A Brain Circuit that Detects Faces

This circuit, involving the superior colliculus, explains how we quickly spot and focus on faces, which could be relevant for portrait artists, character designers, or anyone who draws or paints people. 

According to a news release from the NIH, “The newly discovered circuit first engages an evolutionarily ancient part of the brain called the superior colliculus, which can then trigger the eyes and head to turn for a better look. This better view enables different brain areas in the temporal cortex to engage in more complex facial recognition.”

The superior colliculus has also been found to play a crucial role in distinguishing objects from their backgrounds. PsyPost says:

“Researchers demonstrated that when the superior colliculus was deactivated, the mice had difficulty identifying objects against various backgrounds. This indicates that the superior colliculus is involved in a parallel pathway for visual processing, highlighting its significance in the brain’s overall visual system.”

It’s all a reminder to us artists that the viewer’s attention is primed for seeing faces in whatever image we create. The ability to recognize, orient to, and identify people by their faces is built into our brain structures. 

So if you put a little more time into getting that face exactly right, your time is well spent.