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Becoming an Artist: How to Make Art Like a Human by Embracing Failure, Discovering Your Creative Voice & Finding Joy in the Process
USA Today Bestseller!
From the internet’s “art dad”: an encouraging and inspiring guide for artists of all levels to embrace failure, overcome self-doubt, and rediscover the joy of creating art.
Is there such a thing as cheating in art? No.
Am I too old to start making art? Of course not.
Will I ever like my art? Yes. Eventually. But not always (it’s complicated).
Can my art ever get better? Yes. But with practice (and a lot of patience).
If I become an artist, will I be rich? What? No. Who’s asking these questions???
With the inviting nature of Bob Ross and the kindness and empathy of Mister Rogers, Scott Christian Sava has become the internet’s “art dad” to over four million artists (young and old) around the world. But this is not a book about how to hold a pencil. Or how to draw a superhero. Or how to break into the art world (although we do talk about that a little). It’s about how we can enjoy the process of making art and let go of perfection and self-doubt and the fear of failure by learning to be okay with where we are on our own individual artistic journey. That art is all about experimentation, failing, and trying again.
Becoming an Artist is part encouragement, part storytelling, part sketchbook. Filled with art, stories, silly tangents, hard-won wisdom, and over 50 black-and-white watercolor illustrations, all created during a very hectic week in New York City.
Whether you’re a total beginner, a burned-out pro, or someone who hasn’t made art since middle school, this book is your permission slip to just make stuff. To be weird. To be imperfect. To be human.
From the internet’s “art dad”: an encouraging and inspiring guide for artists of all levels to embrace failure, overcome self-doubt, and rediscover the joy of creating art.
Is there such a thing as cheating in art? No.
Am I too old to start making art? Of course not.
Will I ever like my art? Yes. Eventually. But not always (it’s complicated).
Can my art ever get better? Yes. But with practice (and a lot of patience).
If I become an artist, will I be rich? What? No. Who’s asking these questions???
With the inviting nature of Bob Ross and the kindness and empathy of Mister Rogers, Scott Christian Sava has become the internet’s “art dad” to over four million artists (young and old) around the world. But this is not a book about how to hold a pencil. Or how to draw a superhero. Or how to break into the art world (although we do talk about that a little). It’s about how we can enjoy the process of making art and let go of perfection and self-doubt and the fear of failure by learning to be okay with where we are on our own individual artistic journey. That art is all about experimentation, failing, and trying again.
Becoming an Artist is part encouragement, part storytelling, part sketchbook. Filled with art, stories, silly tangents, hard-won wisdom, and over 50 black-and-white watercolor illustrations, all created during a very hectic week in New York City.
Whether you’re a total beginner, a burned-out pro, or someone who hasn’t made art since middle school, this book is your permission slip to just make stuff. To be weird. To be imperfect. To be human.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 25, 2025
About the author
Scott Christian Sava
55 books66 followersScott Christian Sava is an artist, animator, illustrator, director, writer, producer, and part-time Hobbit! Over the last 30 years, Scott’s work has brought some of the world’s most beloved characters to life in film, television, comics, and games, from Casper the Friendly Ghost to the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to Star Trek to Spider-Man. Scott’s unique talents and vision have been called upon by Marvel Comics, Disney, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, and more.
In 2000 he founded Blue Dream Studios, which has produced work for Star Wars, X-Files, Aliens vs. Predator, Spider-Man, and other franchises, in addition to creating its own line of kids’ graphic novels. The studio’s first feature film, Animal Crackers, is on Netflix and was the summer of 2020’s #1 animated movie in the world.
Currently, you can find Scott making videos online to his over 4 million followers where he talks about art, autism, and how to be a kinder artist… and human.
Scott lives with his wife and two kids in a Hobbit Hole in Tennessee. Scott’s mission, simply put, is to “make the world a kinder, gentler place, one story at a time.”
In 2000 he founded Blue Dream Studios, which has produced work for Star Wars, X-Files, Aliens vs. Predator, Spider-Man, and other franchises, in addition to creating its own line of kids’ graphic novels. The studio’s first feature film, Animal Crackers, is on Netflix and was the summer of 2020’s #1 animated movie in the world.
