Computer-Controlled finger painting
Processing, Generative Art, Pen Plotter
A robot-controlled finger painting exploration using computer-generated squiggles plotted on paper using an AxiDraw and paint. The project explored automation and repetition through both positive and negative (resist) finger paintings.
This project was the result of the Drawing with Machines workshop taught by Golan Levin at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in collaboration with Travis Uhrig.
Squiggle generator
The squiggles were generated in Processing based on the prompt “take a line for a walk” and used Perlin noise as a means for creating randomness. SVGs were curated programmatically based on their length, curves, and location within the canvas and discarded “bad art” is quickly skipped over (left).
Plein-Air (finger) painting
The selected SVGs were plotted on an AxiDraw using acrylic paint and two different painting techniques. Subtractive (or resist) painting used a pre-painted surface that the finger dragged through, revealing the paper below. This style of painting used transparent Yupo paper and nicely repelled the paint. Additive (or positive) painting more intuitively mimics childhood finger painting and by dipping the finger into a pool of paint and adds it to the canvas. Bristol paper was used to capture these paintings.
Subtractive, or resist, finger painting.
Additive, or positive, finger painting.