Art & fear
by David Bayles, Ted Orland · first published 1993
51% recommend46% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Short, pithy look at the creative process: doubt, talent, persistence, and why making lots of work builds quality, as in the ceramics quantity-vs-quality story. Suits artists, programmers and founders.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The book's co-authors, David Bayles and Ted Orland, are themselves both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Their insights and observations, drawn from personal experience, provide an incisive view into the world of art as it is expeienced by artmakers themselves. This is not your typical self-help book. This is a book written by artists, for artists-- it's about what it feels l
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…have magically becoming a story. I really don’t like the framing here. To be blunt, this person is being a jerk. For a real discussion on the process of making art of any kind, I recommend reading [Art and Fear](https://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaki...) by David Bayles and Ted Orland. It’s a lot more insightful about human nature than calling people lairs for falling into the same patterns…
on “If You Have Writer's Block, Maybe You Should Stop Lying” ↗This is the running premise behind the book Art and Fear, which basically concludes that iteration with quality feedback is the best way to develop your abilities and produce your best work. That is, quantity is the best path to quality. https://www.amazon.com/Art-Fear-Observations-Rewards-Artmaki...
on “Ask HN: Why is everything in JavaScript changing so fast?” ↗That anecdote is from a book called Art and Fear, by David Bayles and Ted Orlando. It's a short, excellent study on the exact thrust of this thread: i.e, the collision of talent and persistence and how a successful artist harnesses both of them. On…
on “The No. 1 Habit of Highly Creative People” ↗Try "Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by Ted Orland and David Bayles. Pithy and written for those beginning their careers in fields traditionally considered "creative", the discussions within are relevant to both would-be programmers and entrepreneurs. Much of the book is about finding your work, ignoring distractions, recognizing failed attempts as essential t
on “Ask HN: Best Business Book For a 13-year-old Girl?” ↗This is normal. I'm feeling it right now with what I want to do. In my heart and mind, I _know_ I can do it, but then the doubts and fears rush in. I totally understand the feeling you're going through. I just finished _Art & Fear_ by David Bayles and Ted Orland which is a fantastic book about creating stuff. Nearly all the advice applies to software developers. Don't give up. Success isn't bi
on “Ask HN: As a programmer do you have ups and downs and periods of intense doubt?” ↗Art & Fear Of all the books I've read, this one resonated with me the most. It discusses the process of art making, both the personal process of finding your work and learning how to get better, as well as the issues with being judged through your work. If you treat your projects/code more like art than science, I think this book will be an enjoyable and provoking read.
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗While the tips in this article are pretty generic, I will say that working artist are among the hardest working group of people I've ever known. It takes extreme dedication and an iron will to keep up a full time artistic practice. If anyone is interested in the working/day to day of artists I suggest the following books: inside the painter's studio (Joe Fig): https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Arti
on “5 Things Artists Can Teach Us about Productivity” ↗For those interested in a more thoughtful take on this subject, I highly recommend the short book, "Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by David Bayles and Arthur Morey. Favorite quote, "When rich people get together, they talk about art. When artists get together, they talk about money."
on “Strike with the Band: The meritocratic failures of classical music” ↗Art & Fear - Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking - David Bayles & Ted Orland. A tremendous read, about our human nature and creativity. An analysis on our limits, what talent is, and the common fears. A very freeing experience.
on “Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately?” ↗There’s this great story from the book “Art and Fear”, that's very appropriate here: === The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded…
on “I'm learning to code by building 180 websites in 180 days. Today is day 115” ↗This idea is captured nicely in the book "Art and Fear" with the following anecdote: "The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely…
on “Tricks to start working despite not feeling like it” ↗I disagree with the tone of your comment. The book cited in the article, "Art and Fear", was first published in 1994. Having read both this article and the original book I strongly argue that neither has lost relevance over time. Re-posts are OK.
on “Quantity Always Trumps Quality (2008)” ↗For artistic creation I always come back to this anecdote from the book "Art and Fear": "The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely on the quantity of work they…
on “It’s Never Going to Be Perfect, So Just Get It Done” ↗…you) was enlightening and enjoyable. This book helped me understand many aspects of design and sales that had been black boxes for me http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/... 2. Art and Fear - This is a book nominally about the relationship between artists and how they go about making art but it is useful for anyone creative. It's about how to go about making when you have errands to run,…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2014?” ↗…music with a group, sometimes writing and occasionally drawing or painting. It focuses me on the emotional experience and response to entering the unknown and finding flow there There's a book called Art and Fear that nails the tao of it.
on “Ask HN: What bits of fundamental knowledge are productivity multipliers?” ↗