Stroke-based Rendering: From Heuristics to Deep Learning
Not on the map. Why?
Abstract (arXiv)
In the last few years, artistic image-making with deep learning models has gained a considerable amount of traction. A large number of these models operate directly in the pixel space and generate raster images. This is however not how most humans would produce artworks, for example, by planning a sequence of shapes and strokes to draw. Recent developments in deep learning methods help to bridge the gap between stroke-based paintings and pixel photo generation. With this survey, we aim to provide a structured introduction and understanding of common challenges and approaches in stroke-based rendering algorithms. These algorithms range from simple rule-based heuristics to stroke optimization and deep reinforcement agents, trained to paint images with differentiable vector graphics and neural rendering.
Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 45 of its 135 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 30 Dec 2022.
Builds on
45 of 135 references.
References · 45
- 2014Adam: A Method for Stochastic Optimizationcited by 36,960
- 2021Learning Transferable Visual Models From Natural Language Supervisioncited by 33,456
- 2014Very Deep Convolutional Networks for Large-Scale Image Recognitioncited by 15,267
- 2018The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Deep Features as a Perceptual Metriccited by 11,029
- 2021Diffusion Models Beat GANs on Image Synthesiscited by 8,185
- 2022Hierarchical Text-Conditional Image Generation with CLIP Latentscited by 6,539
- 2022Generative Adversarial Networkscited by 5,603
- 2013Auto-Encoding Variational Bayescited by 3,980
- 2021Scaling Up Visual and Vision-Language Representation Learning With Noisy Text Supervisioncited by 3,848
- 2017Progressive Growing of GANs for Improved Quality, Stability, and Variationcited by 2,967
- 2016Perceptual Losses for Real-Time Style Transfer and Super-Resolutioncited by 2,678
- 2013Sinkhorn Distances: Lightspeed Computation of Optimal Transportation Distancescited by 2,277
33 more
- 2017Arbitrary Style Transfer in Real-time with Adaptive Instance Normalizationcited by 1,998
- 2021Alias-Free Generative Adversarial Networkscited by 1,181
- 2016SqueezeNet: AlexNet-level accuracy with 50x fewer parameters and <0.5MB model sizecited by 1,054
- 2017A Neural Representation of Sketch Drawingscited by 311
- 2022VQGAN-CLIP: Open Domain Image Generation and Editing with Natural Language Guidancecited by 285
- 2017Neural Style Transfer: A Reviewcited by 199
- 2021CLIPDraw: Exploring Text-to-Drawing Synthesis through Language-Image Encoderscited by 186
- 2016A guide to convolution arithmetic for deep learningcited by 182
- 2018Synthesizing Programs for Images using Reinforced Adversarial Learningcited by 72
- 2019Learning to Paint With Model-based Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 70
- 2021Paint Transformer: Feed Forward Neural Painting with Stroke Predictioncited by 61
- 2020Deep Learning for Free-Hand Sketch: A Surveycited by 59
- 2020Stylized Neural Paintingcited by 50
- 2018Learning to Sketch with Shortcut Cycle Consistencycited by 47
- 2021Rethinking Style Transfer: From Pixels to Parameterized Brushstrokescited by 42
- 2021Modern Evolution Strategies for Creativity: Fitting Concrete Images and Abstract Conceptscited by 40
- 2019ColorNet: Investigating the importance of color spaces for image classificationcited by 31
- 2019Neural Painters: A learned differentiable constraint for generating brushstroke paintingscited by 28
- 2022StyleCLIPDraw: Coupling Content and Style in Text-to-Drawing Translationcited by 28
- 2022Face Generation and Editing with StyleGAN: A Surveycited by 27
- 2019Unsupervised Doodling and Painting with Improved SPIRALcited by 21
- 2021Differentiable Drawing and Sketchingcited by 20
- 2020Content Masked Loss: Human-Like Brush Stroke Planning in a Reinforcement Learning Painting Agentcited by 15
- 2020Combining Semantic Guidance and Deep Reinforcement Learning For Generating Human Level Paintingscited by 13
- 2022CLIP-CLOP: CLIP-Guided Collage and Photomontagecited by 11
- 2022Planning with RL and episodic-memory behavioral priorscited by 8
- 2021Generative Art Using Neural Visual Grammars and Dual Encoderscited by 6
- 2021Intelli-Paint: Towards Developing Human-like Painting Agentscited by 6
- 2018Unsupervised Image to Sequence Translation with Canvas-Drawer Networkscited by 5
- 2019PaintBot: A Reinforcement Learning Approach for Natural Media Paintingcited by 4
- 2019LPaintB: Learning to Paint from Self-Supervisioncited by 4
- 2019Evolved Art with Transparent, Overlapping, and Geometric Shapescited by 3
- 2022Faces: AI Blitz XIII Solutionscited by 2
Built on by
Citing papers per year: 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1.
4 papers.
- 2023Shape complexity estimation using VAEcited by 4
- 2024Lane Graph Extraction from Aerial Imagery via Lane Segmentation Refinement with Diffusion Modelscited by 4
- 2025Vectorized Region Based Brush Strokes for Artistic Renderingcited by 1
- 2026PaintCopilot: Modeling Painting as Autonomous Artistic Continuationcited by 0
- 2026PaintCopilot: Modeling Painting as Autonomous Artistic Continuation20 May 2026
- 2025Vectorized Region Based Brush Strokes for Artistic Rendering11 Jun 2025
- 2024Lane Graph Extraction from Aerial Imagery via Lane Segmentation Refinement with Diffusion Models1 May 2024
- 2023Shape complexity estimation using VAE5 Apr 2023