Imagined oak

Custom software, drawing robot, graphite on Yupo paper. 30 x 42cm unframed. Edition of one - this is a unique original drawing, not a print.

This is not a real tree.

I created it using artificial intelligence tools that allow me to transform language into images. The image was formed gradually through a dialog between myself and the machine, “steering” the image towards the tree I envisaged by my choice of words and sentences to feed into the software along with its own outputs.

The final drawing was created using graphite pencil and robot. My intention is to create an image that is reminiscent of Victorian scientific engravings, but constructed and physically drawn purely by modern computational means. The result is not a tree that exists in the real world but feels believable, a weathered oak on an exposed hillside perhaps.

I used six layers of graphite, carefully manipulating the weight, hardness, and width of the pencil lead over time. It took three days to draw and is made up of nearly a million lines. The layers of graphite produce a sheen and depth that’s hard to convey in photographs.

For each drawing sold, I will donate £5 to Trees for Life, to offset carbon and support the rewilding of the Scottish Highlands.

A note on care of the drawing. This drawing is made using graphite pencil on extremely smooth paper, for a very delicate texture and rich tones that are hard to capture on camera! However, this means it will smudge easily if touched. I will post the drawing covered with tissue paper, but you should take care when framing the drawing not to touch the surface.