Process

How a work is made

Observe, experiment, test and repeat.

1. 01

   The code

   Until fairly recently the creative process meant knowing and understanding algorithms in depth, using multiple libraries and fighting playing with source code for hours until you got the result you were after. Recently, with the use of AI, this process has also been radically affected, and now we can explore ideas that were unthinkable until not long ago in a matter of minutes. Much of that work happens in DBP Lab, the creative-coding tool we develop.

2. 02

   The test on screen

   The combination of generative art + pen plotter lets us get incredible results in hours. From code, to image, ink, and paper.

3. 03

   The paper

   We work with heavyweight drawing papers: Fabriano Accademia 200 g, Canson Bristol 250 g and Hahnemühle Nostalgie 190 g. Each responds differently to the pen: Bristol is smooth and gives very clean lines; Accademia has some tooth and softens the stroke.

4. 04

   The pen and the ink

   We use pigment-ink fineliners (Sakura Pigma Micron, Staedtler Pigment Liner, Uni Pin, Gelly Roll…) from 0.1 to 1 mm, highlighters, ballpoints, etc. Pigment ink is lightfast and waterproof: the work does not fade.

5. 05

   The machine draws

   The pen plotter holds the pen and travels the drawing stroke by stroke, exactly as the file defines it. A work can take 30 minutes or 10 hours, depending on the number of layers, strokes, materials, colours…

6. 06

   Review

   Every piece leaves the machine one of a kind: the ink settles slightly differently each time. We check the work against the light and let it dry before calling it finished.