10 Questions with Oleg Borisov

When Oleg was 12, his father gave him a camera. Since then, he has been interested in photography for life. And he chose a profession related to images - a doctor - radiologist. He looks at X-rays like a photographer, and vice versa, the radiologist's gaze helps him see details invisible to an ordinary person.

But Oleg has always been interested in new technologies and the development of AI has pushed him to create digital paintings from his photographs. Creating works in various styles, machine learning, developing his own models have become a new round in Oleg's creativity.
He never tires of studying new software products for image processing, exploring the works of classical artists and creating his own unforgettable views of various tourist spots based on this. This is his debut as a digital artist.

www.photodrawn.art | @photodrawn_art

ARTIST STATEMENT

Oleg's artworks are about curiosity and attention to detail, about learning about the world, about the history of places and admiration for the beautiful corners of Europe. This is a passion for travel that he wants to infect others with.

In his works, Oleg strives to emphasize various details, sometimes invisible to the eye. Watercolor prints created from photographs carry more emotions and mood, showing the artist's vision. He tries to convey the feeling of the place, to capture its magic.

Oleg creates his works with the help of AI. But each of them is a painstaking creative process, a combination of the artist's view and the possibilities of modern technology, the use of many methods of image processing.

The debate between traditional art and digital art will continue forever. It is impossible to win. Digital art is new opportunities given to the artist. And they must certainly be used.

The active development of web3 technologies in tourism opens up new horizons for the artist, for communicating with like-minded people and creating new products based on digital art.

Colmar, France, digital art, 2024 © Oleg Borisov

INTERVIEW

Let's start with your background. Your journey with photography started when you were 12. What was it about photography that captured your interest so deeply?

Those were the days of analogue photography. I photographed different views and landscapes and then developed the photos myself. The development of images on photo paper fascinated me. I experimented with reagents, just as I now experiment with various photo editing programs.

As a radiologist, you work with images in a very different way. How has your medical profession influenced your artistic vision?

My profession has taught me to be very attentive to details. I know the physics of the process of the world of half-shadows. But when I am in my doctor's office, I miss the colours of the world. And, perhaps, this is what inspires me to create - the chance to play with light and colour.

Paris, France, digital art, 2023 © Oleg Borisov

More recently, what inspired you to transition from photography to digital painting using AI?

I have loved to draw since childhood, my drawings in sanguine and pastel were exhibited at school exhibitions. Unfortunately I felt the lack of skills and it was stopping me from the realization of everything that was on my mind. But I was always interested in new technologies. And, of course, the development of AI attracted my attention both professionally and creatively. I became interested in what a machine can be taught. I studied thousands of works created by neural networks. And 90% of them did not attract my attention. Then, I selected paintings by authors who admired me and began to train neural networks on them.

Your work combines photography, AI, and classical artistic influences. How do you balance technology with traditional artistic sensibilities?

The machine never produces a final work that would completely satisfy me. I always refine the details myself to get exactly what I imagine. And I find the belief that machines will create instead of us rather controversial. Only the author decides which version of machine art suits him, depending on his personal artistic taste and vision.

Minerve, France, digital art, 2024 © Oleg Borisov

Zaanse Schans, Netherlands, digital art, 2024 © Oleg Borisov

How do you decide which photographs to transform into digital paintings? Is there a particular mood or theme you try to convey?

The idea of my project was born at the intersection of my second passion - travelling. I try to show people new places that they have not noticed. Not every photo turns out to be a good picture. The composition, the presence (or absence) of details and lighting are important here. Then memories or some interesting information about the place I have alreadyvisited come, and that's how an idea is born. And then there is the creativity, patience and mastery of the "tools".

What role does machine learning play in your creative process? Do you develop your own models with a specific artistic goal in mind?

I am constantly refining my models. I create different prompts for one painting and compare different techniques. And then, in the post-processing, I use different techniques, depending on my idea.

Odette, Paris, France, digital art, 2023 © Oleg Borisov

You are constantly exploring new software and techniques. What recent discovery has excited you the most?

Graphic neural networks are developing extremely rapidly. New versions appear every week. But usually, attention is paid to neural networks "text to image". In my works, I use the "image to image" option, which is used less often. I prefer the neural network "Stable Diffusion", it seems more flexible - a lot of settings allow me to implement the idea more accurately.

How do people react to your AI-generated artworks? Have any responses surprised you?

One day, we got into a debate about wires and antennas over houses. They usually irritate me terribly, especially when it comes to small medieval towns. And, since I am the one in charge of my own paintings, I removed all the wires that wereon my way. My subscriber was outraged by such frivolity. Now, I approach this issue more carefully.

Do you see your digital works as an extension of photography or as an entirely new artistic medium?

Definitely, I consider it a separate artistic direction. I am developing my photography technique, but creating digital works for me is another kind of art in which I also do not want to stop.

Finally, what are your next steps as a digital artist? Are there any new projects or styles you're eager to explore?

I never stop exploring new styles. My plan is to create works that have volume and relief. I will try 3D printing, which will add texture to my works. And I hope to see my works at new exhibitions.
I am currently developing my project for web 3 technologies in tourism. I think such visualization of tourist places will be interesting for travelers and professionals in this industry. Web3travel is only at the beginning of its journey, but it is developing at a stunning pace and I believe that I can also make my contribution.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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