice does not aim to eliminate these feelings, but to help the reader move alongside them.

The chapter on limitations is also especially resonant. Kleon writes that constraints are often what make creativity possible. Limited tools, limited time, and limited knowledge can create unexpected openings. This reminder is refreshing in a culture that often equates creativity with having more, not less.

A few light caveats

This is not a technical guide. Readers looking for structured exercises or detailed craft instruction may find the format too loose. The value of the book is in how it helps shift mindset, not in teaching how to paint, write, or design more effectively.

Because the book is short, some ideas may feel like they end just as they begin. Readers who prefer deep dives or long-form theory may want to follow this with other titles from Kleon, such as Show Your Work or Keep Going.

These are minor notes. The brevity of the book is part of its charm, and its format is what allows it to function as both a first spark and a steady companion.

Final thoughts

Steal Like an Artist is a thoughtful and accessible book about starting where you are. It reminds readers that creative work does not need to be revolutionary in order to matter. It only needs to be sincere, consistent, and rooted in what you love.

This book is especially helpful for artists in transition, for people returning to a creative practice, or for anyone who feels like they need permission to begin again. It will not tell you what to make. It will help you remember that you already know how to begin.

If you are looking for a gentle, practical reminder that influence is a gift and not a weakness, this book offers that with clarity and care.

Highly recommended for curious creatives, professionals, and lifelong learners who want to make meaningful work by building on what inspires them, without getting stuck in the myth of needing to be completely original.