Introduction

“Create This Book 2” is an interactive art journal and creative workbook authored by popular YouTuber and artist Moriah Elizabeth. This sequel to her original “Create This Book” builds upon the concept of guided creativity, offering readers a blend of structured prompts and open-ended artistic challenges. The book’s main purpose is to inspire and motivate artists of all skill levels to explore their creativity, overcome artistic blocks, and develop their unique style through a series of engaging and diverse art projects.

Summary of Key Points

Concept and Structure

  • Interactive format: The book is designed to be actively used and completed by the reader
  • Diverse prompts: Includes a wide range of artistic challenges and ideas
  • Skill-level flexibility: Suitable for beginners and experienced artists alike
  • Progressive difficulty: Prompts gradually increase in complexity throughout the book

Types of Prompts

  • Drawing challenges: Encourages readers to create specific scenes or objects
  • Color-based tasks: Focuses on exploring color theory and palettes
  • Mixed media projects: Combines various art techniques and materials
  • Conceptual prompts: Pushes artists to visualize abstract ideas or emotions
  • Collaborative pages: Allows multiple artists to work on the same prompt

Artistic Techniques Covered

  • Sketching and line work: Developing basic drawing skills
  • Shading and texture: Exploring depth and dimension in artwork
  • Color theory: Understanding and applying color relationships
  • Composition: Learning to arrange elements effectively in a piece
  • Mixed media: Experimenting with combining different art materials

Creativity Boosters

  • Timed challenges: Encourages spontaneity and quick thinking
  • Unusual materials: Prompts using non-traditional art supplies
  • Perspective shifts: Asks artists to view subjects from unique angles
  • Storytelling through art: Combining narrative elements with visual art
  • Emotional expression: Using art to convey feelings and moods

Personal Growth Elements

  • Overcoming perfectionism: Encourages embracing imperfections in art
  • Building confidence: Gradual skill development boosts artistic self-esteem
  • Developing habits: Regular prompts help establish a consistent art practice
  • Self-reflection: Some prompts encourage introspection through art
  • Community engagement: Sharing completed pages on social media platforms

Key Takeaways

  • Creativity is a skill that can be developed through regular practice and guided exercises
  • Artistic growth often comes from stepping out of comfort zones and trying new techniques
  • The process of creating art is just as important as the final product
  • Imperfections and “mistakes” can lead to unique and interesting artistic outcomes
  • Art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional processing
  • Combining different mediums and techniques can lead to innovative artistic styles
  • Time constraints can actually enhance creativity by reducing overthinking
  • Sharing art with others can provide motivation, feedback, and a sense of community
  • Regular artistic practice can improve problem-solving skills and visual thinking
  • The book emphasizes that everyone has the potential to be creative and artistic

Critical Analysis

Strengths

  • Accessibility: The book caters to a wide range of skill levels, making art approachable for beginners while still challenging more experienced artists
  • Variety: The diverse range of prompts keeps the content fresh and engaging throughout the book
  • Flexibility: Users can complete prompts in any order, allowing for a personalized experience
  • Community aspect: The encouragement to share completed pages online creates a supportive artistic community
  • Skill development: The progressive nature of the prompts naturally builds artistic abilities over time
  • Creativity boost: The book effectively combats artist’s block and stimulates new ideas
  • Quality: High-quality paper and binding make it suitable for various art mediums

Weaknesses

  • Overwhelm factor: The sheer number of prompts might be daunting for some users
  • Repetition: Some users might find certain prompt types repetitive if they have specific preferences
  • Lack of in-depth instruction: While great for inspiration, it may not provide enough technical guidance for complete beginners
  • Cultural specificity: Some prompts may be more relatable to certain cultural contexts, potentially limiting global appeal

Contribution to the Field

“Create This Book 2” makes a significant contribution to the field of interactive art books and creative self-help by:

  • Bridging the gap between traditional art instruction and free-form creativity
  • Popularizing the concept of guided artistic exploration for a broad audience
  • Leveraging social media to create a global community of artists sharing their work
  • Demonstrating the potential of YouTube creators to expand their influence into print media

Controversies and Debates

While “Create This Book 2” has been largely well-received, it has sparked some discussions within the art community:

  • Originality debate: Some critics argue that guided creativity books might stifle true originality
  • Digital vs. physical art: The book’s focus on traditional media has led to debates about the relevance of physical art in an increasingly digital world
  • Commercialization of creativity: Some argue that the book’s popularity represents a trend of commodifying the creative process

Conclusion

“Create This Book 2” by Moriah Elizabeth stands out as an engaging and valuable resource for artists seeking inspiration and structured creative guidance. Its strength lies in its ability to make art accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience while still offering challenges for more experienced creators. The book successfully combines practical skill development with personal growth, encouraging artists to explore their creativity in new and exciting ways.

While it may not replace traditional art instruction for those seeking in-depth technical knowledge, it excels in its primary goal of sparking creativity and helping artists overcome creative blocks. The community aspect fostered by sharing completed pages adds an extra dimension of motivation and support.

Overall, “Create This Book 2” is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to develop their artistic skills, explore their creativity, or simply enjoy the process of making art in a guided yet flexible format. It represents a modern approach to art instruction that embraces imperfection, experimentation, and the joy of creative expression.

You can purchase “Create This Book 2” by Moriah Elizabeth on Amazon. I earn a small commission from purchases made using this link.