The relationship between cognitive processing and spatial ability offers insight into the effectiveness of complex images for learning. In this study we demonstrate that high and low spatial ability learners process complex images differently for learning. Processing for the present study was determined by changes in cerebral blood velocity and measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Our results show that there is a slight increase from baseline values of cerebral blood velocity in individuals with high spatial ability during the learning task for the present study compared to low spatial ability learners. Differences in learner performance were marginal. Future iterations need to include other elements such as auditory information to determine the full extend of cognitive load using multimedia learning objects.