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aRtsy: Generative Art with R and ggplot2

“If you laugh at a joke, what difference does it make if subsequently you are told that the joke was created by an algorithm?” - Marcus du Sautoy, The Creative Code

aRtsy aims to make generative art accessible to the general public in a straightforward and standardized manner. The package provides algorithms for creating artworks that incorporate some form of randomness and are dependent on the set seed. Each algorithm is implemented in a separate function with its own set of parameters that can be tweaked.

Artwork of the day

Every 24 hours this repository randomly generates and tweets an artwork from the aRtsy library. The full collection of daily artworks is available on the twitter feed and the mastodon feed. This is today’s artwork:

Installation

The most recently released version of aRtsy can be downloaded from CRAN by running the following command in R:

install.packages("aRtsy")

devtools::install_github("koenderks/aRtsy")

library(aRtsy)

Note: Render times in RStudio can be quite long for some artworks. It is therefore recommended that you save the artwork to a file (e.g., .png or .jpg) before viewing it. You can save the artwork in an appropriate size and quality using the saveCanvas() function.

artwork <- canvas_strokes(colors = c("black", "white"))
saveCanvas(artwork, filename = "myArtwork.png")

Available artworks

The Iterative collection

The Iterative collection implements algorithms whose state depend on the previous state. These algorithms mostly use a grid based canvas to draw on. On this grid, each point represents a pixel of the final image. By assigning a color to these points according to certain rules, one can create the images in this collection.

Langton’s ant

According to Wikipedia, Langton’s ant is a turmite with a very specific set of rules. In particular, after choosing a starting position the algorithm involves repeating the following three rules:

You can use the canvas_ant() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_ant(colors = colorPalette("house"))
# see ?canvas_ant for more input parameters of this function

Chladni figures

This function draws Chladni figures on the canvas. It works by generating one or multiple sine waves on a square matrix. You can provide the waves to be added yourself. After generating the waves it is possible to warp them using a domain warping technique. The angles and distances for the warp can be set manually or according to a type of noise.

You can use the canvas_chladni() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_chladni(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_chladni for more input parameters of this function

Cobwebs

This function draws a lines in a structure that resemble cobwebs. The algorithm creates many Fibonacci spirals shifted by random noise from a normal distribution.

You can use the canvas_cobweb() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_cobweb(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_cobweb for more input parameters of this function

Collatz conjecture

The Collatz conjecture is also known as the 3x+1 equation. The algorithm draws lines according to a simple rule set:

By visualizing the sequence for each number, overlaying sequences that are the same, and bending the edges differently for even and odd numbers in the sequence, organic looking structures can occur.

You can use the canvas_collatz() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_collatz(colors = colorPalette("tuscany3"))
# see ?canvas_collatz for more input parameters of this function

Fractal flames

This function implements the Fractal Flame algorithm described in this article by Scott Draves and Erik Reckase. It iterates a set of randomly determined function systems following one or multiple specific variations to determine a set of points. You can specify which variations from the article to include in the flame, what type of symmetry to include, whether to blend the variations using weights or to pick a single variation for each iteration, whether to apply a post transformation and whether to apply a final transformation (optionally including an additional posttransformation). The final image can either be based on a the origin of the attractors or on the log density of the hit count of each pixel (for a more rigid look).

You can use the canvas_flame() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(2)
canvas_flame(colors = colorPalette("dark2"))
# see ?canvas_flame for more input parameters of this function

Flow fields

This artwork implements a version of the algorithm described in the blog post Flow Fields by Tyler Hobbs. It works by creating a grid of angles and determining how certain points will flow through this field. The angles in the field can be set manually or according to the predictions of a supervised learning method trained on randomly generated data.

You can use the canvas_flow() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_flow(colors = colorPalette("dark2"))
# see ?canvas_flow for more input parameters of this function

Lissajous curves

This function draws Lissajous curves and subsequently connects the points on the curve to its k-nearest neighbors. The function is inspired by the Lissajous curves implemented in Marcus Volz’s mathart package but adds colors into the mix.

You can use the canvas_lissajous() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_lissajous(colors = colorPalette("blossom"))
# see ?canvas_lissajous for more input parameters of this function

Mazes

This artwork creates mazes. The mazes are created using a random walk algorithm (described in the mazegenerator repository). The mazes can also be displayed with polar coordinates, creating some pretty cool effects.

You can use the canvas_maze() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_maze(color = "#fafafa")
# see ?canvas_maze for more input parameters of this function

Meshes

This artwork creates one or more rotating circular morphing meshes on the canvas. The idea behind this artwork is described in this blogpost by Dan Gries with the simple words: “deformed circles move across the canvas, and trace out these shapes”. The circle has a three random components at each time step: the center, the radius, and the increase in the radius.

You can use the canvas_mesh() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_mesh(color = "#000000")
# see ?canvas_mesh for more input parameters of this function

Petri dishes

This artwork uses a space colonization algorithm (excellently described in this blogpost by Jason Webb) to draw Petri dish colonies. If you add a hole in the middle of the Petri dish, the colony grows around the hole.

