The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are

This book came to me at a weird time in my life. I was in art school around 2010 and was feeling frustrated/depressed about my progress. There was this general aimlessness about who I was and if I had what it took to be a graphic designer. I wasn’t nearly as disciplined as I was now to be able to take criticism and understand how to be objective about design. But I was also just not feeling confident as an artist and feeling like I made a mistake career-wise. This book jumped out at me at the library and changed how in view drawing, sketching and creativity overall. It reminded me of my observational drawing class and the freedom to experiment with new media and focus on the process and craft of drawing. Just to be clear, Danny writes this as more of a journal and inspirational pep talk, weaving in little techniques and tricks to boost creativity, it’s mostly a messy collection of drawings, quotes and observations. This is, however, not a bad thing. The pages explode with handwriting, drawings, scribbles and inspiration! I love just thumbing through it when brainstorming before I do a watercolor or want to do something different in my sketchbook. It challenges me to keep going even when i don’t feel like it because that is when i happen on original ideas and fun surprises in my work. I still wrestle with graphic design vs illustration, but I always have my sketchbook to turn to when I need to release emotion or capture a quick idea. That’s what this book has given me, the freedom to be quirky and expressive just for the fun of it. If you need something more linear and instructional, Danny has other books that might suit your taste. I also own Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain so that I can reference and sharpen myself. But If you are burnt out or dismissive about your own drawing/creativity, this book is for you. All you need is the want to try and give yourself to a sketchbook everyday. This is art for the sake of creating art, drawing your breakfast or your closet, journaling your thoughts and creating a record of the moment you are in so that you can feel alive again.

Many years ago I gave myself the permission to be what I was in my heart--a kid, an artist, a drawer, a painter. When I first opened Danny's book and brushed through the pages, I had tears in my eyes. I remember the sad days when I was afraid to try something new. To be something I didn't feel I could...and since I didn't feel that I could do it, I usually didn't. Danny's book tears away at the premise of this fear. Gives you the permission..and suggestions for a creative life....and a journaling life that you never have experienced before. Creativity begets creativity. When you have it and use it, it grows...in leaps and bounds. You forget about the things you "think" you can't do...and just go for it...whatever "it" is! Since giving myself permission to be creative, I have become a watercolor artist, dabbled into pastels, acrylics, oils, crocheting, quilting, knitting, learned how to play the guitar, the Irish tin whistle, and the Native American Flute. Where will this spirit take me now? Who knows...but I will have journals filled with images to indicate my experiences and adventures. Thank you Danny for writing this book! I am sure it will fill my creative spirit with fun for many years to come! Nancy from WI

I have read three of Danny Gregory's books and I love them all. The Creative License is probably my favorite as it's a 'doing' book. It's filled with exercises that start simple and build on one another to teach daily sketching. One of the biggest gifts that Danny Gregory gives is encouragement/inner permission to draw. He seems to have decided to be who he really is. In being himself, he wordlessly encourages the rest of us to be ourselves too, in all of our imperfect glory. This sounds simple and it is but it's also profound. He also teaches the value of drawing as a way of seeing. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that he teaches seeing as a way of drawing. As a result of this book and encouragement from dear friends, I started sketching. I don't do it everyday but I've filled four or five journals over the past several years. Sketching this way brings me deep joy. Perhaps it's because really seeing requires being in the present moment. This kind of sketching also chips away at old rigid perfectionism which is no fun at all. I;m learning to let go and draw what I see. When I do, lovely (not perfect but juicy) things happen! Sometimes I get all tight and rigid and that's okay too. I figure I have to get that out of my system in order to get to the juice. I highly recommend this book and also his newsletter and blog.

Inspiring, fun

I just want to say that this book has been so inspiring for me to read. I don't feel like I can draw worth beans but this author and this book has helped me overcome so many of my fears and to get rid of my excuses for not expressing myself creatively like I deeply yearn to do. There are great quotes and lots and lots of drawings throughout the book. It's chock-full of ideas. The message that keeps coming to me is "Just draw and stop worrying so much about how it will look!" He compares drawing to learning to ride a bicycle. When you first got on a bike, you didn't know how to ride. With practice you were able to learn how to do it. It's the same with drawing. So what if your first drawings look like crud? You learn from your mistakes and you keep trying. Pretty soon drawing will come just as naturally to you as bicycle riding does! I highly recommend this book!

