Steal Like an Artist

Austin Kleon begins Steal Like an Artist by dismantling one of the most damaging myths about creativity—the belief that true originality means inventing something entirely new. He argues that every creative idea is born from the ideas that came before it. Rather than pursuing an impossible fantasy of originality, the most successful creators treat creativity as a process of collecting, studying, transforming, and combining existing material into something personal. Creativity is less like a magical revelation and more like a well-curated collage.

Kleon recommends becoming a dedicated collector of inspiration. He encourages artists to maintain a “swipe file”—a personal archive containing anything that sparks interest or admiration. This could include photographs, quotes, lyrics, paintings, book excerpts, video stills, typography layouts, architectural details, unusual color palettes, marketing campaigns, scientific concepts, or even bizarre overheard conversations. The purpose of the swipe file is not copying in a literal sense but building a vocabulary of ideas that stimulate new thoughts. For example, a fashion designer might collect images of traditional costumes from different cultures, Pinterest boards of street style, vintage magazine covers, and textile patterns. Later, these references might inspire a runway collection that blends cultural craftsmanship with modern materials.

Kleon advises studying creative heroes deeply and intentionally rather than admiring them superficially. He suggests treating their body of work like a curriculum—examining everything they produced, researching their influences, understanding what shaped their worldview, and learning how their style evolved. For instance, someone who admires the musician Kendrick Lamar might study Tupac, Miles Davis, jazz improvisation, and West Coast hip-hop history. A filmmaker inspired by Wes Anderson might analyze French New Wave cinema, the illustrations of Jacques Tati, or the symmetrical compositions of Renaissance painting. By tracing influence backward, one uncovers the creative genealogy behind great art and recognizes that even icons built on foundations laid by others.

He emphasizes that being influenced is not theft unless the artist merely copies without transformation. Picasso famously said, “Good artists copy; great artists steal,” meaning that mediocre artists imitate the surface style of their inspirations, whereas great artists internalize the essence and then reinvent it. For example, the Beatles drew heavily from American rhythm and blues, gospel harmonies, and Indian classical music, yet transformed those influences into an entirely new sound. Steve Jobs borrowed ideas from calligraphy classes, Zen Buddhism, and Xerox PARC computer research to create Apple’s sleek design aesthetic. Creativity is therefore an act of selective transformation—from influence to interpretation.

Start Before You Feel Ready

One of Kleon’s central messages is that creators must begin working long before they feel confident. Many aspiring artists hesitate because they believe they must fully understand their personal voice, build mastery, or assemble the right resources before starting. However, waiting for confidence is counterproductive because confidence arises only through repetition. Instead of trying to discover who you are before creating, identity forms through the process of creating repeatedly over time.

Kleon discusses imposter syndrome—the persistent belief that one is not talented enough and will soon be exposed as a fraud. He explains that ...