a cognitive collaboration

When I create an original painting, I go through an internal question process making creative decisions every step of the way. I became curious, what would happen if I had ChatGPT answer these questions.

With these thoughts unfolding in my mind, I decided to take on an experiment into what working with AI might have to offer to my creative process. If you are curious, read on. I will share with you the questions, answers and steps of my entire journey with you. At the end, you will be able to see the final piece which I’m calling, Under the Influence, a cognitive collaboration between an artist and ChatGPT.

Question 1: Calm Acrylic Underpainting

Me - I want to create an original acrylic painting that inspires a sense of calm. What would you suggest I do for the underpainting?

ChatGPT - For an acrylic painting that evokes a sense of calm, you can consider using a soft and soothing color palette for the underpainting, Pastel shades such as light blue, pale greens, or lavender can create a serene atmosphere. These colors are often associated with tranquility and relaxation.

Additionally, you might want to experiment with blending techniques to create a gentle and subtle transition between the colors. Soft brush strokes or gentle sponge application can help achieve a peaceful and calming effect in the underpainting.

Remember, the underpainting sets the foundation for your artwork, so choose colors and techniques that resonate with your desired sense of calmness. Enjoy the process of creating your original acrylic painting.

Me - I like the idea of using pastel shades. Can you expand on what pastel colors you think would be best to blend?

ChatGPT - Certainly! When it comes to blending pastel shades for a calm and soothing underpainting, you can consider the following color combinations:

Sky Blue and Pale Yellow: Blend soft shades of sky blue and pale yellow for a serene and airy atmosphere. The coolness of the blue combined with the warmth of the yellow can create a balanced and peaceful effect.

Lavender and MInt Green: Mixing delicate shades of lavender and mint green can evoke a sense of tranquility and freshness. The subtle contrast between these hues can create a harmonious and calming visual experience.

Pale Pink and Soft Gray: Blending pale pink with soft gray tones can result in a gentle and understated underpainting. This combination has a soothing and neutral quality that promotes a sense of relaxation.

Pale and Ivory: The combination of pale green and ivory creates a natural and tranquil ambiance. This pairing brings to mind serene landscapes and can evoke a connection with nature.

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can always explore variations or incorporate other pastel colors that resonate with your personal preferences and vision. Experimenting with different blends will allow you to find the perfect combination that inspires calmness in your acrylic painting.

Me - I like 1. How can I increase the airy atmosphere?

Chat GPT - To enhance the airy atmosphere in your acrylic painting, you can incorporate a few techniques and elements into your artwork:

Soft Brushstrokes: Use soft and light brushstrokes to create a sense of airiness. Avoid heavy or bold strokes that may create a dense or heavy appearance. Gentle and feathery strokes can mimic the movement of air and contribute to the overall serene atmosphere.

Subtle Transitions: Pay attention to the transitions between colors in your underpainting. Aim for seamless and gradual blending, ensuring there are no harsh lines or abrupt changes. This smooth transition between shades can evoke a gentle flow and enhance the ethereal quality of the painting.

Use Transparent Layers: Acrylic paints can be diluted with water or acrylic medium to create transparent or semi-transparent layers. Applying thin washes or glazes of color can add a sense of depth and lightness to your painting. This technique allows light to pass through the layers, contributing to the airy feeling.

Negative Space: Incorporate areas of negative space in your composition. Leave certain sections of your underpainting unpainted or sparsely covered to create breathing room and a sense of openness. This empty space can enhance the overall lightness and tranquility of the artwork.

Incorporate Light Effects: Consider introducing subtle light effects such as soft highlights or gentle reflections. These can be achieved by selectively applying lighter shades or using techniques like dry brushing. Light effects add a luminous quality to your painting, enhancing the feeling of airiness.

Remember, these techniques are suggestions to help you achieve an airy atmosphere in your acrylic painting. Experimenting and finding your own unique approach will allow you to capture the desired sense of calmness and tranquility in our artwork.

Question 2: Dividing the Canvas

Me - I have a 20’’ x 20’’ canvas that I am making into aboriginal acrylic painting. I want it to have a calm and airy feeling to it. I want to divide it into squares. How many squares and in what dimensions would you divide it into?

ChatGPT - To achieve a calm and airy feeling while dividing your 20’’ x 20’’ canvas, you have several options. One approach could be to create a grid-like pattern by dividing the canvas into equal sized squares. Here are a few possibilities:

Dividing it into 4 equal squares: You could divide your canvas into a 2 x 2 grid, resulting in four 10’’ x 10’’ squares.

Dividing it into 9 equal squares: Creating a 3 x 3 grid would give you nine 6.67’’ x 6.67 squares.

Dividing it into 16 equal squares: A 4 x 4 grid would yield sixteen 5’’ x 5’’ squares.

