Unravelling the Science Behind Creative Expression
Akko Gate. Pen and Ink sketch with Watercolour
Art transcends mere aesthetics in its myriad forms; it serves as a conduit for mental wellness and cognitive enrichment. This comprehensive exploration elucidates the multifaceted relationship between art and brain health, unveiling the scientific underpinnings behind its profound impact on our well-being.
For me, sketching clears my mind because it allows me to concentrate on one thing, which, like meditation (I assume), clears the mind of nagging, persistent and sometimes unhelpful thoughts.
Whenever we engage our creative minds, we begin to make connections between unrelated things; we imagine new ways to communicate.
“When you draw an object, the mind becomes deeply, intensely attentive, and it’s that act of attention that allows you to really grasp something, to become fully conscious of it.” – Milton Glaser, Drawing Is Thinking.
Our distant ancestors felt it necessary to draw on cave walls, and we’ve been communicating through sketching and other creative pursuits ever since. Does that mean creativity, sketching and the like are an evolutionary imperative?
“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life” – Pablo Picasso.
Da Vinci was one of the first to take his notebooks outside the studio to observe life, pioneering an approach to using sketching for direct observation and engagement with life. This timeless principle resonates even today. Sketching remains a valuable tool for artists and creatives, offering a way to disconnect from technology, reconnect with reality, and stimulate creativity in an ever-evolving world.
This approach underscores the enduring relevance of sketching in contemporary creative practices. It emphasizes its role as a means to disconnect from the digital realm, just as da Vinci did to deepen his understanding and enhance his talents.
Sketching uses hands, eyes and mind in concert. It engages you with the object of observation. There is certainly a joy to be found in focussing on a single object.
A brief trawl through some of the benefits of sketching and indulging in creative pursuits reveals several good reasons why we should all spend more time messing about and using our creativity in almost any form we can.
Memory
Drawing, considered the oldest language, underpins our communication. Our written language is constructed from drawn symbols on paper to convey thoughts. Beyond being a form of literacy, drawing aids memory retention. According to a study in the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology, individuals who doodled were 29% more inclined to remember ordinary information.
Happiness
Drawing triggers the release of Serotonin, Endorphins, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine, enhancing your happiness. You don’t need to be a renowned artist to enjoy drawing and doodling. Drawing also induces a calming effect, making it a beneficial activity to alleviate stress. So, when feeling overwhelmed, consider picking up a pencil and sketching.
Alertness
Drawing is an excellent way to kickstart your brain in the morning, enhancing alertness even more than a cup of coffee. This creative activity engages your mind and boosts wakefulness effectively.
Hand-Eye coordination
Drawing consistently enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Techniques like continuous line drawing and blind contour drawing compels artists to rely on instincts, engaging sight and touch simultaneously. Jeremy P. Tarcher, author of “The New Side of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain,” suggests that when sketching without observing the paper, the left brain dismisses spatial intricacies, enabling the right brain to dominate. This shift allows artists to trust hand movements rather than habitual drawing patterns, ultimately refining coordination.
Lowers Stress
Ongoing research in the realm of art therapy suggests that engaging in artistic activities can effectively lower stress levels. Both individuals with artistic inclinations and those without can experience reduced cortisol levels through creating art. This indicates that regardless of skill level, everyone can derive stress-relieving benefits from making art.
Focus
Creating art enables individuals to enter a “flow state,” where one loses track of time and self-awareness. Engaging in artistic pursuits promotes the presence of mind, activating diverse mental networks such as relaxed reflection, focused attention, and a sense of pleasure.
Process Emotions
Engaging with art can effectively reduce anxiety and foster coping abilities. For individuals experiencing significant distress, seeking guidance from a professional art therapist can facilitate this process. Art offers a means to express emotions and recollections beyond verbal communication. Creating art can serve as a cathartic journey, offering a comforting sense of release.
Future Vision
The brain functions as a predictive mechanism, utilizing past information to determine future actions crucial for survival. Engaging in artistic creation involves decision-making and interpreting images, aiding in understanding their significance. This process helps navigate potential future scenarios and fosters the imagination of more optimistic and promising outcomes.
Neuroscience and Art
In rehabilitation medicine and neuroscience, mounting evidence suggests that art significantly enhances brain function by influencing brainwave patterns, emotions, and the nervous system. Art’s impact on raising serotonin levels is noteworthy. Moreover, these advantages extend beyond creating art; experiencing art yields similar benefits. When individuals observe art, it can trigger the development of fresh neural pathways and novel cognitive frameworks.
Professor Semir Zeki, leading in neuroaesthetics at University College London, conducted a study where participants underwent brain scans while viewing paintings by renowned artists. The research revealed that beholding art considered most beautiful led to a remarkable increase in blood flow—up to 10%—in the brain’s pleasure-associated region, akin to the response when gazing at a beloved person.
Art taps into various sophisticated human brain processes, including intuitive analysis, expressiveness, and embodied cognition. Artists often exhibit superior observational skills and memory, possibly owing to art’s influence on the brain’s plasticity.
Conclusion:
Art, as an instrument of self-expression and cognitive enrichment, traverses realms beyond the aesthetic. Its profound influence on brain health, stress reduction, emotional processing, and cognitive enhancement underscores its significance in enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities alike.