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1st out of 13 books
—
4 voters
The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be The Artist You Truly Are
by
Danny Gregory (Goodreads Author)
The author of "Everyday Matters: A New York Diary" teaches readers to open their lives to creativity and fulfillment by relearning how to draw. Handwritten and illustrated in color throughout.
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
January 1st 2006
by Hyperion
(first published December 21st 2005)
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This book is full of pointers on drawing, on creating something on paper with ink. There are a lot of ideas on what to draw ,when (now) to draw but not how to draw. Every page feels like a call to put pen to paper.
The text is typeset in a handwriting font, which might make it hard to read for long periods of time. The good thing is this book can be picked up and read in portions from any page.
It's a very inspirational and motivating book to read, especially when...more
The first book read for my 2010 reading list. A older selection that jumped out at me in a strange time, after the Holidays, when I received a plethora of books to read. I bought this book in 2006 after reading select passages in a HOW magazine. I was in the early years of design school and trying to regain my confidence to draw after year away from the art board. I grabbed the book and shortly realizing the book was gauged for someone entering the art world for the first time and not some who k...more
Great book on giving yourself permission to dabble--or even push yourself more seriously--in various artistic spheres. Gregory will teach you to draw (hint: you already know how!), and to journal, giving you your own "creative license" to do what you like and embrace your inner artist. Whether you're a frustrated, failed, first-time or burnt-out artist, this book will help get your creative life back on track. Like he says: "Art ain't fancy or special. True art is democratic and human." It's abo...more
Since discovering Danny Gregory's book, I've filled two illustrated journals. I really love doing it, too. I find that when I take the time to "illustrate", my memory of that particular event/place/whatever is so much sharper. I love Gregory's spirit and enthusiasm; I feel like he really believes in me, personally. I never would have discribed myself as "creative" before owning this book, but when I look back at my journals and the one I'm working on now, I think I should maybe reconsider :) Tha...more
I used to drawn a lot in my teens, but like many others then suddenly quit. Now, years later, I started drawing again... because of Danny Gregory's wonderful book.
The book is incredibly inspiring and encouraged me to pick up the pen again, just draw and keep drawing. Now, I carry my Moleskine sketchbook and a pen *everywhere* and whenever I have a chance, I try to draw. It's fun, it's great...
The only downside of this book is the all capital font which is designed to look handwritten. It takes...more
The book is incredibly inspiring and encouraged me to pick up the pen again, just draw and keep drawing. Now, I carry my Moleskine sketchbook and a pen *everywhere* and whenever I have a chance, I try to draw. It's fun, it's great...
The only downside of this book is the all capital font which is designed to look handwritten. It takes...more
What can I say that others haven't said? If you have the creative urge to draw but can't get past some block, this book will help you out. I was constantly drawing as a child, graduating to water colors & pen and ink in adolescence. Then I entered the world, felt my art wasn't good enough, and stopped. Years later, I still have that quiet urge to draw, to paint, to simply create things of aesthetic value. All these years, I've been a little down on myself for not being creative, not being go...more
This book tells you how to start an art journal and gives you mini-assignments so you can get off your but and trust that there is a creative genius inside of you, YES YOU!
i'm enjoying the experience of "drawing" and thinking about drawing again. I'm really looking forward to work on some art journaling very soon.
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I couldn't get along with this book. The all-capitals font, designed to make it look hand-written, just made it hard to read and a little inaccessible.
I was disconcerted by the mention of god on page 6. And pissed off by a decision later in the book for a paragraph to be printed in white text on a yellow background. I had to get within an inch to make it out.
That being said I'm trying to sketch more to keep my artist skills up to scratch and the exercises earlier in the book were helpful.
It's no...more
I was disconcerted by the mention of god on page 6. And pissed off by a decision later in the book for a paragraph to be printed in white text on a yellow background. I had to get within an inch to make it out.
That being said I'm trying to sketch more to keep my artist skills up to scratch and the exercises earlier in the book were helpful.
It's no...more
I have a lot of really good books ... but this one goes a step beyond. I've been inspired by the work of Danny Gregory for a while, but I wasn't sure I really wanted this book at first; I tend to abhor those preachy "you, too, can find unleash your inner creativity, blah, blah, blah." This book has been a huge and wonderful surprise. It has the honesty and openness of his other books, but goes a step further; the simple discussion of the reluctance many of us feel - and the why behind it, and ho...more
A fun read--every page is covered with interesting illustrations. It was very inspiring and encouraged me in my drawing. I thought it would be about the arts in general, but it mainly focused on drawing, particularly illustration and drawing journals. So that was a bit disappointing, but it was still inspiring.
He's spot on about the way artists "see." He says, "This is where drawing comes from. You can look at something slowly and carefully and refuse to see it for anything but what it is--at t...more
He's spot on about the way artists "see." He says, "This is where drawing comes from. You can look at something slowly and carefully and refuse to see it for anything but what it is--at t...more
Let me admit that I did not really finish reading this book but already within the first day of reading it I had returned to some of my creative roots and began drawing again. I have since spent my weekends outside, enjoying the spring time while sketching into a composition book. I am thankful for having the courage to pick up this book and admit that I missed the creative side of myself. I will definitely pick this book back up and keep reading.
