Steal Like an Artist: Complete Summary of Austin Kleon’s Creative Principles for Unleashing Originality

Introduction: What This Book Is About

In “Steal Like an Artist,” Austin Kleon demystifies the creative process, revealing that originality is not about creating something from nothing, but rather about embracing influence and remixing existing ideas. Kleon, an author and artist known for his newspaper blackout poems and unique take on creativity, challenges the myth of the lone genius and offers a refreshing perspective on how anyone can foster creativity in their daily life and work. This book serves as a practical guide for artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to inject more creativity into their endeavors, regardless of their field.

Kleon breaks down the intimidating concept of creativity into ten actionable principles, encouraging readers to start before they feel ready, embrace their influences, use their hands, and share their work generously. He emphasizes that creativity is a process of disciplined practice, often involving borrowing, transforming, and evolving ideas from a diverse range of sources. This summary will provide comprehensive coverage of all key insights, principles, and actionable advice presented in “Steal Like an Artist,” guiding you through Kleon’s unique blueprint for artistic achievement and personal growth.

Steal Like an Artist: Embracing Influence and Remixing Ideas

Austin Kleon’s foundational principle is that “Art is theft”, not in the sense of plagiarism, but as a recognition that all creative work builds on what came before. He asserts that true originality is a myth, and instead, all new ideas are mashups or remixes of previous ones. This perspective liberates individuals from the pressure of creating something entirely new and encourages them to embrace influence.

Understanding the Concept of “Stealing” in Art

“Stealing” in the context of art means reverse-engineering and internalizing the thinking behind great work, not merely copying its surface. Kleon highlights that great artists are not afraid to admit their influences and actively study what makes their heroes’ work compelling. This approach shifts the focus from anxiety about originality to a productive engagement with the history of one’s chosen field. By understanding that “nothing comes from nowhere,” artists can openly explore and dissect the work they admire to understand its underlying principles.

The Power of the 1 + 1 = 3 Equation

Kleon introduces the concept of 1 + 1 = 3 to illustrate how creativity combines existing elements to create something greater than the sum of its parts. He likens this to genetics, where an individual inherits features from both parents but is ultimately a unique remix of their ancestors. This principle applies to ideas as well; by combining different influences, a new and distinct idea emerges. This mathematical metaphor emphasizes the synergistic effect of diverse inspirations, leading to unforeseen creative outcomes.

Building Your Genealogy of Ideas

Every individual has a genealogy of ideas, much like a familial genealogy. Kleon advises that while you cannot pick your family, you can select your teachers, friends, music, books, and movies, thereby curating your influences. You become the sum of what you choose to let into your life, emphasizing the importance of selective consumption. To improve your “idea income,” you must actively collect good ideas, as the quality of your output is directly related to the quality of your input.

Becoming a Selective Collector

An artist is described as a collector, not a hoarder, meaning they selectively gather things they genuinely love and resonate with their vision. Kleon emphasizes that your creative output is only as good as the material you surround yourself with, reinforcing the adage “garbage in, garbage out.” This calls for intentional curation of influences, ensuring that only inspiring and valuable ideas are allowed into your mental space. A “swipe file,” whether digital or analog, becomes an essential tool for storing these valuable inspirations.

Climbing the Tree of Influence

Kleon suggests a methodical approach to studying influences: pick one thinker you deeply admire, study everything about them, then identify three people that thinker admired, and repeat the process. This method allows you to “climb up the tree” of influence, gaining a deep understanding of historical and intellectual lineages. This deep dive provides a sense of belonging to a creative lineage and fosters a feeling of less isolation in one’s own creative journey, offering “friendly ghosts” who push you forward.

The Importance of Self-Education

Beyond formal schooling, self-education is crucial for creative growth. Kleon urges constant curiosity about the world. He advises to Google everything, chase down every reference, and go deeper than anyone else to gain an edge. Libraries are presented as magical spaces for discovery, encouraging readers to get lost in stacks and follow bibliographies. Collecting books, even unread ones, contributes to a rich environment for ideas, as filmmaker John Waters suggests, “Nothing is more important than an unread library.”