You can use the canvas_petri() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_petri(colors = colorPalette("sooph"))
# see ?canvas_petri for more input parameters of this function

Phyllotaxis

This function draws a Phyllotaxis on the canvas. This structure represents the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem.

You can use the canvas_phyllotaxis() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_phyllotaxis(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_phyllotaxis for more input parameters of this function

Planets

We all love space, and this type of artwork puts you right between the planets. The algorithm creates one or multiple planets in space and uses a cellular automata (described in the blog post Neighborhoods: Experimenting with Cyclic Cellular Automata by Antonio Sánchez Chinchón) to fill in their surfaces. The color and placement of the planets can be set manually.

You can use the canvas_planet() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_planet(colors = colorPalette("retro3"))
# see ?canvas_planet for more input parameters of this function

Recamán’s sequence

This function draws Recamán’s sequence on a canvas. The algorithm takes increasingly large steps backwards on the positive number line, but takes a step forward if it is unable to perform the step backwards.

You can use the canvas_recaman() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_recaman(colors = colorPalette("random", n = 10))
# see ?canvas_recaman for more input parameters of this function

Rainbow smoke

This function implements the rainbow smoke algorithm, an original idea from Jozsef Fejes. The algorithm works as follows: First, we select an initial color and apply it to a randomly chosen pixel. Next, we proceed to use the remaining colors one at the time and color pixels in a manner where colors that are alike are positioned near each other.

You can use the canvas_smoke() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_smoke(colors = colorPalette("random", 1024))
# see ?canvas_smoke for more input parameters of this function

Split lines

This function generates a fractal curve. It starts with four simple lines and proceeds to split each line in four new line segments. If this action is repeated for some time, and each time the same split is made, the end product is a fractal curve. The fractal curve in this function (optionally) uses some noise to create random distortions in the curve.

You can use the canvas_splits() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_splits(colors = colorPalette("origami"))
# see ?canvas_splits for more input parameters of this function

Stripes

This type of artwork is based on the concept of Brownian motion. The algorithm generates a sequence of slightly increasing and decreasing values for each row on the canvas. Next, it fills these according to their generated value. More colors usually make this artwork more interesting.

You can use the canvas_stripes() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_stripes(colors = colorPalette("random", n = 10))
# see ?canvas_stripes for more input parameters of this function

Paint strokes

When you think of the act of painting, you probably imagine stroking paint on a canvas. This type of artwork tries to mimic that activity. The algorithm is based on the simple idea that each next point on a grid-based canvas has a chance to take over the color of an adjacent colored point, but also has a minor chance of generating a new color. Going over the canvas like this results in something that looks like strokes of paint.

You can use the canvas_strokes() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_strokes(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_strokes for more input parameters of this function

Swirls

In this artwork, inspired by Matt Deslauriers’ blog post on generative art with Node.js and canvas, a particle system takes center stage, giving birth to enchanting swirling lines. The individual particles in the system are subjected to velocities in two directions, dictating the paths they traverse while shaping the swirls on the canvas.

You can use the canvas_swirls() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_swirls(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_swirls for more input parameters of this function

Portuguese tiles

This function attempts to recreate the intricate designs on Portuguese-style decorative tiles. The artwork uses a reaction-diffusion algorithm, which simulates the process of chemicals reacting and diffusing on a surface (excellently described in these three blogposts: link, link and link), to generate an initial quarter of each tile. Next, the initial quarter tile is mirrored twice to get the symmetric look that is reminiscent of traditional Portuguese tiles. You can fill the wall with as many unique tiles as you want and specify a custom layout.

You can use the canvas_tiles() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_tiles(colors = colorPalette("azul"))
# see ?canvas_tiles for more input parameters of this function

Turmite

According to Wikipedia, a turmite is “a Turing machine which has an orientation in addition to a current state and a”tape” that consists of an infinite two-dimensional grid of cells”. The classic algorithm consists of repeating the following three simple steps:

You can use the canvas_turmite() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_turmite(colors = colorPalette("dark2"))
# see ?canvas_turmite for more input parameters of this function

Watercolors

This artwork implements a version of the algorithm described in the blog post A Guide to Simulating Watercolor Paint with Generative Art by Tyler Hobbs. It works by layering several geometric shapes and deforming each shape by repeatedly splitting its edges.

You can use the canvas_watercolors() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_watercolors(colors = colorPalette("tuscany2"))
# see ?canvas_watercolors for more input parameters of this function

The Geometric collection

The Geometric collection mostly implements algorithms that draw a geometric shape and apply a random color to it.

Diamonds

This function creates a set of diamonds on a canvas. The diamonds are filled in (or left out) using a random color assignment.

You can use the canvas_diamonds() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_diamonds(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_diamonds for more input parameters of this function

Functions

The idea for this type of artwork is taken over from the generativeart package. In this algorithm, the position of every single point is calculated by a formula which has random parameters. You can supply your own formula.

