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I Draw Portraits Using Only My Eyes
I Draw Portraits Using Only My Eyes
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I Draw Portraits Using Only My Eyes

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When I was at art school, our teachers would stand behind us and scrutinize the drawing and say ‘you’re not looking hard enough’.

So I designed a piece of software in collaboration with a company called Tobaii, the world leaders in eye tracking technology. They make it possible for sensors to detect exactly where you are looking. The technology works by shining infra-red light straight into the eyes. The reflections are recorded by a camera through multi-algorithms and filters which allow eye movement to immediately be translated onto a screen. After many months of trail and error, we created a piece of code that would allow my eyes to draw a freestyle line, directly onto a computer screen, according to the different sensitivities of my eyes. I can predetermine the thickness of the line and color and then stare at the screen. As I begin to move my eyes, the line moves. No arms, no pencils or brushes. I am drawing with my eyes.

More info: grahamfink.com

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    When I was at art school, our teachers would stand behind us and say ‘you’re not looking hard enough’

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    The trouble is, there is a lot of process going on between your eyes looking at something and then transferring that information to your brain, down your arms through your pencil and onto the paper

    drawing-with-my-eyes-graham-fink-1

    I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to draw directly using just my eyes?

    So I designed a piece of software [that use] eye tracking technology and allow my eyes to draw directly onto a computer screen

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    I draw the lines in my mind’s eye and sooner or later a face appears. I work with this trusting my unconscious

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    The lines appear like digital charcoal markings. I then print the more successful ones onto white marble

    Concentrating on screen

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    grahamfink

    grahamfink

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Multimedia artist, living and working in Shanghai.

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    grahamfink

    grahamfink

    Author, Community member

    Multimedia artist, living and working in Shanghai.

    What do you think ?
    ConnSuits
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating! I bet a whole lotta quadriplegics would love doing that as a hobby. If you have no arm use available hobbies are pretty limited

    ArnettaScranton
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    My Uncle Miles just got an awesome black Kia Optima Sedan why not check here .......................................... 2.gp/FZSd

    Load More Replies...
    AlanRyanHall
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is rarely originality in art. But through technology..you have achieved creativity, originality and art.

    GlennRees
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quite an amazing technique. I do hope this will develop into something useful for others too.

    Charlottecui
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You have a special talent not a lot of people have. This is amazing

    maggiemoonbeam
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating! What a brilliant innovation. Will have to check out your website!

    Kevin O'Neill
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this work. I am increasingly drawn into the second drawing down. It has me a little mesmerized.

    OlgaChelesheva
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idea is amasing. The author did a great job. But is this technology is safe for eyes? "The technology works by shining infra-red light straight into the eyes." Even if it does not make any significant harm it is a great stress for eyes and a vision.

    L.E.X
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People with no arms can now draw!!!

    TeaBerries
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and the next day he got a call from the US Department of Defence...

    GhenaDekmak
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's the name of the program? I really really like it

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Tommy, actually it is for real. I was in the Gallery for 2 weeks drawing with my eyes everyday. although it is hard to do!

    Load More Replies...
    MadisonCharap
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think what's interesting is that the image produced on screen is much more intuitive, less "right" but much more strinkingly subconscious!

    cowz45
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow very cool. I have heard of cool styles of art like this, but never art drawn by eyes!

    KaraDer-Kar
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible and very talented!

    MakenzieSheriff
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woah. This is amazing! I don't think I could concentrate like that for very long! :)

    Melodie
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Pretty good if the eye technology isn't a joke.

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, it isn't a joke. you can see me drawing here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ApFzumPQEQ

    Load More Replies...
    ConnSuits
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating! I bet a whole lotta quadriplegics would love doing that as a hobby. If you have no arm use available hobbies are pretty limited

    ArnettaScranton
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    My Uncle Miles just got an awesome black Kia Optima Sedan why not check here .......................................... 2.gp/FZSd

    Load More Replies...
    AlanRyanHall
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is rarely originality in art. But through technology..you have achieved creativity, originality and art.

    GlennRees
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quite an amazing technique. I do hope this will develop into something useful for others too.

    Charlottecui
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You have a special talent not a lot of people have. This is amazing

    maggiemoonbeam
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating! What a brilliant innovation. Will have to check out your website!

    Kevin O'Neill
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this work. I am increasingly drawn into the second drawing down. It has me a little mesmerized.

    OlgaChelesheva
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idea is amasing. The author did a great job. But is this technology is safe for eyes? "The technology works by shining infra-red light straight into the eyes." Even if it does not make any significant harm it is a great stress for eyes and a vision.

    L.E.X
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People with no arms can now draw!!!

    TeaBerries
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and the next day he got a call from the US Department of Defence...

    GhenaDekmak
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's the name of the program? I really really like it

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Tommy, actually it is for real. I was in the Gallery for 2 weeks drawing with my eyes everyday. although it is hard to do!

    Load More Replies...
    MadisonCharap
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think what's interesting is that the image produced on screen is much more intuitive, less "right" but much more strinkingly subconscious!

    cowz45
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow very cool. I have heard of cool styles of art like this, but never art drawn by eyes!

    KaraDer-Kar
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Incredible and very talented!

    MakenzieSheriff
    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woah. This is amazing! I don't think I could concentrate like that for very long! :)

    Melodie
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Pretty good if the eye technology isn't a joke.

    Community Member
    10 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, it isn't a joke. you can see me drawing here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ApFzumPQEQ

    Load More Replies...
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