Autistic Boy Draws Detailed Cityscapes From Memory After Just One Look: ‘It’s His Passion’

Autistic Boy Draws Detailed Cityscapes From Memory After Just One Look: ‘It’s His Passion’
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
2/25/2021
Updated:
3/29/2021

A talented 11-year-old boy with autism is producing a series of intricate drawings of cityscapes, all from his memory. His astounding reproductions include London, Paris, New York, and many other cities, in the most perfect perspective.

Alex Baker has been drawing since the age of 2. His mother, Laura Jackson, soon noticed his talent for reproductions.

11-year-old Alex Baker. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
11-year-old Alex Baker. (Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
“I took Alex to London when he was five and we were only there for the day, but he came home and drew all the London Underground system in detail,” 32-year-old Laura Jackson, who lives near Liverpool, northern England, said, according to The Metro.

“He has an incredible memory and will spend hours in his bedroom, drawing,” she said. “It’s his passion and we’re really proud of him.”

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)

Alex’s photographic memory means that he is able to reproduce a skyline or aerial cityscape after visiting a city, or seeing it in a book, just once. Among his most impressive sketches are the skyline of Manhattan and London’s Houses of Parliament.

“I like drawing cities which have lots of buildings and are intricate,” Alex explained. “My favorite city is London, and I really like the financial district as the buildings are so old.”

Alex has also drawn some historic places in London which include Tower Bridge, with the Canary Wharf and Gherkin building.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)

Laura told The Epoch Times via social media that her son’s latest sketch was the city of San Francisco. Alex’s younger brother Oliver, 9, and younger sister Matilda, 6, are also “both good at art in their own way,” she added.

Alex, who has a pet budgie named Samo, can complete an accurate cityscape in as little as three hours. However, he also occasionally spends days on larger drawings. The youngster uses color for his sketches sometimes; however, most of the time he sticks to grayscale.

Alex (far right) with his brother Oliver, 9, and sister Matilda, 6 (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
Alex (far right) with his brother Oliver, 9, and sister Matilda, 6 (Courtesy of Laura Jackson)

He has already considered putting his artwork up for sale and would like to be a professional artist when he grows up. For now, Alex dreams of the day he can pack a sketch pad and a passport and explore the world.

“I use books for cities which I haven’t visited and sometimes I make up my own cityscapes,” he explained to Metro. “I would really love to visit New York one day, so I can draw it without having to look at a book.”
Alex with his latest picture of San Francisco (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
Alex with his latest picture of San Francisco (Courtesy of Laura Jackson)

Below are some of Alex’s intricate artwork:

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
(Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
Alex's most recent creation. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.jackson.9210">Laura Jackson</a>)
Alex's most recent creation. (Courtesy of Laura Jackson)
This story was last updated in February 2021.
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Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
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