Cultivating a Swipe File and Logbook

Maintaining a notebook and pen at all times is a key practice for capturing thoughts, observations, and overheard conversations. David Hockney’s tailored suit pockets and Arthur Russell’s dual shirt pockets for score sheets are examples of dedication to this practice. A swipe file, or “morgue file” as newspaper reporters call it, is a collection of stolen inspirations—things worth reanimating in one’s work. This systematic collection ensures a ready supply of ideas for future creative endeavors.

Don’t Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started: The Power of Action

Kleon contends that “impostor syndrome” is common among educated people, leading to feelings of phoniness and uncertainty about one’s abilities. He asserts that most truly creative individuals don’t know where good ideas come from; they just show up and do the work daily. The act of making things is how individuals discover who they are, rather than waiting for self-discovery before beginning.

Embracing Impostor Syndrome

The feeling of being an “impostor” is a psychological phenomenon where people cannot internalize their accomplishments. Kleon reassures readers that this feeling is normal, especially in creative work. He emphasizes that everyone, even established artists, often feels like they are “just winging it.” This perspective encourages individuals to push past self-doubt and focus on the daily practice of making.

The “Fake It ‘Til You Make It” Approach

Kleon interprets “fake it ’til you make it” in two ways: pretend to be something you’re not until you become it, or pretend to be making something until you actually make it. He draws on William Shakespeare’s “All the world’s a stage” and Patti Smith’s “Just Kids” to illustrate how adopting the persona of an artist can lead to becoming one. This performative aspect of creativity emphasizes that action precedes identity, and dressing for the job you want is as important as starting the work itself.

Learning Through Copying, Not Plagiarism

The initial stage of learning, particularly in creative fields, involves copying one’s heroes. This is presented not as plagiarism, but as reverse-engineering, similar to a mechanic taking apart a car to understand its mechanics. Kleon points out that even The Beatles started as a cover band, learning their craft by emulating their idols. This foundational practice allows aspiring artists to internalize the thinking behind the style, rather than just mimicking the surface.

Choosing Who and What to Copy

When copying, Kleon advises to copy heroes—people you love and are inspired by. He references songwriter Nick Lowe, who suggests, “You start out by rewriting your hero’s catalog.” The key is to steal from many heroes, as cartoonist Gary Panter notes, “If you rip off a hundred people, everyone will say you’re so original!” More critically, it’s essential to steal the thinking behind the style, aiming to “see like your heroes” to avoid producing mere knockoffs.

The Evolution from Imitation to Emulation

At some point, copying evolves into emulation, where imitation serves as a springboard to developing one’s unique style. Kobe Bryant adapted stolen basketball moves to his body type, and comedians like Johnny Carson and David Letterman, while trying to emulate their heroes, ultimately developed their distinct voices. This process highlights that our failures to perfectly copy lead us to discover our unique strengths. “Our failure to become our perceived ideal ultimately defines us and makes us unique,” according to Conan O’Brien.

Write the Book You Want to Read: Fueling Creativity from Personal Desire

Kleon addresses the common advice for writers: “Write what you know,” which he dismisses as leading to uninteresting stories. Instead, he proposes a more compelling and productive approach: “Write what you like.” This principle extends beyond writing to all creative endeavors, urging individuals to create the art, business, or music they wish existed in the world.

The Inspiration of Personal Desire

Kleon posits that all fiction is, in essence, fan fiction, driven by a desire for more of what we love. Brian Eno’s motivation to create music that did not yet exist, but which he wanted to hear, exemplifies this. When feeling stuck, the question to ask is, “What would make a better story?” This reorients creative effort from obligation to genuine passion.

