The Artist’s Magazine – October 2019

ArtistsNetwork.com 37

PAREIDOLIA BEFORES AND AFTERS

On this and the following pages are some reference photos of things I saw when
I was hiking—and what I created from the imagery once I was back in the studio.

MAKING

PAREIDOLIA

WORK FOR YOU

1. Turn the photo or sketch and look at it from
   different angles. One image or subject can have
   more than one pareidolia image.


2. Zoom in and out and turn the image if it’s
   in a digital format. If it’s a physical photo, look
   at it from both far away and up close.


3. Keep in mind that the image can look
   however you want—in any style. It can be
   amorphous, or maybe you just like a certain
   shape that you want to emphasize. It can be
   a weird fantasy creature or an everyday object.
   It just has to make sense to you.


4. Try using different media to translate the
   image you see.


5. Ask a friend what they see in the image.
   It can start a fun conversation.


6. Embrace the texture of the existing image
   or use the shape as a guide.


7. Crumple up what you’re looking at (if it’s
   on paper) and use that ball of paper as a
   pareidolia object.

The Photo What I Saw

What I Drew ... A Wooden Horse