Exploring Neurographic Art

Since I started painting, I’ve been having fun exploring different styles (much like I do when writing). I’m a fan of so many different movements – impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism, surrealism, pop art – and I love letting the influence of these artists slip into my own work. Most recently, I’ve been exploring neurographic art and it’s become my favorite way to create.

Neurographic art is a form of art therapy used by psychologists. However, it’s also something one can do on their own. From what I’ve discovered, there are various schools of thought concerning the specifics of how it should be done. One piece I read said there shouldn’t be any intention behind what lines you draw. If you begin to think about what you’re doing or where the pen or brush is leading, then immediately change direction. 

Of course, the alternative suggestions state that you can draw whatever you desire, let your emotions or state of mind dictate what ends up on the page. The point is to let go of what’s inside you.

The one consensus was that wherever the lines meet, the intersection should be thickened and made bold. In my mind, it makes them look like connected synapses, which is appropriate since this is a psychological experiment.

I’ve completed several pieces in this style over the past few weeks using different mediums. The first one I did was with acrylic paints. I added some luminescent paint to it to help some of the colors pop. I was happy with the result. And, apparently, so was my partner. She requested that I hang it in our bedroom. I’ll consider that a success. 

I then decided to try creating a few with acrylic pens and colored pencils, just to experiment with different mediums. For one, I drew the initial lines with my left hand, which is my non-dominate appendage and made a point of not looking  as the pen made its way across the page. I’d look to set it down at one edge, then look away and think about something else while my hand scribbled. I also added a few random circles and lines away from the edges, just to mix things up. I then colored it in with acrylic paint pens.

The design turned out interesting.  I think of it as an unconscious work of art. 

The next one I paid more attention to when I scribbled the lines, but I still tried to allow myself some freedom to let the pen go where it wanted. I didn’t have an initial image in mind to start with, so it’s still a bit of an improv piece. This one I finished with colored pencils. Another experiment that turned out better than I expected. But then, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started. 

The initial painted canvas took a few hours over a day to complete. I had to let some of the paint dry a bit before adding other layers and touches. The acrylic pen and colored pencil pieces were completed in one sitting as I reclined comfortably on the couch while listening to some background music. 

And after all this, how do I feel? 

I’ll admit that I found the process – from start to finish – cathartic. It’s not like sitting with a therapist for an hour or writing a few pages in my journal, but when I finished a piece I felt better. My head felt clearer, my mood was good, and there was a smile on my face. 

So, my opinion is that neurographic art is therapeutic. At least, it has been for me. It’s something I’m going to include in my artistic endeavors, although it’s not going to be something I do all the time. I have too many other projects to work on and things I want to try. But when I have some downtime at the end of the day, I’ll pick up my sketchpad, doodle some lines, and see what I come up with. 

If you give it a try, please let me know how it turns out for you.

RB