You can use the canvas_function() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_function(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_function for more input parameters of this function

Polylines

This function draws many points on the canvas and connects these points into a polygon. After repeating this for all the colors, the edges of all polygons are drawn on top of the artwork.

You can use the canvas_polylines() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_polylines(colors = colorPalette("retro1"))
# see ?canvas_polylines for more input parameters of this function

Ribbons

This function creates colored ribbons with (or without) a triangle that breaks their paths. This path of the ribbon polygon is creating by picking one point on the left side of the triangle and one point on the right side at random and using these points as nodes.

You can use the canvas_ribbons() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_ribbons(colors = colorPalette("retro1")
# see ?canvas_ribbons for more input parameters of this function

Segments

This type of artwork is inspired by the style of the well-known paintings by the Dutch artist Piet Mondriaan. The position and direction of each line segment is determined randomly.

You can use the canvas_segments() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_segments(colors = colorPalette("dark1"))
# see ?canvas_segments for more input parameters of this function

Squares and rectangles

This artwork uses a variety of squares and rectangles to fill the canvas. It works by repeatedly cutting into the canvas at random locations and coloring the area that these cuts create.

You can use the canvas_squares() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_squares(colors = colorPalette("retro2"))
# see ?canvas_squares for more input parameters of this function

The Supervised collection

The artworks in the Supervised collection are inspired by decision boundary plots in machine learning tasks. The algorithms in this collection work by generating random data points on a two dimensional surface (with either a continuous or a categorical response variable), which they then try to model using the supervised learning algorithm. Next, they try to predict the color of each pixel on the canvas.

Blacklights

This artwork is inspired by a supervised machine learning method called support vector machines. It applies the principle as described above using a continuous response variable to fill the color of the pixels.

You can use the canvas_blacklight() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_blacklight(colors = colorPalette("random", n = 5))
# see ?canvas_blacklight for more input parameters of this function

Forests

This artwork is inspired by a supervised learning method called random forest. It applies the principle as described above using a continuous response variable to fill the color of the pixels.

You can use the canvas_forest() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_forest(colors = colorPalette("jungle"))
# see ?canvas_forest for more input parameters of this function

Gemstones

This artwork is inspired by a supervised learning method called k-nearest neighbors. It applies the principle as described above using a continuous response variable to fill the color of the pixels. In short, the k-nearest neighbors algorithm computes the distance of each pixel on the canvas to each randomly generated data point and assigns it the color of the value of that data point.

You can use the canvas_gemstone() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_gemstone(colors = colorPalette("dark3"))
# see ?canvas_gemstone for more input parameters of this function

Mosaics

This artwork also uses a k-nearest neighbors method but instead of a continuous response variable a categorical one is used, making it a classification problem. If you considers fewer neighbors the artwork looks like a mosaic, while higher values make the artwork look more smooth.

You can use the canvas_mosaic() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_mosaic(colors = colorPalette("retro2"))
# see ?canvas_mosaic for more input parameters of this function

Nebula

Based on the very same principle as described in the artwork above is this next type of artwork. However, it produces slightly different pictures as it uses different code to create a form of k-nearest neighbors noise. Some of these artworks can resemble nebulas in outer space.

You can use the canvas_nebula() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

set.seed(1)
canvas_nebula(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_nebula for more input parameters of this function

The Static collection

Circle maps

This type of artwork is based on the concept of an Arnold tongue. According to Wikipedia, Arnold tongues “are a pictorial phenomenon that occur when visualizing how the rotation number of a dynamical system, or other related invariant property thereof, changes according to two or more of its parameters”.

You can use the canvas_circlemap() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

canvas_circlemap(colors = colorPalette("dark2"))
# see ?canvas_circlemap for more input parameters of this function

The Mandelbrot set

This type of artwork visualizes the Mandelbrot set and other related fractals (e.g., the Julia set, the Multibrot set and the Burning ship fractal). These fractals are well-known examples of a complex structure arising from the application of a simple rule set. You can zoom in on the set and apply some color to create these images below.

You can use the canvas_mandelbrot() function to make your own artwork using this algorithm.

canvas_mandelbrot(colors = colorPalette("tuscany1"))
# see ?canvas_mandelbrot for more input parameters of this function

Color palettes

The function colorPalette() can be used to generate a (semi-)random color palette, or pick a pre-implemented color palette. Currently, the color palettes displayed below are implemented in aRtsy. Feel free to suggest or add a new palette by making an issue on GitHub!

Contributing to the aRtsy package

Contributions to the aRtsy package are very much appreciated and you are free to suggest or add your own algorithms! If you want to add your own artwork to the package so that others can create unique versions of it, feel free to make a pull request to the GitHub repository. Don’t forget to also adjust generate-artwork.R if you want the artwork to show up in the ‘Artwork of the day’ category and the twitter feed.

These binaries (installable software) and packages are in development.
They may not be fully stable and should be used with caution. We make no claims about them.

aRtsy: Generative Art with R and ggplot2