Variational Quantum Brushes

TL;DR

This paper introduces two new quantum brushes that utilize variational quantum algorithms to create artistic effects, expanding the intersection of quantum computing and digital art with open-source tools.

Contribution

It presents the mathematical framework and implementation of Steerable and Chemical quantum brushes, integrating variational quantum algorithms into artistic software.

Findings

Open-source implementation of quantum brushes available

Steerable merges two artworks using quantum geometric control

Chemical mimics molecular eigensolvers for color evolution

Abstract

Quantum brushes are computational arts software introduced by Ferreira et al (2025) that leverage quantum behavior to generate novel artistic effects. In this outreach paper, we introduce the mathematical framework and describe the implementation of two quantum brushes based on variational quantum algorithms, Steerable and Chemical. While Steerable uses quantum geometric control theory to merge two works of art, Chemical mimics variational eigensolvers for estimating molecular ground energies to evolve colors on an underlying canvas. The implementation of both brushes is available open-source at https://github.com/moth-quantum/QuantumBrush and is fully compatible with the original quantum brushes.