Drawing WITHOUT Imagination - When You Can't Visualize ANYTHING

Professional concept artist, illustrator, and the creator of DrawABox.com: Irshad Karim (AKA Uncomfortable) explains the phenomenon of aphantasia and his personal experiences with it. Irshad gives us a step by step walkthrough of the creative process he uses when drawing from imagination when you can't visualize anything.
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ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Irshad Karim (drawabox.com/)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokope...)
Script - Irshad Karim
Production Assistance - Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodr...), Cody Shank
Editing - Dzmitry Tsydzik, Sean Ramsey
Cartoon Animations - Cody Shank (codyshank.com/)
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
"Jazzy Frenchy" by Bensound
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"There's No Coffee in Hell" by Bryan Teoh
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"Ain't No Friend of Mine" by Bryan Teoh
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Additional music by Epidemic Sound

[@ProkoTV]

Thanks Irshad! You can follow Irshad’s work at drawabox.com/article/motivation

[@yopomdpin6285]

Irshad is the reason why I kept on drawing and learning, he's the best !

[@esmeralda4297]

Merci !

[@juergeng6502]

Big Thanks to Irshad and Proko, you are Amazing! 😃👍💜

[@DrWho2008t101]

Great video!

[@i5m5bob]

Beginner cope, the video.

[@sweetmorgan3077]

I think aphantasia is a thing that actually made me an artist. I never had images in my head so it always felt like a miracle when I draw and there is an image happening, conjured out of nothing. I feel like if I have been able to imagine beautiful things, and trying to put it on paper, and be dissapointed by the difference, over and over, I would never keep drawing. The difference between nothing and garbage is still a positive one!

[@Katalystic]

ah yes, the reason I don't really draw much is because my visualisation is so strong and it NEVER looks how I imagined. it kind of creates high/strict expectations when you visualize too much, unfortunately I can't just turn it off to dodge the perfectionist in me

[@bondziotek5627]

wow!

[@LauraPerlitz]

Same here!

[@Curkaa]

I feel this! I always say I started drawing because I needed a distraction for my mental health, and I stuck around because after finding out I had aphantasia it made me feel like I had my own form of 'visualisation', albeit not natural to me or inside my head, and it felt really rewarding knowing I was creating something of absolutely nothing!

[@lotxs]

I'm facing same prblms and I have an exam where you need to draw what you visualize I'm having hard time

[@flavourruling2162]

Aphantasia literally caused me to quit drawing. I’m gonna pick it back up. It’s so challenging knowing where to frame a human skeletal frame to start the drawing because I don’t even know what I am seeing in my head. It’s there, I can FEEL it. Like walking in the dark and bumping into it. But I’m a blind man.

[@TinyTurboVW]

YES, that is a wonderful way to put it, I can like, imagine it and comprehend what it is and stuff, but in my head I'm kind of like a blind man

[@lonelyberg1808]

And how do you remember certain things like anatomy etc?

[@myuutosan]

"Like walking in the dark and bumping into it" is the most accurate description I've ever heard holy shit

[@myuutosan]

​@@lonelyberg1808 I'm not him but as someone with aphantasia you actually can remember details of where things are/should be you just can't SEE them. when it comes to anatomy, understanding the principal of how the muscle moves and where things should be is the most important part for me.

[@lonelyberg1808]

@@myuutosan ok thanks

[@YTRingoster]

Came for the aphantasia, stayed for the *whole dang course on creature concept design*

[@itsgeet]

if you're talking abt drawabox then, just stating it out, it NOT a course about creature concept design. it's about developing a fundamental skill of 3 dimensional sense of object from 0 up

[@Rain-nm1ee]

@@itsgeet he meant the video

[@sneepy9861]

"Don't wait for that sense that you're finally ready to draw the things that you're passionate about." I really needed to hear this. I struggle with this every single day because "what if the result isn't good enough??". Lovely video and very uplifting. Thank you.

[@Uncomfortable]

Worrying about the results is such a common problem - but at the end of the day, what do those results *really* matter? They're a short term endorphin release, and not much more. Putting the time into pushing one's self to draw, regardless of the potential outcome, is a way to start deriving enjoyment and fulfilment from the process of drawing instead - something that will provide much more lasting endurance in the long run. It's definitely something I push a lot, right at the beginning of my course, with what I call the 50/50 rule (you should spend as much time drawing just for the sake of drawing, as you do on drawing with the intent to learn and improve). Students still struggle with it though, and I know many of them don't adhere to it as closely as they should, for that very same reason: fear.

[@davsdf1]

"What if the result isn't good enough?" - Save it, then start a new one. Over and over again. Perseverance, effort, and hard work pay-off. One day you could revisit your old artworks, see the actual proof of your progress, and realize how much you've grown as an artist. You're evolving! Take a little piece of advice from Peppy Hare in Starfox '64 "Never give up, trust your instincts." Have a great day.

[@thesleepypiggy]

God, I couldn't imagine not being able to visualize objects and scenes in my head. I feel like that's what I do for a huge chunk of my life, so I prize it a lot.

[@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051]

This is what scares me. What's the point of being great at drawing from imagination if you have no imagination to draw from? Having no creativity?

[@thesleepypiggy]

@@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051 As in the video, its not they you have no ideas, it's just that you can't visualize it in your head. Granted I still don't know how you could create something new without smashing it in your head, even with references.

[@alyshabeery3582]

@@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051 I have aphantasia and have been called creative my whole life. It's imagination and creativity without the pictures.

[@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051]

@@alyshabeery3582 I didn't mean to demean people with aphantasia, I was actually referring to myself. I am scared that after all the practice and study and I eventually become competent at drawing, I would not have any ideas or anything I can make from my mind, like there is nothing going on in there you know? That is what is scary to me. Like am I not creative? Have I lost the ability to be creative when I stepped out of my childhood? Thoughts like those I guess

[@alyshabeery3582]

@@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051 I didn't take it as demeaning, but I'm sure you still have plenty of creativity. Just like he said in the video, you may have gotten in the habit of dismissing ideas before they have a chance to grow.

[@brendenfowler8654]

I have aphantasia, but when I am working I can sometimes see the objects I imagine with my eyes open, its like mental imaging, describing it in my brain helps me picture it, and knowing how to break down everything into basic shapes and slowly add up to make detailed images works wonders

[@joshuagiliomee6540]

So basically you can understand the concept and attributes of what you wanna imagine, but you can't see it right?