Bradford Cox’s “Fake Album” Method

Bradford Cox of the band Deerhunter provides a concrete example of this principle: as a child, he would record “fake” versions of new albums he was eager to hear from his favorite bands. These self-created anticipations often became the foundation for his own original songs. This method demonstrates how craving sequels or desired works can be channeled into productive creation, fostering new material out of existing inspiration.

Identifying Gaps and Leading Collaborations

Kleon encourages readers to identify what their creative heroes missed, what they didn’t make, or what could have been improved. He prompts thinking about what heroes would create if they were still alive today. Ultimately, he suggests imagining a collaboration among all your favorite makers, with yourself at the helm, and then going out and making that stuff. This proactive approach transforms appreciation into active creation.

The Manifesto of Creating What You Want to See

The core manifesto derived from this principle is clear: “Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use—do the work you want to see done.” This statement serves as a powerful call to action, urging creators to be the solution to their own desires and fill the gaps they perceive in the world. This approach ensures that creative work is deeply personal and genuinely desired.

Use Your Hands: Reconnecting with the Physicality of Creation

In an increasingly digital age, Austin Kleon advocates for the importance of using one’s “digits” – their hands – in the creative process. He argues that computers, while useful for editing and publishing, can alienate creators from the tactile experience of making things, leading to abstract and less impactful work. Reintroducing analog tools can reignite fun and improve the quality of creative output.

The Alienating Effect of Digital Tools

Kleon points out that computers place a “sheet of glass” between the creator and their work, preventing the physical interaction essential for many creative endeavors. He observes how immobile and still people become when working on computers, linking this to diminished creative energy. The act of typing keys and clicking mouse buttons often makes “knowledge work” feel abstract, detached from the tangible act of creation.

The Body’s Role in Kickstarting the Brain

To counter this, Kleon stresses the need to bring the body into the work. He explains that nerves are not a one-way street; our bodies can inform our brains as much as our brains inform our bodies. The simple act of “going through the motions”—strumming a guitar, shuffling sticky notes, or kneading clay—can effectively kickstart the brain into thinking, transforming physical action into mental ideation. This emphasizes the embodied nature of creativity.

Reclaiming the “Workshop” Spirit

Kleon recounts his own experience in creative writing workshops, where everything felt sterile and joyless due to rigid digital formatting. He contrasts this with the historical meaning of a workshop: a place with tools and raw materials for hands-on creation. He rediscovered the fun and improvement in his work by reintroducing analog tools, such as permanent markers and newspaper for his “Newspaper Blackout” poems, engaging multiple senses and making the process feel like play rather than work.

The Limitations of Computers for Idea Generation

While computers excel at editing and preparing ideas for publication, Kleon argues they are not ideal for generating ideas. The ease of the delete key can lead to premature editing, stifling nascent thoughts before they fully form. Cartoonist Tom Gauld avoids computers until most of his thinking is done, recognizing that digital environments make things “inevitable path to being finished,” whereas a sketchbook offers “endless possibilities.” This highlights the importance of unfettered ideation in an analog space.

The Analog-to-Digital Loop Workflow

Kleon describes his own “analog-to-digital loop” workflow, using two desks: one analog, one digital. The analog desk is reserved for pens, paper, and physical materials, where ideas are born and physical traces of the process accumulate. The digital desk, with his laptop and scanner, is for editing and publishing. This interplay between physical and digital spaces allows for both uninhibited idea generation and efficient refinement, ensuring that the work benefits from the strengths of both mediums. He recommends setting up similar workstations for a more playful and productive creative process.

Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important: The Unplanned Paths to Breakthroughs

Kleon emphasizes that side projects and hobbies are often where the “magic happens” and significant breakthroughs occur. These are the activities initially perceived as “just messing around” or “play,” but which turn out to be the most fruitful. He advocates for having multiple projects simultaneously to allow for “productive procrastination” and creative cross-pollination.

