Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision

This is the most inspiring book in terms of searching beauty and expressing. It helps me to slow down and learn more in art of oil painting in my case. I admire Ian Roberts who can articulate and grabs attention of the readers and artists alike.

I would guess that almost every serious artist has encountered a point in his or her career where he or she is dissatisfied with his or her work. Sometimes it's the failure to gain sufficient technical control, sometimes it's the inability to work, sometimes it's a feeling that you are doing the same thing over and over without saying anything new, and sometimes it's a failure of the work to provide any satisfaction. I would also guess that for just as long as artists have had these feelings, someone has said, reach inside yourself, or, get to know your subject, or, work on through it, or try something new, or even, just suck it up!I've been blocked from time to time and I've tried one or another of these remedies with varying degrees of success. I've talked to other artists and art educators and asked how to jump-start creativity but there doesn't seem to be any magic bullet.Ian Roberts, a painter, purports to offer 16 principles to clarify and deepen your artistic vision. I'm certain Roberts really tried hard and believed he had something to offer. If you are an artist and you've never heard the advice I described above, this book may be of interest to you. But if you've ever explored recommendations for creativity, this volume will be just a rambling set of platitudes.Consider some of the principles: searching for beauty; communication; your home turf. These aren't principles or at least they are not rules of action to guide the artist's conduct. Instead each of these is an art-related subject around which the author wanders through his opinions about aesthetics and the sorry state of the current art world without really clarifying how one can get in touch with the inner artist.I suspect one of the problems is that artists, with the exception of writers, are not word people, and not used to logical explanation. It's reputed that when Edward Hopper was asked how he developed his skills in handling light and air, he said "I just paint what I see". Similarly Roberts says that the artist's subject is unimportant. It is how the artist feels that counts.Roberts does have things to say that are important. For example, in a principle called "Limits Yield Intensity" he urges the artist to simplify his ideas. But in the next sentence he quotes another author who says "A state of excitement, and it's like a faucet: nothing comes unless you turn it on, and the more you turn it on, the more it comes." This is a poetic description of inspiration, but it obscures the central idea about simplifying. Roberts doesn't follow his own advice.Perhaps it's impossible to clearly articulate how an artist can discover or rediscover his creative authenticity. Certainly, this book doesn't do that.

Very well written. I've read this book twice over 6 months. It helps one reflect on their self as one reaches to advance in their own artistic endeavors - whether as a professional or just improve for personal satisfaction. Ian Roberts discusses how artists have changed and worked over hundreds of years and offers many insightful examples of how an artist can reflect and advance their own art. He speaks from his personal experiences and that of well-known historical artists.

I needed this book so much. I will be re-reading it more than once. It has taught me a way of approaching my work that I had never heard in all of this time. I feel hopeful moving forward and compassionate toward myself for the time lost. Onward…

A month of having these aha moments led me to Ian's book. I know I am a creative. I am creative, but I realized in all my jumbled up brain, that I'm living on the surface and not authentically and it's showing in my art, and in my life! So just a simple Google of "authenticity" led me to this book and Brene Brown. Love Brene, but Ian's book crept right into my soul and shined a light on reigniting a joy, a fun, a curiosity in my work and in my life! There are a few other books out there that deal with authenticity, but they are more instructional/directional in the craft itself, but Ian deals really with the inner part of why we paint what we paint. Even though I'm getting a little philosophical here in my enthusiasm, he doesn't write in such a deep way that you get lost or roll your eyes (which I have done in the past!). He hits home and makes you excited to "clarify and deepen your artistic vision." There. Simple, yet so powerful. My book is highlighted, dogeared and read and re-read.

I've got a friend who shares and gives me joy, comfort, inspiration, and the wisdom to make ME think and create. This is something that is difficult to find in the creative world of art without causing controversy and mixed feelings. My friend is a BOOK!!!! It's written by a serious, caring, and inspirational teacher, Mr. Ian Roberts, the book:"Creative Authenticity" Artists are usually solitary people and need a friend that doesn't argue or give negative vibes. I read this book, underline, highlight,dog-ear, book marks, and can read it for a short or long a time as I happen to have. I now get to my appointments earlier just so I can read a few pages. NO ONE, has ALL the answers ( YOU have to do something too!!!) but this book sure helps and gets me back to the studio ready to go. GET IT, you won't regret it!! I've had this book for many years now, I'm just a little slow in submitting a review and don't take it lightly! I look forward to an audio book version so I can walk and listen and get 2 for 1, much needed excercise and walking with a friend! It's sad that one of the reviewers, Mr. Obregon, gave it just two stars, but I don't think he'd be happy with a FREE lunch either! I highly recommend this book!!!Mr. BJ Bjork, artist and student (51 yrs), teacher, and TV Host.

One of the better books I've read that addresses the interior mindset that is needed to be explored in terms of navigating/negotiating the authenticity needed for art. Using this as a writing craft book, as Ian explores the common fears/challenges writers/creatives face. So much of this book is smart, intelligent, and bringing us into new ideas... I want more of Ian Roberts.

Ian Roberts is North American landscape painter who lectures and conducts retreats. He is widely collected and is a successful working artist.It's easy to see why. He has a wonderfully articulate and robust sense of what it takes to be a functioning authentic artist.I think it's fair to say that the overwhelming meat of this book is targeted at representational painters. The observations back this up as do the quotes.I love the way that he does not shy away from criticising what he considers fluff and flummery. He has little time for displacement activities that supposedly bring out your inner creative self (a la Julia Cameron etc..). He's pretty bold and opinionated in a way that I found really bracing and enjoyable. It never feels as if his critiques are overblown. He states things and then tells you what he found worked and what he has little time for.It's a very easy quick read. But I suspect I would really benefit from a 2nd or third slower reading, where I take notes.This is a quality offering from a very insightful working painter. Give it a go, there's plenty here that resonates and feels real.Note this is really not a book about practical advice or technique. This is a book of philosphical musings on what it takes to bring out the best in you, and to deepen your creative authenticity.

I have drawn or painted for most of my life and became a professional artist around ten years ago. I have attended many courses and have large reference library of books and DVD's. I have to say that for the reader who already has some experience of painting or even the more advanced artist Ian's inexpensive, small book is the best that I have ever read in terms of, expressing your voice, of getting over painters bloc and self motivation. It is inspirational and has helped me immensely to get back on track with many elements of my work and to find my own true direction. There is no need to read it from cover to cover although you could read it from back to front and still be motivated! You can if you wish jump from chapter to chapter depending on any current difficulty. I was so taken with the book that two of my artist friends have also bought it following my recommendation. I already had Ian's book on Composition and am in the process of downloading his short videos. Thanks again Ian!

This is a highly readable, insightful and very helpful book about painting. I would recommend it to every artist and painter however long you may have been painting. It is divided into 16 chapters, each with its own distinctive topic.I will keep this book for frequent reference in my studio it is so good!

Liked everything about this book. Excellent for putting an artist's thought process together.

I found this book so encouraging and inspiring after my fine art degree. A well-needed reminder for anyone who feels they've got lost in the world of commercial art and want to find themselves again.