[@brendenfowler8654]

@joshuagiliomee6540 yeah, good way of putting it

[@GoodMorning-b2w]

thenyou don't havew aphantasia, you're higher on the spectrum

[@Teddy-Bayer]

I really appreciate this video! As another artist who has aphantasia, it’s nice to see others like me.

[@coltennial9513]

I don't have aphantasia, but it kinda blew my mind when first hearing about it. Like, you can't just imagine that thing in your head? It's just a strange concept, but I'm proud of anyone that doesn't let them stop them from creating art.

[@shookyology8681]

Same here

[@anaperaza3900]

@@coltennial9513 I always explain it as, I know or understand it but can’t see it. I know how something looks but I simply can’t visualize it in my head. I hope that wasn’t too confusing :0

[@coltennial9513]

@@anaperaza3900 no that makes sense! It's very interesting too. I find it funny that I tried to draw an apple today just from my head and I feel like I can visualize it, but the apple turned out so wonky haha

[@Arguing.With.Idiots.]

I don't have it but it's fun to explain how visualizing works. My go-to for explaining how it looks like to see in your mind's eye is like looking out at a car's window; that imagery where you can see both outside and inside (your reflection) of the window, each perspective overlaying one another, and that the clarity depends on which side you focus on.

[@EltinArt]

FINALLY, never thought I'd see this topic here, thanks

[@viviariza8316]

Draw a Box is by far the best REAL beginner drawing course on the web, the fact that so many teachers on youtube assume one already knows how to put down lines on the page is very frustrating when one is just starting and that´s exacly what Uncorfortable does way better than many others, teaching how to get somewhat decent lines and perspective before actually drawing.

[@Radgerayden-ist]

Agreed unfortunately I think a lot of people bail out at the idea of mechanical exercises

[@i5m5bob]

Draw a box is solely designed to make people quit art.

[@Cinerolo]

@@i5m5bob that's where you got it wrong, Draw a Box is not about "art" it's about a craft so if you were trying to get "artsy" by watching videos you were just in the wrong place but it's a fact that by following the suggested exercises is possible to improve line quality, understanding of perspective and the construction process of things that exist in "3d".

[@i5m5bob]

@@Cinerolo The way he teaches textures and lineweight is examples of "artsy" drawing. Take a perspective course instead of a bootleg Peter Han's dynamic sketching. DAB guy doesn't even apply what he teach in his own "art". Dude shouldn't be teaching.

[@Cinerolo]

@@i5m5bob hahahaha such low standards, so doing a texture study and the fact that one ought to be aware of the marks one puts down is now considered "artsy"? I see why you got frustrated, and he is teaching because he knows the subject which is more than enough reason to do it.

[@jaoartfolio4859]

22:13 "A big part of learning how to grow and improve is to accept that the things that we draw dont have to be impressive. Drawing things that looks like garbage is an inevitable part of the process and we all need to accept that and get comfortable with it. I want all of you to think about why exactly you are learning to draw, ask yourself why you are going into the trouble in the first place. "

[@braigbrothers]

I've recently found out that I have Aphantasia! As a Filmmaker and artist this struck me really hard. It really feels like you have a disability. After having some existencial crisis I've come to the conclusion that this might even help me to become a better artist. And now knowing that one of the greatest artists on the Internet has aphantasia makes me less worried about it. Thank you so much!

[@DR3W_TH3_ARTIST]

This is literally the first time I've ever watch a Proko video that literally got uploaded less than 5 minutes ago

[@yoyo6912]

yoooo same

[@incognito9812]

x3

[@Nick-mq6iq]

Me toooo

[@mateusborges745]

I must be dreaming, Drawabox and Proko in one video! Thats amazing!

[@Jade-fs9kh]

Thank you, I've been feeling so disheartened recently because of not being able to "imagine" anything to draw, and struggling constantly with what I thought was just art block, until I found out about aphantasia and it clicked. It also explains why my PTSD flashbacks are not visual in any way, they are only emotional and physical, and learning about aphantasia has helped me explain to my therapist about how it impacts me differently and I need different coping mechanisms. So helpful in so many ways to understand more about aphantasia.

[@reyonettajade]

As someone with aphantasia, who has struggled with art for basically his whole life, it's really nice to see how over the past month or so it's suddenly become a much more discussed and looked into subject.

[@Fr0stbite1801]

For literally all my life, I thought that when people say things like "picture this" or "imagine a X" they meant it more in a metaphorical sense. Probably why for the longest time I thought I'd never become an artist and then I swore off art for a decade. Ironically enough, I just found out that the 3 friends I know with aphantasia are all excellent artists. Blew my mind when they told me they also had aphantasia.

[@DennisCNolasco]

This proves there’s no excuse for getting good at art! Proper study and training consistently are the keys!

[@Uncomfortable]

Absolutely.

[@Uncomfortable]

I came across this comment again, and wanted to add one thing to my previous response - there may well not be any easy excuse, but I do think that we still owe ourselves the patience and understanding that we so often neglect to provide. The whole "work hard get good" mentality is great and all, but we first have to understand our circumstances, and accept that we are not necessarily attacking the problem with the same loadout as our neighbours.

[@drenamilton9425]

By that logic you must be an amazing artist Dennis :) since there is no excuse to not be.

[@wegner7036]

@@drenamilton9425 Judging by his KZbin channel, it would appear so.

[@sageyt4808]

Says a talented artist. Some people just can't do art to some others standerds.

[@Specklezz]

Amazing, I was hoping to see this topic covered more by fellow artists. I too have aphantasia, and I always have to draw from reference, I can't source anything from my own imagination. It blew my mind to find out some people can imagine things as clear and vividly in their mind.

[@Uncomfortable]

It all comes down to learning how to understand the images you're referencing. While it's true that throughout the demonstrations in this video I do use references aplenty, its more to discuss how to analyze them and break them down. This kind of exercise and process will help your brain remember the components that make up the things you study, helping to record the individual components and the way they interact in 3D space in your head, to be pulled upon later. Having reference at hand is *always* useful, but the more you do this sort of thing, the more free you will be to fill in the gaps where no reference is available - even if you can't picture those things specifically in your head.