The Power of Productive Procrastination

Kleon suggests having multiple projects running concurrently so that when boredom or frustration sets in with one, you can “bounce between them.” This isn’t unproductive time-wasting but rather “productive procrastination,” where stepping away from one task allows for mental space and fresh perspectives to emerge, often benefiting another project. This fluid movement helps maintain momentum and prevents creative stagnation.

Embracing Boredom and Wandering

Kleon champions boredom as a fertile ground for ideas, stating that creative people need time to do nothing. He shares his own experience of getting good ideas while ironing shirts because it’s a boring activity. He encourages deliberate acts of boredom, such as washing dishes, taking long walks, or simply staring at a wall. Artist Maira Kalman’s quote, “Avoiding work is the way to focus my mind,” underscores this point, highlighting that undirected time can lead to unexpected insights.

Integrating Multiple Passions

If you have two or three genuine passions, do not feel compelled to choose one and discard the others. Kleon, inspired by playwright Steven Tomlinson, advises to “let them talk to each other.” He recounts how his decision to abandon music for writing led to “phantom limb pain,” and returning to music surprisingly enhanced his writing. This interconnectedness shows that diverse interests can cross-pollinate, leading to new neural connections and improved work.

The Regenerative Power of Hobbies

A hobby is defined as a creative pursuit “just for you,” without the pressure of making money or gaining fame. It’s an activity that gives rather than takes, providing regeneration and happiness. Kleon describes his own band practice as “like church,” offering a no-pressure space for noise-making and personal rejuvenation. Hobbies are crucial for maintaining balance and preventing burnout, acting as a wellspring of personal joy and creative energy.

The Unifying Thread of Personal Creation

Kleon asserts that there’s no need to worry about a “grand scheme or unified vision” for your work. What unifies your work is simply the fact that “you made it.” He assures readers that one day, when looking back, all the disparate pieces and passions will make sense, revealing a coherent body of work. This liberates creators from the pressure of forced thematic consistency, allowing them to follow their interests organically.

The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It with People: Visibility and Vulnerability

Kleon addresses the common question of “How do I get discovered?” by offering a straightforward, yet challenging, formula: “Do good work and share it with people.” He highlights the freedom and growth inherent in obscurity, while also acknowledging the transformative power of the internet in making sharing accessible.

The Freedom of Obscurity

Before seeking external validation, Kleon advises savoring the period of obscurity. In this phase, there is “no pressure when you’re unknown,” allowing for experimentation and doing things purely for fun. Without a public image to manage, large paychecks on the line, or external demands, creators have the ideal environment to “get better.” This period of anonymity is a valuable time for growth that will not return once attention or money begins to flow.

The Two-Step Formula for Visibility

The secret formula involves two parts:

1. “Do good work”: This is the incredibly hard part, requiring daily effort, embracing failure, and continuous improvement. There are no shortcuts to developing skill and quality.
2. “Share it with people”: This part, once difficult, is now simplified by the internet: “Put your stuff on the Internet.” The digital landscape provides an unprecedented platform for reaching an audience.

Wondering and Inviting Others to Wonder

The “secret of the Internet” according to Kleon is to “Wonder at something” and then “Invite others to wonder with you.” This means sharing your unique curiosities, especially those that others might overlook. Artists are not magicians, and revealing your process or “secrets” can be beneficial. Kleon draws inspiration from Bob Ross and Martha Stewart, who teach and give away their secrets, earning loyalty and sales in return.

The Internet as an Incubator and Kick in the Pants

Sharing your process online is a learning experience, benefiting the creator as much as the audience. The internet serves as more than just a publishing platform; it can be an “incubator for ideas that aren’t fully formed” and a “birthing center for developing work.” The reverse-chronological nature of most online platforms, where the latest post is most visible, acts as a “kick in the pants,” encouraging consistent creation and keeping creators “on their toes.”