I learned to draw when I was a teenager and I felt good doing it then. But for some reason, I felt very insecure to start drawing again, and to even keep a sketch book. This book helped me realize that I can draw like before or better, that I am already creative and also that it was only me telling myself that I couldn't do it what was stopping me. That I just needed to start doing it. This is a great book for people that are new to sketching and journaling or for the ones that want to try it or the ones that are afraid to retake it, or that lost their confidence on the way. This book helps you feel empowered and to get working right away. It has great advice on drawing, journaling, keeping a sketch book, getting rid of your critics (including your inner one!), and feeling good about your efforts. I strongly recommend this book. It has been very useful and enjoyable for me

I bought Everyday Matters expecting a book about how to keep an illustrated journal. When I received it, I was immediately moved and inspired by the Gregorys' story, and blown away by the illustrations. (I was born in NY, and DG captures it like a photo never could.) When I stumbled across Creative Licence, I was so excited! The book contains a collection of inspiring stories and charming illustrations, along with perfectly simple how-to's. What distinguishes it from others in the genre is the conversational nudging you might get--if you're lucky--from your best pal. It's full of great advice that works without diet or exercise. The author's humanity and humor (don't miss the part called "Why Drawing is like Sex.) shine through in this engaging book. It's a bonus that the colors and page layouts are fun to look at. I keep picking it up to reread parts I want to focus on. Creative License is a keeper that contains essential nutrients and a side of yummy junk food for the creative soul.

I enjoyed the books text (all hand written as opposed to actual standard fonts) as well as the energy with which it was written. I liked his encouragement and personal back history and advice to first time journal writers. The imagery is abundant and colorful. And I have to admit that I found his energy, encouragement, and frankness somewhat infectious. I was happy to see just how much he emphasized basic observational skills in terms of how much it can improve ones drawings. In my own experience I find this to be true. Another positive thing is how drawing is demystified and that one doesn't have to orchestrate works of art in ones journal; drawing (and appreciating) the things of everyday life are strongly encouraged. What I disagreed with most was his statement that one should avoid putting negative things in their journal and that they should always be upbeat and positive. Perhaps that works for the author, but I think his is a unique attitude towards journaling; my guess is that most use their journals as a means to document ALL aspects of their life: the good, the bad, AND the ugly. I felt the small section where he teaches people how to draw was brief (and unnecessary if you aren't into keeping an exceptionally visual journal). His recommended exercises were scattered at best; for example, his drawing exercises range from something you'd learn in a college level Drawing I class to Advanced Drawing; I imagine the jump from the former to the latter could be very frustrating for people without a drawing background. He was also very one-sided about how one should draw in their journal; he basically states that brief sketches and quick drawings only prove that people lack the patience and attention span to sit down and make a complete and accurate drawing, whereas I feel sketches hold just as much as any "complete" drawing. I find merit in his opinion, but I don't agree with it as vehemently as he does. This is definitely a book for those interested in keeping predominantly visual journals.

I wish this book was translated in Italian and used in schools! Moving, exciting, deep, witty... I found myself laughing and with watery eyes while holding my pencil and performing my own creative license, thanks to Danny Gregory's teachings. It took me 20 years to start drawing again, I am glad I started with this book.

Wonderful book!

Purchased this book at the request of my artist wife... she has used this book daily since purchase arrived. This book is great for beginner and the experienced artist alike.... full of great stories and tips that help build your creative process. Great buy.

Bon il faut être bilingue mais livre très sympa à l’image de ses vidéos YouTube !

I love this book so much! I bought it a couple of years ago now and am still even now referring to it and re-reading it. The book is not so much a 'learn to draw book' teaching loads of technical lessons but is rather a book that focuses on trying to get you excited and inspired to draw. This book is aimed at those who have always admired others having drawing in their lives and have always wanted it too but don't know how or are too scared to get started. For this reason, I can understand if some people would find this slightly patronising. Me personally, I find no hint of the author being patronising but instead see his enthusiasm for the subject being poured out by the bucket loads on the page. You really get a sense that the author is routing for you and this makes it a greatly encouraging book. What I like as well is how the author doesn't allow you to just sit reading the book the whole time but almost straight away is encouraging you to draw, feel the fear-as a lot of people do, and do it anyway! This book is a very personal book from the author as it is clearly all based on his experiences of drawing. Throughout, he's constantly giving you advice as you develop in creating an illustrated journal (this is something that he really encourages) and also a nice sense of mutual understanding when it becomes a struggle. A few people have been commenting about the capital letter writing. I can see how this isn't to everyone's preference as a lot of handwriting style font can be hard to read. However, I didn't actually notice hugely the fact that all the text was in capitals, a sign that it clearly didn't bother me. I've had no problems reading the text as it's all well laid out and easy to understand. I actually love that it's all written in this style as it further adds to the beauty of this book. That is one thing that is definitely worth mentioning. The whole presentation is just brilliant. Clearly a lot of time has been put into the look of this book and this certainly doesn't go unnoticed. Just looking at the drawings and presentation of this book alone I think is a great source of inspiration. So even if you find you can't get on with the text, the book itself will allow you to take something hopefully away with you. As an art student myself, this book has played a great part in my development in the subject. If you need a boost of confidence and inspiration to get yourself drawing, this book is definitely worth a look at. I just hope that you find it as inspirational as I have.