Currently, you can find Scott making videos online to his over 4 million followers where he talks about art, autism, and how to be a kinder artist… and human.
Scott lives with his wife and two kids in a Hobbit Hole in Tennessee. Scott’s mission, simply put, is to “make the world a kinder, gentler place, one story at a time.”
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May 16, 2025
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
PLS READ THIS! Scott is the sweetest person ever and one of my all time fav social media creators. And his art 🥹‼️. He’s so talented it’s crazy. This obviously hasn’t released yet but I’m so excited to read this & pls go support him <33
PLS READ THIS! Scott is the sweetest person ever and one of my all time fav social media creators. And his art 🥹‼️. He’s so talented it’s crazy. This obviously hasn’t released yet but I’m so excited to read this & pls go support him <33
December 12, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This is not a self help book or an instruction manual or a “how to” on becoming an artist but rather a book encouraging the reader to believe they are, in fact, already an artist. Trust yourself.
Each page has nuggets of wisdom about the realities of artistry. How everyone is capable of making art and by so doing they are an artist by definition.
As an actor, an artist of a different medium, I found great value in Scott’s writing. His advice, experience and encouragement are what every artist needs to read. It is written in his voice, as if a close friend was giving you advice over coffee.
This is not a self help book or an instruction manual or a “how to” on becoming an artist but rather a book encouraging the reader to believe they are, in fact, already an artist. Trust yourself.
Each page has nuggets of wisdom about the realities of artistry. How everyone is capable of making art and by so doing they are an artist by definition.
As an actor, an artist of a different medium, I found great value in Scott’s writing. His advice, experience and encouragement are what every artist needs to read. It is written in his voice, as if a close friend was giving you advice over coffee.
Want to Read
May 17, 2025dude i love this guy gonna get this when it comes out
November 9, 2025
I never usually leave reviews for non-fiction books, I think sometimes we take what we need or have wildly differing opinions on someone's lived experiences... But I loved this book.
Scott Christian Sava is the internet's supportive "art dad." He regularly posts his creative processes and thoughts online. Sava writes about his challenges and doubts alongside his successes. I especially liked his talk around burnout and feeling uninspired. It was like reading a pep talk to newbies and seasoned artists. I loved the illustrations and perspectives throughout the layout, they read like a little comic.
I grew up drawing and doodling everyday and somehow after a degree in design always felt like any artwork I created needed to be polished and perfect, so I avoided making anything really fun. I've been trying to get back into daily drawing as a habit and I ate this book up. I highlighted so many little quotes and ideas.
My favorite chapters were Chapter 3: Draw something everyday, Chapter 5-6 use any tools and the process of making lots of bad art and 12: Passion is more important than talent or training.
I highly recommend this arc to any creative.
Rating: 5⭐
Release date: November 25, 2025
Thanks to @netgalley @hayhouse for the ARC.
Scott Christian Sava is the internet's supportive "art dad." He regularly posts his creative processes and thoughts online. Sava writes about his challenges and doubts alongside his successes. I especially liked his talk around burnout and feeling uninspired. It was like reading a pep talk to newbies and seasoned artists. I loved the illustrations and perspectives throughout the layout, they read like a little comic.
I grew up drawing and doodling everyday and somehow after a degree in design always felt like any artwork I created needed to be polished and perfect, so I avoided making anything really fun. I've been trying to get back into daily drawing as a habit and I ate this book up. I highlighted so many little quotes and ideas.
My favorite chapters were Chapter 3: Draw something everyday, Chapter 5-6 use any tools and the process of making lots of bad art and 12: Passion is more important than talent or training.
I highly recommend this arc to any creative.
Rating: 5⭐
Release date: November 25, 2025
Thanks to @netgalley @hayhouse for the ARC.
December 14, 2025
This book ist not another instructional book aiming at teaching you how to draw or paint. (Fortunately so, as aspiring artist already tend to accumulate a plethora of those.)
