Art Without Mental Imagery

Art Without Mental Imagery

Picture a fish. Spin it around in your head, like you’re microwaving the little guy in your mind.

If you can do it, that means your brain is capable of forming mental imagery. However, around 2-4% of people lack this ability. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “aphantasia is when your brain doesn’t form mental images as part of your thinking or imagination.”[3] Sometimes aphantasia arises after an injury or surgery affects the brain – but oftentimes, it’s something you’re born with. It’s not a disorder or a disability, but it is associated with neurodivergence by some experts.[6][5] Of course, as an illustrator, this raises questions. What kind of relationship do people with aphantasia have with visual art? And perhaps more importantly – if someone has aphantasia, how do they learn to draw?

Aphantasia removes an element of artistic brainstorming that is often taken for granted: the ability to create any semblance of mental imagery. In 2021, a study showed that aphantasic individuals tend to have a strong preference for writing text over drawing pictures. Notably, 13.11% of the study’s aphantasic participants still reported being employed in the visual arts.[4]   An article written by Adam Zeman, the person who coined the term “aphantasia”[9], spotlights the relationship between aphantasic artists and the making of artwork. Many people with aphantasia were recorded as having a higher tendency to take photos, since they wouldn’t be able to recall the images later. Likewise, aphantasic artists can use their skills to capture or visualize emotions or visuals externally – in a way their mind cannot.[10]

Using artwork to convey things that cannot be recalled is a wonderful ability for an aphantasic person to have, but how can someone with aphantasia know how to draw in the first place? Glen Keane, who won an Oscar for his artistic work behind classic Disney movies, is probably the most well-known aphantasic artist in recent memory. His initial sketches often consisted of almost indecipherable lines and shapes, which he called “an explosion of scribbles.” By steadily refining the sketch through the removals or additions of lines, he was able to find the image he was looking for. When designing the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Keane used a similar method of refinement. He tried the features of different animals – like lions or bison – until he reached an appearance that felt right to him [7]. Zoe Aguirre, another aphantasic artist, details her process of creating original artwork in an article from Aphantasia Network. According to her writing, knowledge of core characteristics such as shape or texture is critical, along with the use of references. Like in Keane’s case, Aguirre notes that dedicated practice is a core part of developing artistic skill and muscle memory.[1]

There is an array of other artists with aphantasia documenting their experiences as well, such as Alice Anderson.[2]

Even though mental visualization is a critical component in many artists’ processes, the existence of aphantasic artists proves that there is more than one path to success when it comes to art.