Archive for July 5, 2008

Painting by My Robot Compared to Painting By Both of Us

{ July 5, 2008 @ 8:00 pm } · { general }
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In my last post I showed the painting on the left.  It was painted 50% by me, and 50% by my robot, Zanelle.  When Zanelle first attempted to paint it, the algorithm I wrote to paint it messed up pretty bad.  So I needed to spend a couple hours touching the painting up by hand. 

But then I rewrote the algorithm and tried it again.  The painting on the right was the end result of the repaired algorithm.  Based on how it turned out, I just finished adjusting the algorithm a second time and am currently using my robot to paint a third version.  Though I like the second version stylistically, I wanted to try higher contrast and tighter brush strokes. 

As I just mentioned, Zanelle just started on the third copy.  She should finish in about 18 hours.  I will post the third painting in another comparison when it is done. 

If you have not read any of my previous posts, this is called:

The Resurrection, 14×18, Acrylic on Canvas. 

There are lots of themes in here besides the obvious and those I discussed in my last post, but I want to leave them for the audience to figure out.  Write me if you have any theories and I will share my thoughts with you.

Pindar

My Robot and I Paint Optimus Prime’s Resurrection

{ July 5, 2008 @ 11:39 am } · { general }
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             The Resurrection, 14″x18″, Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was a collaborative effort between my painting robot and I.  I was testing out a new algorithm that failed horribly.  But I liked the basic results so I went into it and repaired the painting by hand.  I have rewritten the painting algorithm and am currently re-painting it with my robot.  In a future blog I will show a comparison between this painting and the one painted 100% by my robot.  That painting is about 50% done right now and it looks pretty good.  It should finish by this afternoon.

Anyways, I always hate talking about my subject matter because I feel that if you don’t get it, you don’t get it.  It is impossible to explain.  I made this painting because I like both robots and classical paintings.  Unfortunately they two rarely come together.  The juxtaposition of the two is nothing new in pop art, but I feel this piece is relevant in light of the recent Transformer movie.  As a friend of mine, Andrew, pointed out to me, Optimus Prime could not have been a more blatant Christ figure.  Typically the inclusion of Christ figures in stories is subtle, but not in the Transformer Movie.  Also I love that he takes the place of Jesus, yet he has this humongous gun.  Cracks me up. 

As mentioned previously, I will post the 100% robot painted version shortly to show you a comparison.  This one is about 50% Zanelle, my robot, and 50% me.

Pindar