Neural insights into observational drawing: A longitudinal resting state functional connectivity study using 7 t MRI

Observational drawing is a freehand accurate depiction of directly observed three-dimensional objects, which demands fine-grained visual analysis and sensorimotor translation through engagement of complex cognitive processes like perception, attention, visuomotor coordination, and aesthetic evaluation. Trait attributes of observational drawing that can be captured through resting state functional connectivity are largely unexplored, and limited to examining specific functional networks. This reductionist approach overlooks coalesce of different brain networks at rest to support multifaceted demands of sustained artistic practice. This longitudinal exploratory study assessed whole brain resting state functional connectivity (FC) to elucidate the global functional brain changes related to training of observational drawing, in undergraduate art students (n = 32) participating in 16-week observational drawing course, compared to control group of non-art students (n = 19), using high resolution functional MRI. Our findings showed that sustained engagement in observational drawing leads to significant brain plasticity. Specifically, we observed enhanced FC within and between the cerebellar, default mode, and salience networks regions implicated in complex motor coordination, cognitive processing, and attentional control. This research provides insights into neural mechanisms that support the development of artistic abilities like observational drawing and its potential role as a low-cost, accessible intervention for therapeutic applications in neurological and behavioural disorders.