[@Specklezz]

@@Uncomfortable That makes a lot of sense. I actually struggle a ton with the '3d believability' aspect when I draw. It's almost like my hand has trained to draw logos and icons of things rather than truly understanding the form and I get such flat drawings as a result. I have started drawing more wireframe things before adding my form lines which is helping, but its so good to hear what fellow aphantasia people do in this video, lots of food for thought, and practice!

[@Riku_nkmr]

I'm also today years old to find that my vague way of picturing things aren't how "visual" people see things in their mind. So i gotta reference to fill in details in my memory and have to keep going back and forth to the reference. Basically my visualization is like a 3d model program but textures and polygons are only on things being focused, peripheral things become gray and simplified or outright vanish.

[@Jusangen]

@@Uncomfortable I'm wondering myself, is aphantasia just the clear realization that, for whatever reason, you just weren't remembering things growing up and don't have them for reference as an adult artist? I'm pretty sure I have prosopagnosia which is facial blindness and it's basically where your brain doesn't keep details about peoples faces for some reason. You learn to remember people by their gait, the way they walk and stand. (This is only a bummer because I think I recognize people way more often than my wife or friends do and I'm sadly mistaken and make the person feel awkward). But maybe aphantasia works the same way. Anyways, thanks for bringing it up for us!

[@Uncomfortable]

@@Jusangen An interesting thought! I unfortunately don't know enough to weigh in one way or the other when it comes to aphantasia at large, but it's certainly an interesting angle to explore. I should mention that I actually had an extremely visual imagination when I was a child, to the point that it was somewhat disruptive to my life. It faded in my preteens though - due to puberty, one of a couple blows to the head, or something else. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that in learning to draw, I have learned to understand and remember details, features, etc. in non-visual ways. So what people will usually describe as a "visual library" is more of a spatial library to me (a collection of spatial relationships I recall), which allow me to still draw fairly successfully without reference. Reference is still of course an important tool to use, but I don't want people think that those with aphantasia can *only* work with reference.

[@Holyflare]

I also have aphantasia, it was really strange finding that out, I thought it was just normal!

[@Uncomfortable]

It blew my mind too. I thought I was screwed, but luckily I was in too deep to quit.

[@Holyflare]

@@Uncomfortable I spent a good few days questioning my friends and family, gradually becoming more and more perplexed. Then a lot of moments in my life made a lot more sense. I find, even with aphantasia, that I still visualise (in a unique way) that's totally in darkness but it's like a blueprint exists in my mind where all the technical specs exist. Find it helps a lot more, like you said in the video, knowing how something works in a space than visually seeing something (not that it's a replacement for reference photos). Also, thank you so much for all the content you provide! When I had the free time I was using drawabox and it was very good.

[@Uncomfortable]

@@Holyflare That sort of blueprint explanation is pretty similar to how I understand the things I imagine.

[@liviuemanuel82]

me 2 ... It's weird finding out. I am still thinking my wife is making fun of me when she is saying she can see images with her eyes closed... :)

[@TheSonicShoe]

so like... can you guys not even remember visual images? and how do dreams work if you're brain can't produce images? I only recently learned about this subject, and I think I have the inverse called hyperphantasia, because I actually have a recurring problem where I relive past memories, and even imagined scenes in such vivid clarity that it actually sometimes distracts me from my real life surroundings. how do you experience memories and dreams if not through sensory information? How do you remember what someone just said if you can't replay the sounds in your head? No pun intended, but I truly can't even begin to imagine what that must be like!

[@roebeanstalk]

YESSSS. Thank you so much for this. As someone with aphantasia it's super nice to see how other people approach this. It's easy to lose confidence and be scared - because the only people talking about this aren't...Usually talking about it in a productive way. This is so good. Thank youuuu! (also A+ segway into the squarespace promo lol)

[@Uncomfortable]

When I was talking to Proko about the idea for this video, he asked me if I'd been able to train my brain to visualize things better - that's something I've seen mentioned in a few aphantasia videos as well. Funnily enough, it was never even something I considered, and I still just kind of shrug my shoulders at the idea. These days I'm perfectly okay with not being able to see things in my head - at least from an artist's standpoint. Might still be nice to do something like that when reading books... but oh well!

[@ghost.patrols]

Wow, as an aspiring artist with aphantasia I never thought I’d hear someone else talking about this. This is amazing ❤️

[@TheYASQueen93]

This is so important to me. I’ve been pursuing an art career and education for years now, and all this time I’ve felt like I was just wasting my time because I wasn’t “creative” or I was “unimaginative”. Finding out that there’s a reason for it and more importantly that I’m not just screwed for being an artist is just amazingly relieving for me. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@klausd.6285]

Thankyou for doing this! So many people in the art community consistently say “draw from your imagination” when there are plenty of people who can’t do that. I have complete Aphantasia. I can’t see, hear, feel, taste, or recall emotions at all and smell is on there too, but I can’t smell anything to begin with. It gets really frustrating when people just tell you “just draw from your imagination” when you literally can’t and it causes me to quit so many times. I was shocked when my partner said they could see with their minds eye and I looked at them like they were insane. I thought for years it was a figure of speech and to find out people could actually see images with their eyes closed blew me away.

[@MysteryGrey]

For those of us who can smell everything....please take a shower!!

[@serenegeneration]

Trying to describe how I see is weird. I have complete aphantasia. No black and white. No nothing. I can not imagine mentally. But in art. In writing. Everything. It is like instinct. I know exactly what I want to create without a image. I just. Know. Its so bizarre.

[@TheSnowfarmer]

Wow. I just started learning on DrawABox, got frustrated, did a search to see if it was pointless to learn to draw if you have aphantasia, and found this video. Amazing! You're an inspiration.

[@Dundereshock]

"Don't wait for that sense that you're finally ready to draw the things that you're passionate about-that feeling will not fall into your lap-you have to go out and hunt it down yourself."

