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TL;DR: Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative argues that nothing is completely original. All creative work builds on what came before. Austin Kleon encourages readers to collect influences, remix them into something new, start before they feel ready, and share their work consistently.
Austin Kleon, a writer and artist known for his newspaper “blackout poetry,” turned a talk he gave to college students into this short, illustrated manifesto in 2012. It became a bestseller and a favorite gift for graduates, artists, writers and anyone in a creative rut. The book can be read in under an hour, but its ideas have stuck with millions of readers. Here’s a complete summary of its ten principles and key lessons.
Table of Contents
Steal Like an Artist at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Author | Austin Kleon |
| Published | 2012 |
| Genre | Creativity / self-help |
| Structure | Ten short chapters with illustrations |
| Best for | Writers, artists, designers, students and anyone who wants to be more creative |
What Is Steal Like an Artist About?
Kleon’s main point is that creativity isn’t about inventing something from nothing. It’s about gathering ideas you love and combining them in your own way. “Stealing” doesn’t mean plagiarism; it means studying, honoring and transforming your influences. The book offers ten principles for living a more creative life.
The 10 Principles, Chapter by Chapter
1. Steal Like an Artist
Every new idea is a mix of older ideas. Collect things that inspire you, study the people you admire and learn from their influences too. Good theft means honoring, crediting and transforming, not copying.
2. Don’t Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started
You discover your creative voice by making things, not by thinking about it. Start by imitating your heroes; your own style emerges from where you fall short of copying them perfectly.
3. Write the Book You Want to Read
Make the work you wish existed. Instead of only writing what you know, create what you love.
4. Use Your Hands
Step away from the screen. Physical tools like pens, paper and instruments engage your body and often spark better ideas.
5. Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important
Don’t throw away your other passions. Side projects and “productive procrastination” often lead to your best work.
6. The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It With People
Make good work, then put it online and share your process. Being unknown early on is a gift because it gives you freedom to experiment.
7. Geography Is No Longer Our Master
The internet lets you connect with creative communities anywhere. Still, travel and changes of scenery can refresh your thinking.
8. Be Nice (The World Is a Small Town)
Make friends, ignore haters and surround yourself with people more talented than you. Say thank you and praise the work of others publicly.
9. Be Boring (It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done)
Creative work requires routine, rest and stability. Take care of yourself, manage your money and keep a regular schedule so you have energy for your work.
10. Creativity Is Subtraction
Constraints spark creativity. Choosing what to leave out is as important as what you include.
5 Key Takeaways From Steal Like an Artist
- Nothing is fully original. Build on your influences and transform them.
- Start before you’re ready. Your style emerges through doing.
- Share your work. Showing your process attracts opportunities and community.
- Keep side projects alive. Hobbies often feed your main work.
- Embrace limits and routine. Constraints and a stable life fuel creativity.
Ideas Worth Remembering
- You are a mashup of what you choose to let into your life. (paraphrased)
- Copying your heroes is how you learn; transforming their work is how you find your voice. (paraphrased)
- Make the things you wish existed. (paraphrased)
Who Should Read Steal Like an Artist?
It’s perfect for students, recent graduates, beginning writers and artists, and professionals who feel stuck creatively. It’s also a quick, uplifting read for anyone who thinks they’re “not creative.” Pair it with Kleon’s follow-ups, Show Your Work! and Keep Going, for a complete creative toolkit.
What to Read Next
- Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon on sharing your creative process.
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield on beating creative resistance.
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert on creative living beyond fear.
Related: best books on the art of storytelling and Range summary and key takeaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does steal like an artist mean?
It means learning from and building on the work of others by studying, crediting and transforming your influences into something new, not copying or plagiarizing.
What are the 10 principles in Steal Like an Artist?
They include stealing like an artist, starting before you know who you are, writing the book you want to read, using your hands, keeping side projects, sharing your work, being nice, being boring, using constraints, and recognizing that geography no longer limits you.
How long does it take to read Steal Like an Artist?
It’s a short, illustrated book that most people can read in about an hour.