Instead of "How to draw?", this book answers the questions of "Why to draw?" and why you should become an Artist, or whether you already are one.
The author shares inspiring experiences, as well as fundamental insights, and he does it by inviting you for a walk through New York City with his sketchbook. The resulting drawings immerse you into the authors meditation on art itself, and on what it means to be an artist.
I finished the book in one sitting, and felt like listening to an befriended experienced artist, deeply understanding my own strive to create art. I also felt inspired to grab my pencil and start to draw right away, creating art and improving the world.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book
Instead of "How to draw?", this book answers the questions of "Why to draw?" and why you should become an Artist, or whether you already are one.
The author shares inspiring experiences, as well as fundamental insights, and he does it by inviting you for a walk through New York City with his sketchbook. The resulting drawings immerse you into the authors meditation on art itself, and on what it means to be an artist.
I finished the book in one sitting, and felt like listening to an befriended experienced artist, deeply understanding my own strive to create art. I also felt inspired to grab my pencil and start to draw right away, creating art and improving the world.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of this book
January 6, 2026
This book provides encouragement and permission to be creative for yourself. It is a message I needed to hear.
June 26, 2026
If you are a creative in any way, I think you should read this book.
It shines a light on so much from learning how to actually do the art to the questions of why we should. It’s a good reminder to find joy in your art, and if it’s not bringing you joy, figure out why and find a way for it to bring joy again—even if it means taking a step away.
Thank you, Mr. Sava, for always bringing joy.
It shines a light on so much from learning how to actually do the art to the questions of why we should. It’s a good reminder to find joy in your art, and if it’s not bringing you joy, figure out why and find a way for it to bring joy again—even if it means taking a step away.
Thank you, Mr. Sava, for always bringing joy.
October 26, 2025
'Encourage' is the word Scott uses to define what he wants to do with his art, his channel and this book. Encourage us to make art, to try something new, to be true to yourself. And encouraging us is what he does.
'Becoming an artist' is full of helpful life lessons. Such as: there's no cheating in art, everyone can be an artist, and let no one tell you what you can and can't do with your art (though it might be helpful to listen to well meant advise).
Although he claims he is not a teacher, Scott teaches us tons of new things: how to steal like an artist, which materials to choose, and how to become a better artist.
Overall, the book is fun, educational, and most of all encouraging to make art, to be an artist.
'Becoming an artist' is full of helpful life lessons. Such as: there's no cheating in art, everyone can be an artist, and let no one tell you what you can and can't do with your art (though it might be helpful to listen to well meant advise).
Although he claims he is not a teacher, Scott teaches us tons of new things: how to steal like an artist, which materials to choose, and how to become a better artist.
Overall, the book is fun, educational, and most of all encouraging to make art, to be an artist.
October 30, 2025
This is such an amazing book and Scott is such a lovely character. I've been watching his videos for many years now (which has helped me both with my art and also my mental health) and was very excited when I knew he had a book coming out. It really is a great read, you can tell he has put a lot of love into it and the art advice is solid too. Totally would recommend!
June 22, 2026
I am an artist. So I was very interested in the book after seeing the title and the cover. In today's world, art has no value, and neither does the artist. Anyway, Accompanied by beautiful, monochromatic watercolor sketches created by Sava himself, Becoming an Artist feels incredibly intimate. It acts less like a textbook and more like an official "permission slip" to be weird, make mistakes, and create art purely because it makes you happy. If you are currently fighting art block or feeling crushed by the pressure of perfection, this is the exact book you need on your shelf.
June 10, 2026
Really enjoyed the conversational style of this. It's not a how-to in terms of the practicalities of art making, but a how-to in terms of figuring out who 'artist you' is, how they make art, and how to really delight in the process without worrying about the product too much. I'd love to see Scott dive deeper into some elements of this.
December 31, 2025
It was a very well written book, giving a good perspectivie of how to approach thinking about and practicing your art. I enjoyed the relaxed and encouraging writing style. I especially enjoyed the last chapter which walked you through the process of how Scott designed the cover. It's rare that you get to see behind the artists curtain, scribbles, idea generation and rejection.