[@Scubadog_]

Honestly, I wish I had found this video way sooner because by now I've come to most of these realizations through a very draining and seemingly hopeless process in art school. They have this sort of impression that everyone comes from an earlier background of art and most of these things like visualizing things as 3D forms and ways to generate ideas are taken for granted. This leads to entire years of whole departments failing and resenting drawing because the professors assume we have a solid understanding of core concepts already. It took me over two years to realize that you can draw things by imagining them as 3D objects on a 2D page, rather than blindly trying to copy the outlines from work and hoping they make up a form in the process. Once I realized it, there was a noticeable and rapid improvement in my drawing ability. Prior to that, it was largely them just getting frustrated that I drew the eye too high or too low or that an angle of a line was wrong, rather than seeing the bigger issue of me not understanding how visualizing things and drawing works in general. So the past few years has been a horribly stressful and frustrating time, but in the process, I managed to come to the realization of these concepts (albeit maybe in slightly different ways) and this video serves as very welcome reassurance that I'm not alone and perhaps stand a chance at more than just scraping by with a barely passing grade.

[@tacticslc4805]

This way of doing things is very beginner friendly because you don't talk about some magical "creativity/ imagination", from the outside point of view every artist seems to do that this way, but here, everything is made 100% from the amount of effort put into research, drawing references and trying ideas/ solving design problems ! With this method I feel like with enough time and effort put into it, everyone can learn to draw and enjoy it :)

[@mattbrennan9421]

Thankyou for spotlighting other artists who have just as much to teach Stan

[@tatumfowler8362]

This video came at such a wonderful time for me. I have absolutely 0 ability to mentally visualize things, which frustrated me a lot as a kid when I was first getting into art. Now that I'm in school working towards a career in concept art it's been even more frustrating. I was feeling really unmotivated after struggling with a composition assignment to such a degree that I was near tears at some point, lol. Thank you so much for making this video, it's helped get my motivation back and given me some things to put into action going forward!

[@Uncomfortable]

I'm glad I could swoop in at such an opportune time!

[@flobernoggin]

I'm an aphant artist. Excited to see more info out on it and how it doesn't have to hold you back.

[@Uncomfortable]

Missed opportunity to refer to yourself as "aphantastic"! But yeah - as closely tied as it seems to the ability to draw the things you imagine, I've found that it's not about the ability to *see* the things you imagine. It's your ability to understand them that matters. And hell, sometimes clearing out the visual distractions can even be advantageous.

[@flobernoggin]

@@Uncomfortable That describes it perfectly. Takes a few hundred sketches to figure out WHY the lines go where they do. It's still uncomfortable for me to diverge from my reference pictures but i can figure it out.

[@damianogiolitti3416]

@@flobernoggin How does it feel to have aphantasia? If I conciously try to imagine something I can't, however random fuzzy images pop in and out of my head just like thoughts but as soon as i focus on something it fades away.

[@flobernoggin]

@@damianogiolitti3416 Honestly, i don't feel any different from before i discovered i had it. If i close my eyes all i can see is black but i'm still able to conceptualize how things work. I don't feel handicapped in any way. It feels more like a reminder that people experience things differently. Kind of how art can evoke different emotions to different people.

[@Clouds23x]

@@flobernoggin It's simply hard work, study, analyze, practice, memory. Aphantasis is just an excuse for being lazy.

[@marleymomo9582]

I never felt more motivated to start drawing ever till now in my life. It's been 5 years since I have drawn last. Now I will start again.👍

[@frugal10191]

I only discovered that aphantasia was a thing and that I had it a month ago after a conversation with my kids when I was surprised that they could "see" things in thier mind. I had always assumed that no one did because I dont. This video is really usefull to me after failing at art classes at school by not being able to "draw what you see"

[@junjunjamore7735]

I don't have aphantasia and I can't draw.

[@MarvinMakesArt]

@@junjunjamore7735 I have aphantasia and Can draw. Can we swap abilities please?

[@immortalgraveyard2099]

And here we came to the point, that you need to find your own material for sketching, as it's critically important for your comfort and quality. What do I mean: I have aphantasia as well, so I can't imagine anything on the paper and sketching with permanent materials is a nightmare for me - I have to draw gesture and construction, I have to try something on paper so I can see what is wrong and what I should shift or scale, so the best sketching material for me is pencil. I am very relaxed and confident while using pencil, because I know I can fix stuff later.

[@gwendolynhunt2075]

As an artist with Aphantasia, I really appreciate this! Thank you!

[@candydreamer5587]

to be honest I see it as a gift. when the creativity is not flowing it can be tough but when it is flowing I'm so free in creating. because I don't have a picture in my head I can let my creativity take me where it wants to and the pieces I paint are changing constantly. for this I had to learn to let loose and paint without pressure though (which still can be challenging). for artists with aphantasia I really recommend just starting a piece without thinking of what it should become and using references in the sense of not copying it 1:1 but letting it inspire you. and meditate before painting! much love

[@coltennial9513]

I've been completing his lessons and I love them! I've been improving so much and my line work is clean because of them. Thank you so much uncomfortable! You deserve the recognition.

[@Uncomfortable]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying the lessons, and even moreso that they're helping.

[@Indoctrine]

I've got hyperphantasia and can see vivid pictures in my head, reading a book is like watching a movie, and I think this helped me understand a bit better what it's like not to have that - even though I've seen Uncomfortable explain it at least once a week on the Drawabox Discord for the past 3 years. 😁

[@Uncomfortable]

Hahaha, it's a very popular topic :P

[@grayovercast]

I'm glad you mentioned drawing everything you have a concept for whether we think it's good or not. You perfectly described the mindset difficulties we all have even if we don't have aphantasia. I'm going to strive to do more of that. Thank you!

[@cookies4712]

HOLY DRAWABOX AND PROKO???? I NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME

[@navergirl7797]

Me too!

[@jonuhh_]

Poo bu uhb up Julio go F78 F78 F78 Y9xKAtbaFA8 hi Y9xKAtbaFA8 Univision y go 9 H87TP

[@minaly22]

Thanks for talking about this. I am having trouble with Aphantasia, and it heavily affects my short term memory, not just for art. I literally can't repeat what someone said to me a few moments ago, but I can make 'summary' of the things they say. This doesn't help much though, especially since my skill set leans toward translation, and lucrative jobs related to translations are usually interpreters - and I feel so discouraged when I can't remember things word for word.

