Steal Like An Artist: Book Review

Steal Like an Artist is a concise work by Austin Kleon exploring the habits and practices of successful creators. Rather than focusing on a single creative discipline, the book references both well-known and lesser-known artists across various fields.

The central argument is that nothing is truly original. Every creative work builds on what came before. The best creators don't pretend otherwise — they embrace influence, study their heroes deeply, and synthesize what they learn into something new. This is what Kleon means by "stealing." Not plagiarism, but the honest acknowledgment that creativity is combinatorial.

The book's particular strength lies in its integration of quotes, images, and deep insights into the creative process. For those who value understanding methodology and approach, this work effectively combines practical guidance with supporting evidence about how creation actually happens.

Kleon argues that you should collect what you love — ideas, images, passages, techniques — and let those collections inform your own work. The things you're drawn to reveal something about your taste, and taste is the foundation of originality. By consciously studying and absorbing your influences, you develop a creative vocabulary that eventually becomes distinctly your own.

The form of the book itself reflects its central message — it is notably short and accessible, mirroring the principles it advocates about creativity and artistic development. This creates a cohesive reading experience where the medium reinforces the message.

For anyone who creates anything — writing, design, music, business — this book offers a liberating reframe. You don't need to be born original. You need to be deliberate about what you consume, honest about your influences, and willing to put in the work of synthesis.