Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – My Honest Review

Creative Beginner BooksCreativity
Written By Ian Sebesta

Book Snapshot

What This Book Is About

Steal Like an Artist is a short, highly visual guide for creatives. Instead of obsessing over originality, Kleon encourages readers to embrace influence, remix ideas, and focus on taking consistent small steps. The book is filled with sketches, lists, and bite-sized insights meant to inspire anyone working in a creative field.

Why Did I Buy This Book?

I decided to pick up this book (and its sequel) after seeing it recommended on Reddit as a must-read for people diving into YouTube and the creative space. I was curious to see what it had to offer; maybe it could provide tools or ideas to help me push through creative blocks and be more consistent.

Some Thoughts.

 

Favorite Insight

One very interesting point that I read from the book was "Write the book you want to read." In other words, create something you wish there was for yourself. This actually helped me decide to create a video to solve a problem from my own experience, where I didn’t have the resources I needed while trying to complete something. You can read more on this experience in my blog post.

One of the most impactful ideas in Steal Like an Artist is Kleon’s message that nothing is truly original. Instead of stressing about coming up with something completely new, he encourages you to “steal” from the artists, thinkers, and creators you admire, not by copying, but by studying their work, remixing their ideas, and making them your own.

This was refreshing to read because I often feel pressure to create something groundbreaking. Kleon’s perspective reminded me that creativity is more about connecting existing ideas in new ways than inventing from scratch.

Would I recommend it?

I’d say yes, but with a caveat. This book is a quick, motivational read and can be especially helpful if you’re just starting out in the creative world. However, if you’re looking for a deep, research-heavy book on creativity, this wouldn’t be my first pick.

Personal Verdict

📖 Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative is a 6/10 read.
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It’s best suited for beginners in the creative space, especially those interested in overcoming fears, building consistency, and getting started without overthinking originality.

Final Note

Have you read Steal Like an Artist? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did it inspire you, frustrate you, or change how you approach creativity? Drop a comment below and let’s talk.

If you plan on buying this book and want to support me, you can purchase it using my affiliate link at no extra cost. Check it out here on Amazon

If you’d like to see more of my book reviews, you can find them all here.

Ian Sebesta
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Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon – My Honest Review