[@Kate1427]

As someone with Aphantasia I would strongly disagree with the title of this video. We have wonderful imaginations. Our brain uses a different form, more so conceptually, instead of having a mind's eye of pictures.. My Aphantasia is only limited to while awake, my dreams however are in vivid movie images including sound, more striking than while awake.

[@Soco_oh]

Our imagination and creativity is the glue that binds the bits of reality we've chosen to reorganize to suit our purpose...

[@coach_balakshina204]

And I also visualize straight on paper , actually all my explanations start with “let me draw it for you!” And I went through 5 years of art school and two different fashion design colleges with flying colors:) and when I told my family I have blind mind, they couldn’t believe me, BECAUSE I went through art school and design colleges!!! And because I am constantly reading something!!!

[@claudio_niman]

This is really encouraging! I've recently discovered I have aphantasia and it somewhat affected my confidence in my art career. I'm not very experienced, but I'm always trying to improve and learn, but learning about aphantasia made me think I had a lower skill ceiling than every other artist that hasn't it. Knowing that such a knowledgeable and skilled person like Irshad also has aphantasia is certainly reassuring. Now I know there is no lower skill ceiling, just a different approach in life and in art. :)

[@bradyhem]

I was starting to lose hope that I would ever be good at drawing once I found out I had aphantasia, videos like this make me very hopeful. I'm trying to keep it slow and draw simple things rather than go crazy like I did last time because I quit after a few days. I'm just worried that it won't ever become enjoyable. Thanks for explaining this stuff since I can't really understand how art works just yet.

[@astrol4b]

I can visualize but without details and confused, like a dream very confusing, especially when I try to recall faces.

[@Uncomfortable]

Definitely sounds like you're closer to the aphantasia end of the spectrum - but there is definitely a range.

[@astrol4b]

@@Uncomfortable I don't know, I can do a self portrait from memory, but not any other people. Because when I have to put things on paper they are confused.

[@yamataichul]

I don't remember faces, yet I do remember places such as nature and rooms pretty clear yet with time I begun to not remember well enough aspects of it, especially from my distant memories. For some reason they become as simplified as a 2D drawing, like my brain makes a cartoon render out of it.

[@Clouds23x]

That's how everyone see things in their mind. No one can draw anyone's face without study and practice because it's not an easy thing to do. Some are just better at remembering what they seen. People saying that they can imagine someone's face clearly as a picture are most likely lying.

[@overpoweredsandvich9732]

@@Clouds23x yeah the brain can't imagine a literally perfect image

[@josiahsaunders2660]

This information is like art gold. Feeling stuck for the longest time and now I have discovered an answer to my questions. I am very much grateful.

[@libby2162]

i do want to mention for anyone who feels like, "this is me!" that not automatically creating visual imagery when you read or listen to stories can be indicative of a language disorder - if you feel like you never create mental imagery and have trouble following directions or conversations, or have trouble getting the "main idea" or "gist" of a paragraph or so of information, or just struggle to understand complex concepts despite a lot of effort, contact a speech-language pathologist! there are actually structured and evidenced-based programs to develop mental imaging abilities if it is impacting you in learning/understanding. not creating any mental images is not necessarily an inherent/unchangeable trait.

[@marleymomo9582]

Man, u are an art philanthropist.. u are sort of person, who is few in a million. Thankx for the inspiration bro..👍

[@tylerkulig6028]

I write and draw comics and I never knew what anphantasia was until today was and my whole life has been flipped upside down for the past 10 minutes. It sounds like the minds eye is a super power everyone else has but me. Literally I thought the minds eye was a metaphor.

[@emmaflores7463]

I used to have a vivid imagination and I blame the loss on my depression, specifically a year where it was extremely bad as a teen. Before I used to read all the time and draw really well. During that year I almost completely stoped doing art and I lost the spark I had for art since I was a kid. Ive been trying to get it back for at least 5 years now 😭

[@BigDomski]

Oh wow, I never knew Uncomfortable has this 😳 his artwork is amazing and most importantly, he made Drawabox...

[@paolo9940]

Gotta love what Unconfortable is doing with Drawabox

[@baliorne]

This, makes a lot more sense to me than I thought, all my best drawings come out good when I've got lots of references, but I could never seem to pull similar quality images out of my head

[@meshiru3525]

Irshad is a master, he's amazing, his course helped me soooooo much D:

[@Uncomfortable]

lol, if I were any such thing, I wouldn't be continually learning about the stuff I teach by critiquing peoples' work, and revising my content every few years! But I'm glad the lessons have helped you!

[@sugarplum9017]

This guy just keeps calling me out. I used to have insanely detailed visualization but severe depression has all but killed it. I can still see, but it's fragmented and exhausting to keep up. This video made me realize that I've been using my difficulty imagining as an excuse for why I "can't draw" anymore. Well screw that. Brb gonna go try to paint now....

[@ashleyboots3386]

I've returned to this video after making The Breakthrough with my art - being able to "read" the forms I'm trying to create with my lines. I have complete aphantasia. The inside of my head is a dark silent void, always. I have no memories of ever being able to visualize things. I also have CPTSD from horrific childhood trauma. Pursuing drawing, despite the inability to visualize, has been a lifelong struggle. (For reference, I'm almost 50 years old.) As my mental health has improved after years of intensive therapy, I've finally, **finally**, been able to work out how this brain handles recognizing what negative space and incomplete forms suggest as I draw. I've learned **how** to draw, the mechanism and mechanics of how to best approach creating shapes in space. This took, oh, decades. I truly believe that therapy, and working on mitigating my issues with amnesia and lack of experiential memory, opened the door for me to make this breakthrough. So, for anyone out there who has struggled with drawing while having aphantasia, take heart! Drawing is an achievable goal, even for those of us who can't visualize.

[@zenmindstate110]

I learned about my condition a few years ago when studies first started coming out. But most people don’t even know they have Aphantasia till they learn about it. So hopefully more research will be done and more share information. Great video btw. I always struggled with art having Aphantasia. Without being able to imagine I would basically copy others artwork and draw my own take of it. But coming up with original characters or scenes without a reference image is just impossible for me.

[@beowulf2772]

Now I realise why I love picture books so much. I mean pictures in general.