Edit: I've let it sink in a little more and I find that I think I will keep coming back to this book. I see a lot of myself in the same struggles that Scott describes and this has given me the confidence to go forth and give myself the freedom to do that art that I've never felt I was good enough to do.
No matter your level in art I recommend you this book. I recommend it too for those who are the friends and family memebers of artists as it will give you an insight into what we do and feel on a daily basis.
Edit: I've let it sink in a little more and I find that I think I will keep coming back to this book. I see a lot of myself in the same struggles that Scott describes and this has given me the confidence to go forth and give myself the freedom to do that art that I've never felt I was good enough to do.
No matter your level in art I recommend you this book. I recommend it too for those who are the friends and family memebers of artists as it will give you an insight into what we do and feel on a daily basis.
January 2, 2026
Five stars. This was the perfect book to start 2026 with.
I have surprisingly little to say about this book aside from ‘it was amazing,’ but I guess I’ll start with my thoughts on the physical book. . . .Yup, it’s still amazing. The cover art is gorgeous (Scott drew it himself, of course, which makes the book feel even more authentic), the physical pages are beautiful (there are very transparent color splashes in the corners of each page that make the book feel really organic and cozy), each chapter has color splotches with the title (and those chapter mark pages that spread over two pages have little gesture drawings of people from New York in the bottom left corner!), the book is filled with gorgeous illustrations of New York (complete with fun, conversational commentary in the style of Scott’s YouTube videos), and I was lucky enough to get a copy with the signed sketch in the front that is incredibly satisfying just to look at. It’s clear from every page how much thought and creativity went into designing this book. Just the vibes of the physical book alone are so unique and warm.
And I haven’t even touched on the actual content yet! Scott’s writing style is amazing- it’s exactly how he talks online, and it feels unbelievably real and genuine because of it. Every sentence reads like a conversation with a nice, caring father figure (this guy has definitely earned the title of the internet’s ‘art dad’), complete with important wisdom and really bad dad jokes. There were a few typos, but certainly nothing egregious or anything that made sentences hard to understand. And honestly, I think it added to the message about humanity and mistakes this book imparts.
Oh yeah, I’ll talk about that real quick. This book is like food for an artist’s soul. I had a taxing 5-hour painting session today before I sat down to finish this book, and I could literally feel my imposter syndrome and burnout fading as I read (to be fair, most books tend to help me with mental and emotional exhaustion anyways, but this one definitely made me feel better about myself- and that stupid wave painting 😒- much faster than usual). Not only is this filled to the brim with affirmations for every artist of every level, but it also has tons of useful tips to help artists everywhere, at any stage of their art journey. Personally, the thumbnail tip actually reminded me to plan a bit more before I start working on my NEXT piece (can you tell I’m overwhelmed with art projects right now?), which will probably save future me a lot of trouble. Thanks, Scott!
In addition to great commentary on the mental struggles unique to artists, there’s tons of good, solid life lessons in here: Be kind. You don’t have to know all the answers. Do your best to love everyone. Broaden your horizons. Experience new things. Do your best. Have fun. Create, create, create.
As a certified 4 on the Enneagram (and an actual artist, too), I was always going to like this book, but I definitely picked the perfect time to finish it, right when I needed the encouragement to keep working on art.
This book felt like a warm hug to my artist soul. I highly recommend to any creatives, whether you make physical art, music, dance, cosplay, or anything. Honestly, I think there’s a lot in here non-artists could learn from, too.
Yeah, on second thought, I recommend this to everyone. It’s just the right balance of wholesome, witty, cheesy, warm, and heartfelt to make me happy, and hopefully everyone else, too. Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2026 is filled with more books as good as this!