Dividing it into 25 equal squares: A 5 x 5 grid would provide twenty-five 4’’ x 4’’ squares.

These are just a few options, and you can choose the division that best suits your vision and the desired aesthetic.

Me - I like option 4. Do you have any variation on this option?

ChatGPT - Certainly! If you like the idea of dividing your 20’’ x 20’’ canvas into 25 squares but would like some variation, you can consider creating a non-uniform grid. Here’s a suggestion:

You can divide your canvas into a 5 x 5 grid but create variations in the size of the squares. Instead of having all the squares be the same size, you can have some squares larger or smaller to add visual interest. For example:

Have four larger squares in the corners, measuring 6’’x 6’’ each.

Divide the remaining space into five 3’’ x 3’’ squares along the top and bottom edges.

Fill the center of the canvas with a single 4’’ x 4’’ square.

This variation in square sizes can create an asymmetrical yet balanced composition, adding depth and visual appeal to your painting while maintaining a calm and airy feeling.

Question 3: Painting color palette

Me - I am creating a 20’’ x 20’’ original acrylic painting. I want it to express a calm and airy feeling. I have created a pastel palette under painting. What color palette do you suggest for the painting?

Pale blues and greens: Light shades of blue and green can evoke a sense of tranquility and serenity. They can create a peaceful atmosphere reminiscent of open skies or gentle meadows.

Soft pastels: Pastel colors, such as blush pinks, lavender, and light yellows, can contribute to a gentle and airy ambiance. These hues often create a sense of lightness and delicacy.

Neutrals with a hint of warmth: Incorporating warm neutrals, like ivory, beige, or light gray, can add a touch of coziness and balance to your painting. These colors work well as a backdrop or in combination with other soft hues.

Remember to consider the overall composition and balance of your painting as you choose your color palette. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect blend that captures the calm and airy feeling you desire. Happy painting!

Me - I like the idea of focusing on pale blues and greens, your option 1. Can you elaborate on how I can make it more like open skies with the color palette?

ChatGPT - Certainly! To create a painting with a color palette that evokes the feeling of open skies, you can experiment with various shades of pale blues and greens. Here are some tips to help you achieve that effect:

Gradation of blues: Start with a light sky blue as your base color, and gradually transition into deeper shades of blue towards the top of the painting. This will mimic the natural gradient of a clear sky.

Soft clouds: Incorporate wispy, white cloud-like shapes in your painting using lighter tones of blue or even touches of pale gray. These clouds can add depth and a sense of expansiveness to the composition.

Subtle variations: Introduce subtle variations of blue and green throughout the painting to mimic the nuanced colors found in the sky. Consider using slightly warmer or cooler shades of blues and greens to add visual interest.

Play of light: Depict the play of light by using lighter shades of blues and greens where the light hits, and darker tones in areas of shadow. This will create a sense of depth and volume in your painting.

Reflective elements: To emphasize the open sky feeling, you can include reflective elements like a calm body of water or the shimmering surface of a lake. Use lighter shades of blues and greens to create a sense of reflection and tranquility.

Remember, these suggestions are meant to serve as a starting point, and you should feel free to experiment and adjust the colors to match your artistic vision. Enjoy the process of capturing the serene ambiance of open skies in your painting.

Question 4: Abstract visuals

Me - I am creating a 20’’ x 20’’ original acrylic painting on canvas. I want it to express a calm and airy feeling. I want to incorporate abstract visuals that communicate open skies. What abstract visuals should I incorporate?

ChatGPT - To incorporate abstract visuals that communicate open skies and a calm, airy feeling in your painting, you could consider using the following elements:

Soft, wispy brushstrokes: Use gentle, flowing brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and fluidity reminiscent of clouds drifting across the sky.

Light, pastel colors: Opt for a soft color palette with delicate shades of blue, white, and pale pinks or purples. These colors evoke a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Ethereal textures: Experiment with different textures to add depth and dimension to your painting. Consider using sponges, feather-like brushes, or even palette knives to create subtle texture that mimics the wisps of clouds.

Gradient blending: Graduallyblend colors together to create smooth transitions, replicating the subtle shifts in hue found in the sky during different times of the day. Gradations of blue fading into lighter tones can evoke a sense of vastness and openness.

Negative space: Leave areas of the canvas unpainted to create an impression of openness and spaciousness. This negative space can represent the expanse of the sky and provide a sense of breathing room.

Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can adapt and explore different abstract techniques to achieve your desired effect. Let your intuition guide you as you experiment and create a painting that captures the calm and airy feeling you envision.

Ready to see the final piece? You’ll find it here.

From here, I’m curious to continue this experiment. There were so many nuances to the question process, my interpretation and execution. I’m not ready to stop here. If you have any thoughts or want to ask me any questions, don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I’m onto working on my next piece in what will become a series dedicated to cognitive collaboration between an artist and ChatGPT.