[@sarahfinnigan7002]

I’m a working artist with aphantasia, and this is almost precisely how I am able to make art! I’ve talked to several other artists who also don’t visualize, and everyone has been different in how they store their memory and translate it back out onto paper. Cool to find someone else who retains it as spatial relationships!

[@paperbag9235]

i love uncofortable he is amazing for his free classes and teaching us the fundementals hope he knows how much he is appriciated

[@burntt999]

This must be why I like dreaming so much cuz now since I’ve started meditating I have a lot more lucid dreams where I’m literally picking up objects in my sleep and looking at them thinking “I’m sleeping right now…. This is awesome!!”

[@3dness449]

First time I heard about Aphantasia. This video helps me to understand what happens when something doesn't pop into my mind. I had a professor that always aks us to draw something and bring the reference or he didn't accept it. He said, "good artists are as good as the reference."

[@3.14name]

this went from anybody can do it to I d like to see you try drawing like this in a blink if a second. This is mad talent to be able to process 3d objects like this and at its core it s still talent that requires a gifted mind

[@scottlemien5964]

Thank you for featuring this creator. Love this guy.

[@pgtm311]

This was actually quite interesting and helpful for me! I don't have aphantasia, I can see the things I imagine, but they're quite distortioned/misshaped all the time. I barely can think whenever I draw so instead of thinking I just let my hand do the strokes it feels familiar with, which is fun because I never know what the results will be! I always saw drawing as a way of creating rather than translating thoughts since I'm little. Despite practicing, using references and trying to understand space and structure I can't draw realistic at all, ending up with things that my own hand creates most of the time rather than my imagination. When I heard about aphantasia for the first time I wondered if people with it wouldn't be able to draw, but It's nice to see how drawing is the way some people use to give imagery to their mind and not just move it into canvas. I always wondered if other people had a hard time thinking while drawing and how they dealt with it.

[@fern-v9s]

I thought I had aphantasia too when I first learned about it, it made so much sense. But I don't know if it's something that can get better with practice or what, but the more I practiced visualizing and drawing from memory, the better it became. I'm not saying this is possible for everyone with aphantasia, but it's worth a try!

[@Uncomfortable]

I have definitely heard a few people talk about potentially training their visualization skills, but I didn't end up going down that path, simply because I found that I didn't need to rely on visualization to achieve what I strove for.

[@fern-v9s]

@@Uncomfortable For sure, I made my comment in case there were people who felt like they wanted to do it, but felt like it might not be possible. Actually, what helped me visualize better was doing Drawabox, hahah.

[@blackcitadel9]

I believe it depends on the degree of Aphantasia. For me it's near total, the mental space is completely black, with the barest hint of an outline. Images only appear when tired or asleep. If I were to train my visualisation skills, it might make outline sharper, but I don't think it would clear the mental "darkness", actually I think it would probably make my dreams more vivid. XD Someone with less severe Aphantasia might get more out of it however.

[@Aljobritt]

I only became aware at 70 yrs old that there was a name for me seeing BLACK space. It was like having a dark hole in my soul growing up.

[@thoracis]

Finally! I’ve been looking for videos about aphantasia. Thank you for making this video. I will now be able to better communicate my affliction. I have to say that the way you think is exactly how I think. But somehow, I figured this out on my own. I’m not sure how. I know that the way I draw is the same as my life philosophies. I’m quite happy to see the way I work with my aphantasia is approved by an established artist. Thinking about 3d objects in an abstract way is 100% accurate to how I work. Honestly, I never knew I had aphantasia. It was never a detriment. I think I grew up just unknowingly working with it. It’s made me a better artist, as well as a better person. I can’t thank you enough for making this video. Cheers!

[@didi1406]

I love seeing my teacher on here! Draw a Box is truly the best drawing fundamentals course EVER

[@serikosartcorner8597]

I had never heard of aphantasia before. I can't imagine what that's like because I'm visualizing stuff in my mind all the time. It's just not easy to put what I have in my mind on paper or on the screen. Great job of creating a strategy to draw cool and original things despite having aphantasia - and not just for people with aphantasia but also for people like me, because as Uncomfortable said, I think it can help anyone to come up with cool designs.

[@lenamaxphoto]

I saved this for my daughter, a really fantastic artist with Aphantasia. I do not know how she does it, only that she does. Aphantasics tend to draw sequences, something that other artists have to be taught to do. I've watched her school herself, by doing countless iterations of a character, turning one character into another, etc. Also, some very famous artists are Aphantasics: The lead illustrator, responsible for character creation in Disney's "Little Mermaid" for Ariel herself... and one of the founders of Pixar, just to name two.

[@piratehalfdroid7370]

All this time, I thought I was just so uncreative and terrible.. turns out it's a real thing.. I feel validated

[@ChelissaMoon]

I have this too! I don’t see. I “feel” the outline of the shape. I can feel and hear in my head. Occasionally, I get a half second shadow or a general blip of color. Everything feels like the act I’ve the shape. Similar to actually closing my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@RadishTheFool]

This was such an amazing video for me. I don't think visually or auditorily, and like you described I was shocked to learn that to most people their mind's eye and inner voice aren't actually just matters of speech. However, to me it doesn't feel like a disorder, just a different way of thinking. So I wouldn't say I have aphantasia. It does affect my ability to create art (which I only discovered in my 40s), but I have learned from watching sketchbook sessions on youtube to just visualize on the paper. I do a lot of iterating: noticing what looks off, and then fixing that in the next sketch. And yes, lots of references. From this video I can tell that there is a lot more you can teach me, so I will definitely check out your website. Thank you so much!

[@mrfellah]

Nothing quite like seing two of your favorite teachers in the same video! As a student of DrawABox I am very happy on behalf of the community that DrawABox is given this publicity through Proko!

