INTRODUCTION

Electronics on Canvas - this fusion of art and engineering invites creators to explore the intersection of creativity and circuitry. This website offers examples and instructions on how to integrate an Arduino microcomputer with electronic components — such as LEDs, sensors, and even mechanical parts — into traditional painting. The page includes lessons on the basics of Arduino, electronics, and artistic techniques using acrylic paints, crayons, and markers. By combining traditional art materials with interactive electronics, users will learn how to transform static artwork into dynamic, responsive creations, unlocking new ways of thinking where imagination and innovation come together.

BACKGROUND

Art and engineering, often seen as separate today, have historically been closely linked. The word "art" comes from the Latin "ars," which traces back to the Greek "techne," meaning skill or craftsmanship, especially in creating physical things. Similarly, "technology" combines "techne" with "logos" (meaning word or myth), originally signifying the "story of human dexterity." For centuries, the distinctions between art, craft, and engineering were unclear, with figures like Leonardo Da Vinci embodying both artistic and engineering skills. Concepts that now separate artists from engineers—such as intuition vs. logic or creativity vs. practicality—were once seen as part of a shared practice of human skill and technique.

This "electronics on canvas" approach offers a first step toward embracing this interdisciplinary human nature, merging the intuitive creativity of traditional painting with the methodical, logical principles of engineering. By combining traditional art materials with computational electronics, participants will learn to transform static artworks into dynamic, responsive creations—unlocking new ways of thinking where artistic imagination and engineering innovation meet and merge.

First Project: Electronics, Landscape, and Poetry

In our first project, we’ll create an electronics-on-canvas piece where visual intuition, engineering logic, and poetic expression interact and evolve toward a harmonious result. Based on my recent work Press to Cool Down, this guide will walk you through the process of merging acrylic painting with electronic components using Arduino and other creative materials. Along the way, we’ll explore how this fusion becomes a science-fiction–inspired poetic response to one of the most urgent planetary issues of our time: global warming.

Remember: Steps 2–5 are flexible, interdependent, and improvisational—feel free to repeat, rearrange, or adapt them as your project evolves, where Visual — Computing — Poetic come together in a dynamic, ever-evolving process!

Step 1 - Apply Gesso [1 hour]
Prepare your canvas by applying at least two layers of gesso. This will prime the surface and help paint adhere better. You can also lightly coat any non-sensitive electronics to help them blend into the canvas. Let each layer dry fully—this whole step takes about 1 hour.

Step 2 - Color the Electronics [1 hour]
Use acrylics, markers, or crayons to decorate and personalize your electronic parts. This helps them visually integrate with your artwork. Be careful to avoid covering sensors, connectors, or other critical components. Expect to spend around 1 hour on this step.

Step 3 - Test the Electronics [30 min]
Before embedding or painting over components, test all electronics using your Arduino setup. Check that everything works as expected—LEDs light up, sensors respond, motors move. This avoids frustration later. This quick but essential step takes about 20 minutes.

Step 4 - Paint the Canvas [4–5 hours / 2 days]
Let your creativity flow! Paint your canvas while keeping in mind where the electronics will go. You can paint around or directly over components to make them part of the scene. Depending on your style, this step may take 4–5 hours or be spread over 2 days.

Step 5 - Wiring and Coding [4–5 hours / 2 days]
Connect your electronics using wires, clips, and solder if needed. Upload or write your Arduino code to activate the components. Tweak your code to match how you want the artwork to behave—responsive lights, movement, or interactivity. Allow 4–5 hours or 2 days for experimentation and testing. [download the arduino sample code]

Step 6 - Finishing Touches
Once all parts are working and the artwork is complete, do any final touch-ups. You can frame it or seal the surface (avoid coating sensitive electronics). Now you have a dynamic, living painting—where logic and imagination dance together.

What's next?
What about portrait?

Reference:
Simple Button (pull up): https://docs.arduino.cc/built-in-examples/digital/InputPullupSerial/