Are Mental Models for Artists?

Yes! Mental models—those powerful thinking frameworks used by top performers in business, academia, investment titans and science legends. Over the past few years I have been reading and thinking about them and on occasion I have wondered if their utility could be transferable to the life of a painter!?!?

I always thought ideas like those presented in some the the seminal art related books were mental models at their core -- and they are...

Ideas like the design stems presented in Edgar Payne's "Composition of Outdoor Painting," John Carlson's thoughts on Angles and Consequent Values in "Carlson's Guide to Outdoor Painting," and the Ball and Plane method described in "Drawing the Head & Hands" by Andrew Loomis. These are all mental models in their own right, they've been around for generations and have been very helpful to artists looking to grow their artistic ability.

After much thought I believe the big ten mental models listed below can be incredibly useful to artists too, both for achieving success (connection with collectors and other artists, visibility, income, opportunities) and fulfillment (creative growth, creative satisfaction, flow, resilience). Here's how, with specific examples relevant to a creative / art practice (and content creators in this space) like me and you.

Mental Models for Artists: How to Use Them

1. First Principles Thinking

Break things down to their fundamental truths, then reason up.

How to use it:

• Instead of copying what “successful artists” do, ask: Why does art resonate? Why do people watch drawing videos?

• Build your strategy from basics: “Art patrons want surprise + beauty + authenticity” → That leads you to lean into your colorful ballpoint sketches and plein air honesty.

Example:You might decide not to follow trends blindly but instead build an art practice around “slow art in fast world,” because it fulfills that first-principle need.

2. Inversion

Ask: What would guarantee failure? Avoid that. This is one of many favorite mental models that had been frequently used by Investment Legend, Charlie Munger,

How to use it:

• Instead of asking, “How can I be successful?” ask, “How can I make sure my art career fails?”

  • Never post.

  • Ignore community.

  • Make things only for likes.

  • Don't focus on learning and improving your craft

Then do the opposite.

Example: Avoid burnout and creative stagnation by actively scheduling off-grid hikes for inspiration, not just screen-based sketching.

3. The Lindy Effect

The longer something has lasted, the longer it’s likely to last.

How to use it:

• Study time-tested art skills: composition, line economy, storytelling, plein air technique.

• Focus less on fads like AI filters or viral gimmicks—they’re fleeting.

Example:Post a series called “Timeless Sketching,” where you draw using ancient or 19th-century techniques with a modern spin.

4. 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle)

80% of results come from 20% of actions (Conversely 80% of our problems come from 20% of our actions / habits / decisions).

How to use it:

• Look at your social media analytics: which 20% of content bring most views?

• Lok at your art sales and follow the same logic.

• Double down on those styles, while using 80% of your studio time to refill the creative well.

Example:Maybe your ballpoint pen shorts are 20% of your content but 80% of your traffic. Schedule a dedicated "pen day" weekly to batch those videos efficiently.

5. Compounding

Small, consistent efforts grow exponentially over time.

How to use it:

• Draw every day. Post weekly. Sketch often.

• One sketch = little gain. 1,000 sketches = massive improvement + content archive.

Example: Create a “100 Hikes, 100 Sketches” series. Momentum builds loyalty, audience, and a book idea.

6. Circle of Competence

Operate in areas where your knowledge is strongest.

How to use it:

• Know what you’re uniquely good at—e.g., plein air + hiking + ballpoint pens—and build from there.

• You don’t need to be a digital art expert if it doesn’t feel natural. That's definately the case for me plus I want to reduce the amount of time I spend on screens as much as possible...

Example: Own your niche: “Nature sketcher with only ballpoint pens” or "Pocono Plein Air Painter" becomes a strong personal brand.

7. Second-Order Thinking

Think beyond the immediate result. What happens next?

How to use it:

• Before saying yes to a collab or trend, ask: What’s the long-term impact?

• Think: “If I post rushed content every day, what does that do to quality, audience expectations, and joy?”

Example: You may decide not to follow a Shorts-only strategy, because it may damage your long-term narrative voice.

8. Occam’s Razor

The simplest solution is often the best.

How to use it:

• Don’t overcomplicate your Paintings, your process, gear, editing, or subject matter.

• Viewers want clarity, not complexity.

Example:Your minimalist plein air kit and unfiltered sketches have charm—lean into them rather than upgrading gear constantly.

9. Sunk Cost Fallacy

Don’t stick with something just because you’ve already invested in it.

How to use it:

• Don’t cling to an idea, series, or format that isn’t working just because it took a long time.

• Let go and try new directions.

Example:If a painting series flops and no interest develops, pause. Reassess. Maybe it becomes a blog instead, or maybe a related painting series resonates with traditional collectors and helps boost sales.

10. Network Effects

The value of something increases as more people use or connect to it.

How to use it:

• Collaborate with other artists.

• Comment thoughtfully on others’ videos.

• Mention and tag other plein air painters.

• Help connect fellow artists to opportunities to advance their careers or make progress on their creative journey

Example: Create a “Plein Air Circle” on YouTube or Instagram where artists sketch the same theme monthly and link to each other. Maybe organize plein air meet-ups so folks in your community have a safe easy way to get out in nature.

I am convinced just about every mental model used to advance science, business, investing and academia can be reapplied to help us creative folks too and there are hundreds of them!

The big ten mental models listed above are just the beginning --there are many more that can help us creatives... Tyranny of Small Decisions, Hanlon's Razor, Conjunction Fallacy, Framing, Nudging and Availability Bias -- Just to name a few

Our creative journeys are designed to unfold over the long-term so for now we'll focus on incorporating these ten mental models. Once we have some level of mastery with all of them maybe we can do more...

Cheers!