# Variational Quantum Brushes

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.24173 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.24173/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 3 of its 39 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 30 Dec 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Variational Quantum Algorithms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2012.09265/) (2020)
- [Ising formulations of many NP problems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1302.5843/) (2013)
- [Variational Quantum Harmonizer: Generating Chord Progressions and Other Sonification Methods with the VQE Algorithm](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.12254/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

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.