Prototype

The initial concept of filling the hidden figures and background was to employ AI and machine learning. However, my initial tests yielded results that were far from satisfactory. Upon reflection, I realized that attempting to replicate Rembrandt's painting style precisely wouldn't sufficiently engage the audience since each audience has their own perspective to the painting. Moreover, palely mimicking Rembrandt’s technique digitally felt inappropriate for a thesis project. A conversation with Louise Rice from NYU's Department of History was enlightening; she shared a video (below) that suggested adopting a playful and fun approach for the film. This idea resonates with my ongoing project, 'lol.portraits,' where I draw portraits for people with amateur lines. The relationship between these simple lines and Rembrandt’s grand color schemes will create a stark contrast between contemporary and traditional art. This juxtaposition has always fascinated me — exploring how to represent an Old Master's painting in a playful, amateur manner and contrasting these two styles. This approach allows me to inject my own perspective into the process. Nevertheless, it's crucial that the original painting, Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch,' be ultimately displayed unaltered — as a gesture of celebration, homage, and utmost respect to the Old Masters in Dutch Golden Age.