New research into artists’ brain patterns indicates that artists may have more “grey matter” in their brains, particularly in the in the parts that deal with observation and fine motor skills. Grey matter is made up of neurons and is associated with thinking and reasoning. Some studies have found that creativity is linked to low levels of N-acetylaspartate, a chemical that promotes neural health, in the grey matter.
Research into the Brain
These and other studies discount the long-held belief that artists use the right side of their brain more than the left. Grey matter is found on both sides of the brain. Studies suggest that the left and right sides of the brain are both vital, and while certain functions may indeed spark activity more in one side or the other, the notion that the left side of the brain is used for logic and the right side of the brain is used for creativity is simply incorrect.
While studies show that artists have more grey matter in different areas of the brain, it is not clear whether the grey matter is a result of nature or nurture, and may come about as a result of both. A small study that was done by KU Leuven University in Belgium investigated the active areas in the brains of 21 art students and 23 non-artists. The finding showed that the artists had an increased quantitiy of grey matter surrounding particular areas that corresponded to the type of artwork that the artist most often engaged in, that differed widely between the non-artists and even between artists that leaned more heavily towards different styles. Those that generally practiced drawing requiring a large amount of fine detail were more apt to have an increased amount of grey matter in areas of the brain that correspond to fine motor skills, while those that draw landscapes may have more grey matter in areas that help to gauge spatial distances. While there is still much research to be done to even begin understanding the relationship between the brain and artistry, researchers were excited to report these findings.