Selective Sharing and Control

While sharing is encouraged, Kleon stresses that you don’t have to share everything. Showing just a “little bit” – a sketch, a doodle, a snippet, or a glimpse of your process – can be valuable. The key is to share what could be of value to others, such as a handy tip or an interesting article. If worried about giving away secrets, creators can “share your dots without connecting them,” maintaining control over what and how much they reveal by deciding when to hit the publish button.

Geography Is No Longer Our Master: Connecting Beyond Physical Boundaries

Kleon argues that in the digital age, physical location no longer dictates creative community or opportunity. He, living in Austin, Texas, notes that the majority of his mentors and peers are found online, illustrating that a rich “art-related fellowship” can be established virtually. This liberates creators from feeling stuck in undesirable locations.

Building Your Own World

If you feel constrained by your current environment due to age, finances, or other ties, Kleon suggests building your own world around you. This involves surrounding yourself with beloved books and objects, taping things on walls, and creating a personal space conducive to creativity. He references Franz Kafka, who, long before the internet, suggested that one could find the “whole world” by sitting “still and alone” at one’s desk.

Cultivating Solitude and Temporary Captivity

To foster focus and creativity, Kleon advocates for self-imposed solitude and temporary captivity. He recounts his childhood experience of reading in bookstores while his mom shopped. As an adult, he deliberately seeks out disconnected time by riding the bus, visiting barbershops without Wi-Fi, keeping his laptop shut at airports, and spending time in libraries. These practices provide the necessary mental space for ideas to form and develop.

The Creative Benefits of Travel

While geography may not be a master, place remains important. Kleon advises that when possible, “you have to leave home.” Familiar surroundings can make the brain too comfortable, so “you need to make it uncomfortable” by spending time in another land or among people who do things differently. Travel makes the world look new, forcing the brain to work harder and stimulating creativity. This foreignness doesn’t always require international travel; for some, moving to a different state can be just as transformative.

Choosing a Place to Live Creatively

When selecting a place to live, Kleon suggests considering factors that fuel creativity. He humorously posits that “bad weather leads to better art” as it encourages staying indoors to work, citing his productive winters in Cleveland and summers in Texas. More importantly, he advocates for living among interesting people, not just those who share your profession, fostering a diverse intellectual environment. Lastly, the chosen location should “feed you—creatively, socially, spiritually, and literally” through good food and vibrant communities.

Be Nice. (The World Is a Small Town.): Cultivating Positive Relationships

Kleon emphasizes the paramount importance of kindness and positive relationships in the hyperconnected digital world. He asserts that “The golden rule is even more golden” online, where interactions can be amplified and reputations easily established or damaged.

The Online Echo Chamber: What You Say Comes Back

A crucial lesson in the digital age is that “If you talk about someone on the Internet, they will find out.” With ubiquitous tools like Google alerts, people are aware of mentions. Kleon offers clear advice: “The best way to vanquish your enemies on the Internet? Ignore them.” Conversely, “The best way to make friends on the Internet? Say nice things about them.” This highlights the self-fulfilling nature of online interactions and the power of positive engagement.

Curating Your Digital Circle

Just as “garbage in, garbage out” applies to ideas, it also applies to one’s social circle. Kleon recommends surrounding yourself with the best people online—those who are “way smarter and better than you” and are doing genuinely interesting work. Paying attention to what these individuals share and discuss fosters growth and inspiration. Questlove’s quote, “The only mofos in my circle are people that I can learn from,” perfectly encapsulates this selective approach to online connections.

Seeking Out Talented Company

Inspired by Harold Ramis’s rule for success, Kleon advises: “Find the most talented person in the room, and if it’s not you, go stand next to him.” This means actively seeking out individuals with exceptional skills and trying to be helpful to them. He adds a crucial corollary: “If you ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.” This encourages continuous self-improvement and a pursuit of challenging environments.