[@timmcdraw7568]

I love this so much! I am a painter, it’s how I make my living. A figurative painter! I am doing ok for myself in the Art World in New York and now LA. One of the things that’s really worked in my favor, not necessarily in the Art World, I mean yes there but who cares, but worked in favor of my paintings, keeping me from being corrupted by the fads and desires of the Art World and the Art Market (I capitalize them simply to identify which things I mean, not because I revere them). I have resisted letting my paintings become stylized, but I didn’t have to resist terribly hard, because when I approach a canvas I have LITERALLY no idea what I’m going to paint and I have no way of trying to imagine it. I can desire I want to make a painting concerning this or that subject matter, but once the brush starts going, I am taken almost completely by surprise. I have a final say at every turn, like if my brush starts painting something awful I can scrap it. But every time a figure emerges I meet them for the first time as though they just turned a corner and appeared in front of me. Once the painting is decided by line work on the canvas from some mysterious part of me, my experiences, my internal conversation, and my visual prompts and references, i get to work doing everything you talked about. I go over it and over it and over it, giving weight where there is none, contact where they’re touching, pull out expressions on faces not by imagining how they appear but by following the prompts of the brushwork. I have a weird combo of things: I can’t visualize in my mind, but I see faces, sometimes full figures, real, articulated, sometimes animated, often cartoonishly weird figures with my literal eyes, in the brush work of my paintings, other people’s paintings, wooden doors, marble countertops clouds. Not delusions, it’s like I’ve spent too much time building up the strength of the Seeing muscles in my brain and now it can’t stop seeing. There have even been moments when… ok for example I was painting a man’s body with no reference, and my mind literally projected onto the canvas, onto his body, every single muscle, bulge and dip. He was nude, and while I was totally unable to visualize anything and hadn’t cared whether or not he had accurate muscles or anything, I was shocked to see them all laid out over him, in lines constructed in very faint light, meticulously detailed. I felt like I had to trace them just to compare them to reality later, to see if these were in fact accurate. I simply traced my visual projection, and as I went it got more and more retailed, w shading, muscles under the muscles, i had to go over several times before I drew the line. My brain knew, KNEW every single muscle from his feet to his head. How I knew them is beyond me. I’m not a man and I’m gay. There aren’t like a hundred naked men in my 40 year life, or… even 5 haha. I dont have a classical art education. It’s like my brain can’t decide: on one hand I can’t imagine images, but on the other hand I will basically hallucinate images (just visual) but I have no control over it. Like I can’t conjure up an accurate hallucination or even an inaccurate one. But … it inevitably shows up, maybe as a weird face constructed of the bushes in a landscape (useless) or I can see the features of the fictional person in the painting as though they were truly real people (useful) but it’s just as likely to make faces appear in the folds of said person’s shirt (really??), like my brain doesn’t tale my job as seriously as I’d like it to.

[@timmcdraw7568]

Note: I’m not suggesting I magically knew the muscles, like it was spooky. I’m saying that my brain, unable to visualize w imagination, was still looking and storing, down to the last detail. I’m proud of my brain! Which is apparently an entity almost wholly independent of my central command team.

[@xuanxh]

The part at 4:20 is very important for me. I am closer to hyperphantasia, and sometimes get extremely frustrated when I cannot create what I visualize to the perfection. What I conjure up in my mind will always be better than what I can create, I keep comparing myself not only to other artists, but to what I failed to created but succeeded at imagining: that's a good shortcut to burnout and demotivation! So I need to close my mind's eye, and think about using proper techniques and fundamentals even more!

[@Jusangen]

With that, do you kind of just see it on the page and then trace what your mind is projecting so-to-speak? Things in my mind are so etherial that I don't even really think when I draw lol.

[@xuanxh]

@@Jusangen No, I can't. As vivid the images in my mind might be, they're probably closer to symbols than proper objects. I don't know if I'm making sense, but I can't draw what I "see" in my mind: at best I can get 50% there.

[@Jusangen]

@@xuanxh I gotcha. Well, best of luck in your pursuits! I'm still working my way through Drawabox's program, but I'm having fun.

[@xuanxh]

@@Jusangen Thanks, and same to you: drawabox seems to be a very good program!

[@violetplacencia9916]

I've been in a state of art block lately, but this video was very relieveing to watch. After watching this, I was a lot more enthusiastic while drawing :D Thank you for the video, I hope everyone receives the credit they deserve!

[@josefco.caceres991]

I have that problem but only with faces. I can't imagine the characters faces (and voices) when I read a book, only the body, clothes and hair. Great video, and great work with Drawabox

[@junjunjamore7735]

I heard that humans can't visualize new faces, only visualize faces they've seen before, even if it's a stranger you've seen a few seconds before.

[@brendenfowler8654]

I think I get why people don't like to draw or get so frustrated easily if they don't have aphantasia, if your able to see something in your brain and the image you draw doesn't turn out the same I'm sure it's disappointing, people always say it's not how they imagined and I always wondered what they meant, now I get it.

[@paisleyt500]

This

[@Zeekar]

The thing that confuses me about the conversation around imagination (aphantasia?) Is that we can't even come to terms (can't define what we're referring to) so all arguments, anecdotes and comparisons end up going nowhere. I can imagine objects and can imagine them animating, but I don't actually see them per-se. Yet, I also can. I can sometimes close my eyes and literally see simple shapes moving around and have some degree of control over their movements. More trippy, when I'm closest to a sleeping state, I can literally see full color photorealistic things that seem real. But that is all entirely useless from a practical sense. I can't try to almost be asleep when drawing or otherwise attempt to literally see what I want to draw in my head...I don't have to. I can just imagine it. See how confusing this sounds? There are at least two things going on with human perception and imagination. Some people seem to be describing waking dreams (visual hallucinations). These are definitely real, so I'm willing to believe some people are able to have the ability to hallucinate on command when their eyes are closed, but I can never really be sure if that's what people are talking about.

[@tegathemenace]

It is. Even the ability to imagine a whole other scene with my eyes fully open. We can picture you naked too.☠️ Think of it like you standing outside your house and you have an xray that shows the inside of your room(based on memory) It also comes with an audio imagination. Yup that part of movies where the person's thoughts are voiced so we can hear them aloud, but he isn't saying anything irl. The voice is much clearer than the pictures tho. But it's not one perceived by the eardrums(easy to confuse it with actually hearing voices) The background voicing is there most of our lives. Even as I read and type this.

[@jackwithahat8601]

Yeah, my boy Uncomfortable!

[@kaponautas]

Now THIS is a sick collab

[@TrautenberkXXX]

Never would have guessed Uncomfortable has aphantasia. Great video, good to see Drawabox on this channel - Proko and Uncomfortable are my main teachers. Thanks.

