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katrinepoetry's review against another edition
4.0
A simple, yet inspiring book showcasing the multiple aspects of being an artist.
caarolparker's review against another edition
3.0
I liked all the artists stories and the different thoughts the author brought - especially the last chapter about art school and how their methods should be applied to all types of school.
Read it if you enjoy others perspectives.
Read it if you enjoy others perspectives.
aceamy6's review
5.0
An inspiring read! This book gives you all the joyful reasons, motivational anecdotes and ultimate permission to express yourself by showing the reader how other famous artists have done it. What is fantastic is that it points out artists’ struggles as well as their successes. Artists who suffered creative blocks, who didn’t reach their stride until later on in life and those who failed to be financially stable with their work. This sounds awful but it actually made these larger than life geniuses far more real and accessible to me. I never knew Michelangelo originally refused to paint the Sistine Chapel due his own insecurities or that Vincent Van Gogh was a self-taught painter. These are just some of the multitude of stories told to eloquently point out that to be creative is to be human, creative thinking innovates the world and that anyone is capable of this magical thing we call art.
nberthelsen's review against another edition
4.0
Through brief retellings of the lives, methods, and experiences of artists, author Will Gompertz reveals insight into the creative mind. It is true that the book could be boiled down to a short list of creative practices, but the historical evidence strengthens each conclusion. I would say that the book was made more meaningful with a little background in art history, though not necessary to fully understand the conclusions drawn. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to have their creativity sparked, no matter what your art form is.
broccsi's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
chadleyc's review
3.0
Started strong, meandered in the middle, and ended kinda weak. But some good observations throughout.
elli_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I was given this book as a birthday present back in 2015 when it was first published but I hadn't read it until now. I'm glad I did! The author talks about the common thread found in the mindsets of those who have successfully carved out an artistic career in 10 chapters and the 11th and last chapter talks about the potential of thinking creatively in today's world, its possible applications and changes that may be brought about as a result.
I enjoyed reading the first 10 chapters to learn things I didn't know about artists whose names I've heard so many times. E.g. Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor and not a painter so he first turned down the commission to paint the Sistine Chapel frescoes from Pope Julius II. They may be well-known facts to some but they weren't to me, even for someone with a background in Fine Arts.
I found chapter 11 relevant on a personal level as I often ponder the effects the growth of popularity in online courses will have on the way people relate to the idea of education and as a result on the way people go about their work life.
I'm giving it 5 stars even though this was almost too much of a light read for me, judging from the cover and format I believe the author intended it to be a quick, informative read and that's just what I needed at this point in time. May be a sign I should seek out other books by the same author or to explore the topic a little more. I also enjoyed the act of pulling out the colour section at the back of the book to see what the author was referring to.
I enjoyed reading the first 10 chapters to learn things I didn't know about artists whose names I've heard so many times. E.g. Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor and not a painter so he first turned down the commission to paint the Sistine Chapel frescoes from Pope Julius II. They may be well-known facts to some but they weren't to me, even for someone with a background in Fine Arts.
I found chapter 11 relevant on a personal level as I often ponder the effects the growth of popularity in online courses will have on the way people relate to the idea of education and as a result on the way people go about their work life.
I'm giving it 5 stars even though this was almost too much of a light read for me, judging from the cover and format I believe the author intended it to be a quick, informative read and that's just what I needed at this point in time. May be a sign I should seek out other books by the same author or to explore the topic a little more. I also enjoyed the act of pulling out the colour section at the back of the book to see what the author was referring to.
johncrwarner's review against another edition
5.0
I read this when I was going down with a cold and was ill in bed so this might be more a response to a skim read - thin on details etc.
It was lightweight and ideal for not really requiring much thinking - a great "toilet book" - a book whose contents can be read on the toilet as the chapters and vignettes of artists and their lives are short enough for a single sitting.
It was lightweight and ideal for not really requiring much thinking - a great "toilet book" - a book whose contents can be read on the toilet as the chapters and vignettes of artists and their lives are short enough for a single sitting.