Channeling Anger into Productive Work

Kleon acknowledges that anger can be a powerful creative resource, as Henry Rollins suggests. However, he warns against wasting it on complaining or lashing out online. Instead, he advises to “keep your mouth shut and go do your work,” channeling that negative energy into writing or drawing. Andre Torrez’s advice, “Complain about the way other people make software by making software,” perfectly illustrates this principle of transforming critique into creation.

The Art of the Public Fan Letter

Instead of traditional fan letters, which carry pressure for a response, Kleon recommends “public fan letters” facilitated by the internet. This involves writing a blog post admiring someone’s work, dedicating a creation to a hero, answering their questions, or improving upon their work and sharing it online. The goal is to show appreciation without expecting anything in return, turning admiration into new creative output for oneself.

Handling Criticism and Seeking Praise

Kleon advises that not everyone will understand or appreciate your work, and you must get comfortable with being “misunderstood, disparaged, or ignored.” The trick is to be “too busy doing your work to care.” While external validation is not the goal, it’s a “tremendous boost” when received. He suggests keeping a “praise file” of nice emails to turn to during dark, discouraging days, using it sparingly but effectively to get back to work.

Be Boring. (It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done.): Embracing Structure and Routine

Kleon challenges the romanticized image of the chaotic creative genius, advocating instead for a disciplined, “boring” life as the foundation for vibrant, original work. He argues that creativity demands significant energy, which can be easily depleted by an undisciplined lifestyle.

Prioritizing Health and Longevity

The image of the creative genius living a wild, short life is “played out.” Kleon encourages a practical approach to longevity: “It’s better to burn slow and see your grandkids.” This involves simple, consistent health practices: eating breakfast, doing push-ups, taking long walks, and getting plenty of sleep. Patti Smith’s advice to young artists—to “go to the dentist”—underscores this focus on basic self-care as essential for a sustained creative career.

Mastering Personal Finance

Kleon urges creatives to learn about money as soon as possible. He shares his grandpa’s wisdom: “Son, it’s not the money you make, it’s the money you hold on to.” This translates into practical habits: making a budget, living within your means, packing your lunch, and saving pennies. He emphasizes saying “no to consumer culture” to reduce financial stress, which in turn grants freedom in one’s art, as Bill Cunningham stated, “If you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do.”

The Strategic Value of a Day Job

A day job, though often viewed as a hinderance, provides money, connection to the world, and a routine. Financial stability allows for artistic freedom. Kleon suggests taking jobs that offer transferable skills for your creative work, citing his own experiences in libraries, web design, and copywriting. While a day job takes time, it provides a “daily routine in which you can schedule a regular time for your creative pursuits,” combating the “inertia” that kills creativity.

Establishing and Sticking to a Routine

Kleon stresses that establishing and maintaining a routine is more important than having abundant time. He highlights Parkinson’s Law, where “Work gets done in the time available.” The solution is to “figure out what time you can carve out, what time you can steal, and stick to your routine.” This means working every day, without holidays or sick days, to stay in the “groove” and prevent the dread that comes from breaking flow. Philip Larkin’s advice to be “utterly schizoid” about balancing day job and creative life encapsulates this.

The Seinfeld Chain Method for Consistent Work

Kleon introduces Jerry Seinfeld’s calendar method for maintaining consistency in daily creative work. This involves using a wall calendar to mark a big, fat X each day after completing a chunk of work. The goal is to “not break the chain” of Xs, creating a visual representation of consistent effort. This simple yet powerful technique transforms the daunting task of daily creation into a manageable, satisfying habit.

Maintaining a Logbook

Beyond planning, Kleon recommends keeping a logbook—a simple record of daily activities, including projects worked on, places visited, or movies seen. Unlike a detailed diary, it’s a concise list that, over time, helps recall significant events and details. It functions like a sailor’s log, “keeping track of how far your ship has sailed,” providing a valuable overview of accumulated effort and experiences.

