Bringing Pointillism to AI Art: Creating in Signac’s Style

The Art of Images: Finding Inspiration in Painting and AI

Greetings! Do you work with images in your creative process? A love for art can be incredibly valuable when working with visuals, especially when it comes to generating AI images. Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite artists and explore how his distinctive style can be incorporated into AI-generated imagery.

Though I haven’t visited yet (but I certainly will!), there’s currently an Impressionist exhibition in Korea, featuring works by Paul Signac. While he may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Impressionism—compared to Monet or Renoir—Signac’s work possesses a unique charm that deserves appreciation.

Paul Signac (1863–1935) was a French painter and a leading figure of Neo-Impressionism. Alongside Georges Seurat, he developed Pointillism, a technique that systematically applied small dots of pure color to create luminous, harmonized compositions.

Signac’s works are known for their vibrant color palettes and meticulous brushwork, bringing a sense of movement and energy to his paintings. He frequently depicted harbors, beaches, yachts, and cityscapes, inspired by his love of the sea. Some of his most celebrated pieces include The Port of Saint-Tropez and Portrait of Félix Fénéon.

The simplest way to apply an artist’s style to AI-generated images is to include their name in the text prompt. AI tools generate images based on prompts, which typically describe the subject, style, and desired effects. Here are a few key tips:

1. Referencing an artist in a prompt

   • You can use phrases like “by [artist’s name]” or “in the style of [artist’s name]” to guide the AI.

   • However, be mindful of copyright considerations. It’s best to avoid using the names of living artists or those who passed away within the last 70 years.

2. Exploring different applications of an artist’s style

   • Applying an artist’s aesthetic to an unexpected medium can yield unique results.

   • For example, using a painter’s style to generate fashion photography or a logo design can create intriguing visual contrasts.

3. Using MidJourney style codes

   • MidJourney users offer publicly available style codes (e.g., --sref, --p) that can refine the generated images.

   • I experimented with a style code that complemented Signac’s work, though it leaned more towards monochrome than his usual vibrant colors. The result? A distinctly different image that still captured the essence of his style.

4. Creating AI-generated logos

   • For today’s experiment, I applied Signac’s style to logo design. Instead of landscapes, I focused on simplified forms—a tree and a cat.

   • If you’re designing your own logo, you can choose elements that best represent your brand while keeping the color palette minimal (e.g., using just two colors like green and pink).

Art, AI, and Endless Possibilities

Understanding how well a style code aligns with an artist’s aesthetic requires an appreciation for art itself. Exploring past artistic movements can inspire fresh ideas—imagine depicting a modern couple with a tablet, reimagined through a 20th-century painter’s style! Though Signac primarily painted landscapes, his signature technique can also add a striking atmosphere to portraits, interiors, and abstract compositions.

I hope this newsletter has sparked your interest in Signac and other great artists, as well as in the creative potential of AI image generation. If you’d like more details on any step, feel free to leave a comment!

Next time, I may explore Practical Tips on how to create realistic mockups using Paul Signac-inspired logo designs—stay tuned!