I have surprisingly little to say about this book aside from ‘it was amazing,’ but I guess I’ll start with my thoughts on the physical book. . . .Yup, it’s still amazing. The cover art is gorgeous (Scott drew it himself, of course, which makes the book feel even more authentic), the physical pages are beautiful (there are very transparent color splashes in the corners of each page that make the book feel really organic and cozy), each chapter has color splotches with the title (and those chapter mark pages that spread over two pages have little gesture drawings of people from New York in the bottom left corner!), the book is filled with gorgeous illustrations of New York (complete with fun, conversational commentary in the style of Scott’s YouTube videos), and I was lucky enough to get a copy with the signed sketch in the front that is incredibly satisfying just to look at. It’s clear from every page how much thought and creativity went into designing this book. Just the vibes of the physical book alone are so unique and warm.
And I haven’t even touched on the actual content yet! Scott’s writing style is amazing- it’s exactly how he talks online, and it feels unbelievably real and genuine because of it. Every sentence reads like a conversation with a nice, caring father figure (this guy has definitely earned the title of the internet’s ‘art dad’), complete with important wisdom and really bad dad jokes. There were a few typos, but certainly nothing egregious or anything that made sentences hard to understand. And honestly, I think it added to the message about humanity and mistakes this book imparts.
Oh yeah, I’ll talk about that real quick. This book is like food for an artist’s soul. I had a taxing 5-hour painting session today before I sat down to finish this book, and I could literally feel my imposter syndrome and burnout fading as I read (to be fair, most books tend to help me with mental and emotional exhaustion anyways, but this one definitely made me feel better about myself- and that stupid wave painting 😒- much faster than usual). Not only is this filled to the brim with affirmations for every artist of every level, but it also has tons of useful tips to help artists everywhere, at any stage of their art journey. Personally, the thumbnail tip actually reminded me to plan a bit more before I start working on my NEXT piece (can you tell I’m overwhelmed with art projects right now?), which will probably save future me a lot of trouble. Thanks, Scott!
In addition to great commentary on the mental struggles unique to artists, there’s tons of good, solid life lessons in here: Be kind. You don’t have to know all the answers. Do your best to love everyone. Broaden your horizons. Experience new things. Do your best. Have fun. Create, create, create.
As a certified 4 on the Enneagram (and an actual artist, too), I was always going to like this book, but I definitely picked the perfect time to finish it, right when I needed the encouragement to keep working on art.
This book felt like a warm hug to my artist soul. I highly recommend to any creatives, whether you make physical art, music, dance, cosplay, or anything. Honestly, I think there’s a lot in here non-artists could learn from, too.
Yeah, on second thought, I recommend this to everyone. It’s just the right balance of wholesome, witty, cheesy, warm, and heartfelt to make me happy, and hopefully everyone else, too. Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2026 is filled with more books as good as this!
November 28, 2025
So your goal is Becoming an Artist. But you have no idea how to begin. And you need a bit, or a lot, of encouragement.
First, what should you make? A drawing, a painting, a sculpture (wow, I’m impressed by your ambition), or something else completely. Actually, what is art? Is it a banana taped to a wall (that sold for millions to a tech bro recently)? According to this book, art is what you create. You don’t have to sell it, put it in a gallery, or really even display it. It is just what you create. What you bring into the world. What you call art yourself. Your dinner plate of food can be art if you want it to be.
Next, how to begin. The author suggests drawing the real life around you. Take photos to draw from if that life is moving fast. Drawing objects from your imagination is the next stage—not the first. Though of course if you already have original art, that’s art too. But expand your horizons beyond what you like to draw and draw literally everything to increase your skill level. The author also encourages artists (that’s you!) to spend one hour a day drawing something. Every day. Even if it takes a hundred drawings to get one good one. In fact, don’t even worry about creating “good art”. Just start creating something.
I love this book. I was much happier creating (what I realized was mostly bad art later) rather than just thinking about what would be the perfect artist creation. That is the author’s point too (along with Nike), just do it. And use whatever tool you need. Tracing, using rulers or photos, and mixing media are all fine. Do what you need to do. Becoming an Artist not only encourages, it also empowers the artist within you to jump out and create something new. 5 stars and a favorite! This is a book everyone should read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hay House for providing me with an advanced review copy.