[@emanmodnar2]

Was directed here via a general discussion of Aphantasia. Had a good time watching this video and the breakdown on how to train the brain into reflexive strokes, super interesting. Nice advances from 'The Big Yellow Book' that I had as a kid.

[@jaearnell]

Also an artist with aphantasia! I hadn't heard of DrawBox before, but after this video I will certainly be checking it out. Really happy you highlighted aphanatasia on your channel to get the word further out there :)

[@reddwarfff]

Sounds to me that there are two primary elements for getting better: Understanding, and challenge. More challenge can lead to better understanding, because it would allow you to gain or correct knowledge to get over the challenge. More understanding allows you to identify any flaws, which creates more challenge as you aim to improve them. Without one to hold the other, improvement might be less notable.

[@labaccident2010]

Huh. I remember things in images, but can’t visualize. Hmmm.... Perhaps this is why I’ve taken to using shapes as bases rather than just drawing the things like everyone else I know. This video resonates with me immensely.

[@Animbating]

I clicked because I've recently discovered I have Aphantasia as an artist and I just wanted to say this video was incredibly helpful, educational, inspiring and VERY entertaining! I was laughing so hard at all the choices you were making while conceptualizing the discount store gryphon. So glad to have found your channel!

[@Jusangen]

Hi there! What are some insights you have discovered? I just heard about this and am now really curious.

[@Animbating]

@@Jusangen There's two main things about my personal experience that has been really eye-opening. Having recently been diagnosed with adult ADHD, my focus relies on my level of interest, and the 'mental image' only happens (like I think it does for others) when I'm resonating deeply with the topic. The other thing is that it explains why I'm so driven to craft/create physical things or a serial hobbiest. When I have visceral ideas I want to make them physical so I can enjoy them.

[@Jusangen]

@@Animbating Ah, I see! Same with the ADHD thing, recently found out WHY I have so many hobbies lol. So weird right!? But that's interesting about how it has to be something that's stimulating to you in order to conjure a mental image. I appreciate your honest share and yes, I feel the same way when I hear a song I like, I have to find the sheet music and play it.

[@Stephen-T-Clark]

Once for an illustration class homework assignment where we were given the task of drawing some animals of our choice from photo reference, I found a really interesting photo of a lynx cat in a blizzard. His fur was all poofed out and the way he was hunkering forward against the snow and wind drew my attention, and as a result, I didn't watch my proportions very carefully. He came out looking convincingly real, but his bulk (emphasized by the poofy fur) made him look like a buffalo. When I showed my teacher (who was really a good sport about everything) he immediately started laughing and said, "I love it! It's a buffa-lynx!" It was a very fond memory of art school. Sadly, he passed away a few years back from health complications. RIP Hugh, you are missed.

[@Uncomfortable]

That teacher sounds fantastic. It's a shame he's passed on.

[@savannahlevy97]

Aphantasia is terrifying to me. I rely on my imagination entirely to draw, I can't imagine ever not being able to visualize anything. But I guess its like blindness, its not scary if you're used to it and there are always ways to work around it

[@faucetpower1208]

How is it looked like in ur imagination? Can you really imagine it clear enough to understand it and see its composition? Bcs, all i see is... just like a blurry figure. Even if you give me one person in front of me, i can't pictured it clear in my head, nt even his/her figure.

[@meganlane9549]

I have it. It makes it super hard for my brain to conjure dreams when I sleep. The pros of this is NO NIGHTMARES! ☺️

[@faucetpower1208]

I do searching a lot recently just after i found out about this cases. Well, you know. I always thought that every people being the same as me, that's being said that imagination/visualisation is only in the form of vague, ambiguation shapes. Just did i realize that i'm so much different than the most. I think, i can imagine, yes. But the exact proposition or shapes can't be taken in clear image. It just in the form of an outline, and whenever i try to preach or look over the detail, its shape, proposition, etc, is gone, it's dispersing. All i know is that i can imagine it, but not in the form of an imagery visualisation.

[@tegathemenace]

@@faucetpower1208 2 years later and it's found that only about 50% of people have that inner filmplay. (Also it's not as vivid as you think). My question is do you have an internal monologue?

[@faucetpower1208]

@@tegathemenace u mean, like talking to your self? When i was alone, i always started pondering things, quetioning myself about most things, tho it's not always yield the answer am seeking, i just let it be like that(i do think that it's because i lacked knowledge in many aspects so that i can't answer my own question, all is left is a big question mark for most of things and would be forgotten eventually) 😅

[@yulnikita]

Oh so I've had this all my life. I can't vote visualize anything except when I'm dreaming. They didn't have a name for this when I was growing up so I'm glad I can finally match condition with name.

[@Kiwikick238]

I have to actively turn on my imagination. Like if someone says picture yourself walking through a field of lollipops I won’t see anything I’m just aware of the setting. But if they say describe what you see then I’ll start to picture things

[@INAVACL]

i see things vividly in my mind. in my dreams too, i can see petals of roses, the intricacy and screws of lamp posts, etc

[@MrYulienskate]

BRUHHH Uncomfortable!! I stayed on lesson 4 of drawabox, I've meant to come back when I feel I'm going weak on 3D drawing, this course has been a huge help for real

[@johnaquino7619]

So - Gist of the video seems to be: . Even if drawing well from imagination doesn't come easily to you, identify the basic components of performing that task and then build your ability to do those things as deliberate skills, rather than thinking they should just happen for us if they're going to happen at all. . Neat. :-)

[@ReliabilityZero]

I'm like in my mid 20s and only recently found out that I had it too. Hit me like a train and i was a wreck for weeks until I found this video, and start to feel less in the depths about wanting to draw. Still hurts to know that I cannot and would probably never be able to visually remember how any of my loved ones look like, or visualize scenes in a book the way others do. Wondering how long Uncomfortable, or any other artists had known about this about themselves and how it's been before and after the realization.

[@SirusStarTV]

Without aphantasia you can imagine a lot of stuff, but you need to really know every part of object you imagined try to draw it correctly. I can imagine a photo of house, realistic people, a chair but I can't just look at a paper and trace over what i imagined. We see objects everyday but we can only describe their overall characteristics like color, basic shape, how many parts they have (it's easy if they have a little). I have wild imagination when I'm sleepy, when i see a cool character i could never draw it like i think i imagined it.