Coming back to drawing, the book seemed an interest introduction, even if the amount of sketches and handwritting instead of typesetting were suspicious.
How wrong could I be ... Danny Gregory's book is much more than a book about drawing or journaling, it's a journey into the world of creativity.
Not only my love for drawing has reborn, but the mundane things now seem an opportunity to be creative.
How wrong could I be ... Danny Gregory's book is much more than a book about drawing or journaling, it's a journey into the world of creativity.
Not only my love for drawing has reborn, but the mundane things now seem an opportunity to be creative.
Man I read this and I felt like a total hippie for days afterward. Everything was positive and nothing actually hurt. I highly encourage anyone who's ever felt like a total failure at anything to read this. It's uplifting and funny and Danny Gregory makes a lot of good points -- not just about being creative or trying to draw, but about how to live life to the fullest. /cheese
I bought this book in attempt to help me get over blank page syndrome. It did not work. But what it did do is inspire me with confidance to draw my own work without negative opinions of myself- which is quite an accomplishment. The book was nicely presented and overall was a very good buy.
Jun 16, 2008
Colby Purcell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who want to be creative/think they aren't creative
I just wanted to say "amen" a whole lot while reading this book by Danny Gregory, which basically is one big argument for why we should still be artists and why being an artist has gotten such a bad rap in our society.
We have been trained by our society several tragic things:
1) Creativity is a you-have-it/you-don't issue.
2) Great artists are great because they were born with a lot of talent.
3) Art only has value if the artist makes money off of it.
4) Art is a selfish venue/not a real occupati...more
We have been trained by our society several tragic things:
1) Creativity is a you-have-it/you-don't issue.
2) Great artists are great because they were born with a lot of talent.
3) Art only has value if the artist makes money off of it.
4) Art is a selfish venue/not a real occupati...more
Feb 24, 2011
Bree
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who could use some creative inspiration
Inspiring! I have started drawing again after reading this book...I have a new perspective in how I am approaching my creativity and drawing.
Drawing can now be an experience in presence, a place to be expressed and to enjoy a deeper way of seeing your day-to-day life.
Drawing can now be an experience in presence, a place to be expressed and to enjoy a deeper way of seeing your day-to-day life.
This is a wonderful book of social commentary (why and how our society tries to convince us we can't or shouldn't be creative). Danny Gregory acts as coach to get the reader off their butt and drawing. Loved it.
I liked the book, I even liked the format, although to be honest, some of the type/writing was very difficult to decipher.
Although I didn't feel that the book offered any earth shattering insights or ideas, it has inspired me to start a sketching journal, and I came across several qoutations and ideas that I'm keeping with me.
Overall I think it's a good book if you'd like a kick start to motivate you to appreciate and develop your own creativity.
Although I didn't feel that the book offered any earth shattering insights or ideas, it has inspired me to start a sketching journal, and I came across several qoutations and ideas that I'm keeping with me.
Overall I think it's a good book if you'd like a kick start to motivate you to appreciate and develop your own creativity.
I thought this was a very inspirational book if you want to get started journaling, or just being creative. It teaches you not to care about "bad" drawings, but to just do it.
Best book ever if you want to draw and don't think you can.
This book single handedly "made" me an artist.
Danny Gregory is a god of sketchbooking and artistic pursuits.
This book single handedly "made" me an artist.
Danny Gregory is a god of sketchbooking and artistic pursuits.
This is a wonderful book to kickstart or re-start any creative endeavor. Danny Gregory is very insistent that you are an artist -- you sitting there reading this right now. All you have to do is pick up your pen (you know you want to) and start drawing your cup, or your hand, or your bagel. With wit, insight and lots of wonderful drawings, the Creative License will give you the confidence and the techniques to add art and journaling to your life.
i love danny gregory and his passion for drawing things that surround him. such an inspiration. and such a great invitation to create!
On the face of it, a book about drawing. In reality, a book about living. I love love love this book. Did I mention I love this book?
I thought it was a great read. Loved all of the pictures. Would love to write a book like this someday. Such creativity!
I keep saying I am going to buy this book next time I go to a bookstore, and I haven't yet, but it's amazing. If you need a kickstart to your creativity, get this book. I guess the main message is to draw EVERYTHING around you...contents of your medicine cabinet, your tie collection, what you ate for breakfast, etc.... The author has a great sense of humor and makes you view your drawing in a different light. Tons of great ideas. It's also a fun book to read because it is full of his own drawing...more
Might be better titled "How to Draw the Danny Gregory Way", not that there's anything wrong with that!
This book is awe inspiring. I have read it twice this year already. The author feels like a mentor and a friend. The tasks are comprehensible and manageable for even the busiest lifestyle and most procrastinating of individuals. The wording of this book is magical, as though this person is truly thankful to write a book about something he believes in so much. If drawing is not your prime creative endeavor, this book and it's soulful wisdom can be applied to anything with creative merit. Chances...more
Yes! Yes! Yes! If you ever wanted to draw and said you couldn't, this is the book for you.
I HATED THIS> IT ISN'T CREATIVE TO WRITE IN CAPITALS IN A HORRIBLE FONT AND GIVE BANAL ADVICE
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