First, what should you make? A drawing, a painting, a sculpture (wow, I’m impressed by your ambition), or something else completely. Actually, what is art? Is it a banana taped to a wall (that sold for millions to a tech bro recently)? According to this book, art is what you create. You don’t have to sell it, put it in a gallery, or really even display it. It is just what you create. What you bring into the world. What you call art yourself. Your dinner plate of food can be art if you want it to be.
Next, how to begin. The author suggests drawing the real life around you. Take photos to draw from if that life is moving fast. Drawing objects from your imagination is the next stage—not the first. Though of course if you already have original art, that’s art too. But expand your horizons beyond what you like to draw and draw literally everything to increase your skill level. The author also encourages artists (that’s you!) to spend one hour a day drawing something. Every day. Even if it takes a hundred drawings to get one good one. In fact, don’t even worry about creating “good art”. Just start creating something.
I love this book. I was much happier creating (what I realized was mostly bad art later) rather than just thinking about what would be the perfect artist creation. That is the author’s point too (along with Nike), just do it. And use whatever tool you need. Tracing, using rulers or photos, and mixing media are all fine. Do what you need to do. Becoming an Artist not only encourages, it also empowers the artist within you to jump out and create something new. 5 stars and a favorite! This is a book everyone should read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hay House for providing me with an advanced review copy.
November 5, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for the ARC of this wonderfully inspiring and heartfelt book.
Becoming an Artist by Scott Christian Sava isn’t just a guide—it’s more like sitting down with a friend who truly gets what it means to be creative. It’s warm, funny, and deeply encouraging, filled with gorgeous illustrations and honest reflections about what it means to make art in a sometimes chaotic world.
From the very first pages, Sava’s words feel like a gentle nudge (or sometimes a full-on cheer) to just create. As he writes:
“Encourage you to make art.
Encourage you to try something new.
Encourage you to create something that brings more beauty in this world.
Encourage you to be true to yourself.
Encourage you to feel all the feels and not be ashamed.
Encourage you to be confident enough to, hopefully, convince others to do the same.”
That passage alone made me stop and smile. It perfectly captures the heart of this book—permission to be yourself, to experiment, and to make something simply because it brings you joy.
And then there’s this quote that completely won me over:
“You can decide to be an artist. Right here. Right now. You have all the power and authority to proclaim yourself an artist. With absolute certainty and with all the benefits and pedigree that accompanies the prestigious title of ‘artist’.”
That line hit me right in the creative soul—it’s such a powerful reminder that art doesn’t come from credentials or validation; it comes from the decision to begin.
Also, I have to mention the T. rex skeleton drawing—I absolutely loved it! It’s playful, detailed, and full of life, just like the rest of the book.
Overall, Becoming an Artist is a beautiful love letter to creativity. Whether you’ve been making art for years or are just finding your footing, this book will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to create something of your own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a warm, encouraging, and joy-filled reminder that anyone can be an artist if they’re brave enough to say, “I am one.”
Becoming an Artist by Scott Christian Sava isn’t just a guide—it’s more like sitting down with a friend who truly gets what it means to be creative. It’s warm, funny, and deeply encouraging, filled with gorgeous illustrations and honest reflections about what it means to make art in a sometimes chaotic world.
From the very first pages, Sava’s words feel like a gentle nudge (or sometimes a full-on cheer) to just create. As he writes:
“Encourage you to make art.
Encourage you to try something new.
Encourage you to create something that brings more beauty in this world.
Encourage you to be true to yourself.
Encourage you to feel all the feels and not be ashamed.
Encourage you to be confident enough to, hopefully, convince others to do the same.”
That passage alone made me stop and smile. It perfectly captures the heart of this book—permission to be yourself, to experiment, and to make something simply because it brings you joy.
And then there’s this quote that completely won me over:
“You can decide to be an artist. Right here. Right now. You have all the power and authority to proclaim yourself an artist. With absolute certainty and with all the benefits and pedigree that accompanies the prestigious title of ‘artist’.”
That line hit me right in the creative soul—it’s such a powerful reminder that art doesn’t come from credentials or validation; it comes from the decision to begin.
