AI Painter Creates Art via Code, Avoiding Image Generation

An AI model named Claude Opus 5.5 simulates painting by writing code that directs a virtual oil paint simulation. The model creates art without relying on image generators, instead using written descriptions and research to mimic the styles of historical painters like Caspar David Friedrich. The AI painters produce works that evoke mood and atmosphere, often choosing similar subjects independently, such as jugs and lemons or dusk scenes, even when not exposed to each other’s work.

The process involves AI models writing programs to simulate painting techniques, including brush strokes, wet paint, and layered glazes. Some models paint entire pictures as one program, while others work in passages, stepping back to review their progress. The project highlights the creative capabilities of AI in art, demonstrating how models can generate unique pieces based on textual prompts and historical references.