Robotic Art on the Left Bank of the River Aire?

Since the last Raspberry Jam in Leeds, back in July, it's been on my mind to try out more activities with the Watercolorbot.

That Summer's day event was hosted at Digital Garage, with the backdrop of Leeds Dock, and it got me thinking about real-time art applications and projects.

Robotic art possibilities on the Leeds' Left Bank?

Wanted: Artist's brush or input tool

In the last couple of weeks I've also been intrigued about AI with art for data visualisations and in particular the AI Painter project.

We've been manipulating images and taking art as a medium for data visualisation pieces, alongside further considerations with WaterColorBot as a hackable tool.

And so my fundamental aim shifted and started to centre around opportunities to add a graphics tablet as an input device to manipulate images and create a painted output.

Painting by Stylus?

'Painting by Stylus' and 'Paint Brushed with Watercolorbot' were the intended outcomes but drivers were a stumbling block when connecting the different components for the hardware I was seeking.

Photoshop possibilities?

Until another collaboration with a colleague last week, who was successfully using AstroPad to give graphics tablet functionality through an iPad.

Tools from the 'Graphics Tablet'

That's given me opportunities to explore and manipulate data through Photoshop and AstroPad tools, using the stylus on the iPad, and also with a connected workspace through the Macbook and Watercolorbot.

Connected tools

It's early days yet with example activities tested to add layers using Photoshop. That's given a stimulus to add custom brush strokes to some images or take sections to modify or display with alternative data visualisation examples and manipulated outputs.

#GonePainting. Back soon.