Making digital aquatint with the Ising model

Abstract

Aquatint is a printmaking technique that gives visual texture to prints. This patterning is shown to be similar to patterns that emerge from the Ising model of magnetism. We provide a concrete Python-based example that generates semi-realistic textures and can be used to manipulate existing images. Our experience in classrooms of first year seminar undergraduate students shows that this activity helps artistically inclined students to develop an interest in physics and computer science. It may also be suitable for a joint art and science project for high-school seniors.