Also, I have to mention the T. rex skeleton drawing—I absolutely loved it! It’s playful, detailed, and full of life, just like the rest of the book.
Overall, Becoming an Artist is a beautiful love letter to creativity. Whether you’ve been making art for years or are just finding your footing, this book will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to create something of your own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a warm, encouraging, and joy-filled reminder that anyone can be an artist if they’re brave enough to say, “I am one.”
April 7, 2026
Encouragement for young and developing artists.
At this point I'm not a beginning artist, nor am I an expert. This book was written apparently for young artists, possibly teenagers and young adults. I read it to see what Scott Christian Sava had to say about art. He is well-known thanks to YouTube and Instagram.
Oh, what a great book it is! I enjoyed reading every chapter. He explained a lot about his own art journey, his experiences, the common experiences of most artists, and what to expect if one dreams of having an art career.
Too late for me - I'm retired and am not looking for a career path to art greatness, of any kind. I do love practicing and developing art skills as a late-life hobby. Still the book was nice to read and I liked his sketches of things in New York City.
If you're into art making, you might enjoy reading this book no matter how old you are!
At this point I'm not a beginning artist, nor am I an expert. This book was written apparently for young artists, possibly teenagers and young adults. I read it to see what Scott Christian Sava had to say about art. He is well-known thanks to YouTube and Instagram.
Oh, what a great book it is! I enjoyed reading every chapter. He explained a lot about his own art journey, his experiences, the common experiences of most artists, and what to expect if one dreams of having an art career.
Too late for me - I'm retired and am not looking for a career path to art greatness, of any kind. I do love practicing and developing art skills as a late-life hobby. Still the book was nice to read and I liked his sketches of things in New York City.
If you're into art making, you might enjoy reading this book no matter how old you are!
February 18, 2026
I've been watching Scott's content on YouTube for a while now, and have been waiting to read this book since he announced it.
Now, most things that he talks about in this book are those that he talks about a lot or at least a little on his channel, so if you have watched a lot of his stuff, everything he says will be very familiar, and many a time he uses the same wording that he usually does. Thing is, I really like his way of talking about art, so it didn't really bother me at all, and on top of that, I love his insights, and he's always been a big inspiration for me in my own art, plus the new stuff he does give us is great.
My favourite part of the whole thing was the bonus track at the end of the audiobook, though
Now, most things that he talks about in this book are those that he talks about a lot or at least a little on his channel, so if you have watched a lot of his stuff, everything he says will be very familiar, and many a time he uses the same wording that he usually does. Thing is, I really like his way of talking about art, so it didn't really bother me at all, and on top of that, I love his insights, and he's always been a big inspiration for me in my own art, plus the new stuff he does give us is great.
My favourite part of the whole thing was the bonus track at the end of the audiobook, though
October 31, 2025
***I received a free advance reader copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own***
First let me start by saying I’m a subscriber to Scott’s YouTube channel. I tried not to let this influence me and read this book as if I’d never heard of him. Scott’s conversational tone made this a very easy book to read and I found it very comforting and inspiring. It was written in such a way that made it feel like a pep talk which I desperately needed. There are no tutorials here but there are a lot of beautiful urban sketches created during his short trip to NYC specifically for this book.
No single art medium or technique is the focus of the book so I believe every artist would benefit from giving it a read. I highly recommend
First let me start by saying I’m a subscriber to Scott’s YouTube channel. I tried not to let this influence me and read this book as if I’d never heard of him. Scott’s conversational tone made this a very easy book to read and I found it very comforting and inspiring. It was written in such a way that made it feel like a pep talk which I desperately needed. There are no tutorials here but there are a lot of beautiful urban sketches created during his short trip to NYC specifically for this book.
No single art medium or technique is the focus of the book so I believe every artist would benefit from giving it a read. I highly recommend
March 2, 2026
If you’ve watched any of Scott’s social media content, you’ll really love this guide to embracing and growing your art. However, if you’re unfamiliar with his videos, the writing style might feel a bit awkward because he writes exactly like how he talks. For me, I was able to read it with his vocal mannerisms in mind which helped the flow a lot. It is overall a lovely and empathetic look into art making though, and it’s beautifully illustrated as well!