The Importance of “Marrying Well” (and Your Creative Team)

Kleon provocatively states that who you marry is the “most important decision you’ll ever make.” This extends beyond a life partner to who you do business with, who you befriend, and who you choose to be around. A good partner, whether romantic or professional, keeps you grounded and provides crucial support, often taking on multiple roles like maid, cook, motivator, and editor. He highlights how his wife provides invaluable support and perspective, emphasizing that a strong support system is vital for creative pursuits.

Creativity Is Subtraction: The Power of Constraints

In a world of “information abundance and overload” and “limitless possibilities,” Kleon proposes that creativity thrives on limitations. He argues that knowing what to leave out is crucial for focusing on what truly matters and overcoming creative blocks.

Overcoming Paralysis Through Constraints

The idea of being able to do anything can be “absolutely terrifying” and “paralyzing.” Kleon suggests that the way to overcome creative block is to “simply place some constraints on yourself.” This seemingly contradictory approach—that “limitations mean freedom” in creative work—forces focus and ingenuity. Examples include writing a song on a lunch break, painting with one color, or starting a business with no capital.

Dr. Seuss and the Power of Limited Vocabulary

Kleon presents Dr. Seuss as a prime example of creativity born from constraint. “The Cat in the Hat” was written with only 236 words, and “Green Eggs and Ham,” one of the bestselling children’s books, was written with just 50 different words after an editor’s bet. This demonstrates how severe limitations can lead to exceptionally creative and successful outcomes, proving that resourcefulness emerges when options are restricted.

The Art of What’s Left Out

Artist Saul Steinberg noted that “What we respond to in any work of art is the artist’s struggle against his or her limitations.” Kleon extends this by stating that what an artist chooses to leave out often makes the art more interesting than what is included. Similarly, what makes people interesting is not just their experiences but also their unexperienced possibilities. In creative work, this means embracing your limitations and continuing to move forward, seeing them as integral to your unique voice.

The Essence of Creativity as Subtraction

Ultimately, Kleon defines creativity not just by the things one chooses to put in, but crucially, by “the things we choose to leave out.” This principle underscores the importance of discernment, focus, and intentionality in the creative process. By understanding and applying this concept of subtraction, creators can refine their work and amplify its impact.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember

Core Insights from Steal Like an Artist

• Embrace influences and remix ideas, as true originality comes from transforming existing concepts.
• Start before you feel ready, recognizing that action leads to self-discovery and confidence.
• Learn by copying and reverse-engineering the methods of your heroes, not just mimicking their style.
• Create the work you want to consume—be the answer to your own creative desires.
• Reengage with physical tools and hands-on making to spark new ideas and avoid digital alienation.
• Prioritize side projects and hobbies, as these often lead to unforeseen breakthroughs and personal regeneration.
• Share your work generously and openly online, using the internet as a learning and incubating platform.
• Cultivate kindness and strategically connect with smarter, more talented individuals in your field.
• Build a “boring” and disciplined life with routines and financial stability to fuel your creative energy.
• Embrace constraints and subtraction to foster focus, ingenuity, and unique creative solutions.

Immediate Actions to Take Today

• Begin a swipe file (digital or physical) to collect inspiring ideas, images, and quotes from your influences.
• Purchase a dedicated notebook and pen to carry with you everywhere, jotting down observations and thoughts.
• Set up two distinct workspaces if possible: one analog for hands-on ideation and one digital for editing and publishing.
• Identify a side project or hobby you’ve neglected and schedule specific time to engage with it, purely for fun.
• Choose one of your creative heroes and research three of their influences to start mapping your “tree of influence.”

Questions for Personal Application

• What kinds of art, music, or books do you wish existed in the world that you could create?
• How can you introduce more hands-on, analog methods into your current creative or work process?
• Who are your five closest creative heroes, and what specific “thinking behind their style” can you identify and try to internalize?
• What “boring” routines or financial habits can you implement to free up more energy and time for your creative pursuits?
• What specific constraint could you impose on your next project to foster more creativity and focus?