Bill, The Robot Artist
The theme of the Pixar's RenderMan Art Challenge was technology and its evolution
Introduction
The theme of this challenge immediately caught my attention, as it resonated with two of my favorite things: robots and hard-surface design. It was a natural fit for me, so I jumped into the creative process without needing much convincing.
As I thought about what kind of story I wanted to tell, the current discussions surrounding artificial intelligence quickly surfaced in my mind. That became the foundation for my concept.
I imagined a future where a robot could be more than just a machine, where it could experience emotions and create art. That idea led to the creation of Bill, an advanced robot with a unique sensitivity and a talent for artistic expression. Inspired by the intricate network of cables connected to computers, he paints abstract works in a style similar to Jackson Pollock.
Pre Production
References
I then gathered a large number of references, including Jackson Pollock's paintings and various other sources that I found interesting. After that, the idea of a symmetrical, circular composition came to mind. I'm very interested in the cyberpunk aspect. Cornelius was a great inspiration.
Production
To me, Pollock’s drip technique perfectly embodies what art is all about. It’s spontaneous, fleeting, and full of unpredictability, a raw, physical process. These are things AI simply can’t replicate. It can’t step out of a computer and throw paint onto a canvas in a moment of inspiration.
Bill represents the ultimate convergence of human emotion and artificial intelligence. He’s the proof that a robot could not only feel, but also communicate those emotions through artistic expression.
Modeling
So I placed my character and his tableau at the centre of my frame, inspired by Kubrick's symmetrical compositions. I used an 80 mm focal length.
Vellum modeling in Houdini :
Lookdev
For the lookdev, I kept it fairly basic by treating my textures realistically. I used Substance Painter.
Maya Hypershade, Robot shader :
Directe Diffuse
Directe Specular
Lighting
The dramatic atmosphere in the image comes largely from the use of chiaroscuro lighting. I drew inspiration from both classic film noir and the intense contrasts found in Caravaggio’s work. Visually, I was also influenced by the mood and aesthetics of series and films like Stranger Things and Blade Runner.
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The Caravaggio
Color played a key role in the image as well. The overall blue tone adds a sense of drama and reflects the cold, sometimes hostile nature of technology. In contrast, the center of the image, where the painting lies, is filled with saturated primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These colors carry strong narrative weight. The painting symbolizes the character’s breakthrough and the emotional intensity Pollock infused into his work.
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for Jackson Pollock, not just for his art, but for his entire philosophy. His work is about movement, impermanence, and raw physicality, things that AI fundamentally lacks. This led me to a key question: What would a robot actually paint? That thought guided me as I tried to capture and reproduce what that might look like as authentically as possible.
I added a PXR Volume to create a dustier atmosphere and accentuate the light well, and dust effects were added to enhance the god ray. I've gotten into the habit of creating a scene without and one with PXR Volume, where all the MSHs are in PXR Black (without shader, just a black diffuse, to have the volume interact with the objects in the scene).
FX simulation on Houdini :
AOV's for Nuke
Result in Renderman
Post Production
Nuke
My biggest sources of inspiration come from horror and thriller films. I’m particularly drawn to the work of directors like James Gray, David Fincher, Andy Muschietti, and Guillermo del Toro, filmmakers with a distinct and personal storytelling style. I’m fascinated by artists who express their vision in unique ways, whether through music, visuals, or other creative forms. Film scores are also a major influence on my process, Alexandre Desplat, for example, is one of my favorite composers. I often like to imagine a soundtrack for an image I’m creating, as if it were part of a larger narrative.
I truly believe that artistic culture is fundamental to our work, whether it's painting, cinema, literature, or simply nurturing curiosity. Strong references help fuel our imagination and give depth to our creations. They feed the subconscious. Personally, I’m especially drawn to films with striking visual direction and immersive atmospheres.
Seven, David Fincher, 1996
Stranger Things, Netlfix
Grading :
Harry Potter And The Half-blood Prince, Warner Bros, 2009
Stranger Things, Netlfix
Node Graph
I used the template that you can find for FREE in the shop. For more details on how it works, I recommend you take a look at it.
Final Result :
Walking Teapot by Dylan Sisson. Assets by Joshua Mills and Eugene Riecansky © Disney/Pixar - RenderMan "SciTech" Art Challenge
Credits
Margot BRUN
Sotfwares : Maya, Photoshop, Substance Painter, Mari Foundry, Houdini, Renderman, Nuke