February 9, 2026
I am so proud to proclaim this is not another 2010s YouTuber book about quirky life anecdotes and half baked life advice.
This book is truly for artists at all levels and approaches it with playfulness and patience. An artist myself since I can remember, I was very happy to pull out a sticky note and take some actual notes on his advice. DRAW EVERY THING EVERY DAY! is a personal favorite :)
This book is truly for artists at all levels and approaches it with playfulness and patience. An artist myself since I can remember, I was very happy to pull out a sticky note and take some actual notes on his advice. DRAW EVERY THING EVERY DAY! is a personal favorite :)
November 2, 2025
*I did receive a free arc from net gallery in exchange for my honest review, but I already have a pre-order for the physical book so that should tell you all you need to know.
This book is as lovely as Scott is a human. Everyone who does any kind of arts and crafts, however small should go read it.
This book is as lovely as Scott is a human. Everyone who does any kind of arts and crafts, however small should go read it.
December 27, 2025
I’m so happy this book is in the world because when I was younger and reading art books I was trying to learn how to draw hands. But this is the kind of thing that people just starting out need to know and need to hear
March 13, 2026
I'm not an artist, but I still got a lot out of this! I would recommend this to creatives of any discipline
October 30, 2025
I’ve read about a quarter of this book so far, and I can already tell I love it. It’s full of insights every artist (and anyone creative) needs to hear — inspiring, beautifully written, and thoughtfully presented. I’m holding off on the rest so I can experience the physical copy for the first time, highlight my favorite lines, and fill it with page flags. I can’t wait to finish it this way when it’s released!
January 27, 2026
Amazing, as I expected from Scott! Very encouraging and helpful for young artist(or experienced ones, or anyone interested in art really). It’s personal and well written, it almost feels like a conversation more than a book
January 20, 2026
This book felt like a long conversation with a wiser and older friend. I loved every part of it.
July 25, 2026
I have been following Scott online for a few years now, and he has been a huge inspiration for me and my own art journey. When I learned that he was writing a book, I was so excited! And it did not disappoint!
This book is not meant to be a how-to; rather it reads like many of Scott’s videos - like a mentor talking about his experiences and advising on the do’s and don’t’s of the art world. It is not an instructional manual, rather it serves to inspire artists, young and old, to continue hone their craft and be creative.
And of course, the art is spectacular as always!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for providing me with a free copy of this book.
This book is not meant to be a how-to; rather it reads like many of Scott’s videos - like a mentor talking about his experiences and advising on the do’s and don’t’s of the art world. It is not an instructional manual, rather it serves to inspire artists, young and old, to continue hone their craft and be creative.
And of course, the art is spectacular as always!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hay House LLC for providing me with a free copy of this book.
July 26, 2026
I am really not one for nonfiction, I tend to struggle with it deeply. But as a creative trying to pursue that career, this was something I needed to hear. I had already been following Sava's Art career online and I could hear his rich voice as I read. It's a needed voice of empathy and kindness anyone creative, big or small, needs to hear.
October 13, 2025
mr scott is the best, i'm really excited to get this. he's so kind, funny, and so caring. i know he's a safe space for a lot of people, and i really want him to get more recognition for his amazing work and lovely heart! i've never seen a content creator who cares more about their audience.
so exicted to read this
so exicted to read this
February 19, 2026
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve finished a book fairly quickly. Scott Sava is a wonderful thoughtful man, who poured so much time and consideration into this book, and it SHOWS! He discusses the general struggles around creativity like practicing one’s skills or learning how to deal with art block. He also covers the importance of making smart choices if you want an art career and when you should advocate for yourself as a student. Each topic is shared through stories of Sava’s experiences, his witty comments and metaphors, and genuinely entertaining and sensitive reflections on what he’s experienced and learned from other artists. I genuinely recommend this book for artists who want something light but inspirational to boost their artistic enthusiasm!
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