What is Genetic Painter?
Genetic Painter is a free browser-based tool that uses a genetic algorithm — an optimization technique inspired by natural selection — to reconstruct any image using only simple geometric shapes. Upload a photo, click Start, and watch as thousands of randomly placed shapes gradually evolve into a faithful reproduction of your image, all running directly in your browser.
Each iteration, a random shape is painted with a random position, size, color, and transparency. If the shape makes the painting look more like the original, it's kept. If not, it's discarded. Over thousands of generations, this simple process of mutation and selection produces surprisingly detailed artwork — a hands-on demonstration of evolutionary principles in action.
Learn how the algorithm works or jump straight in by uploading an image above.
See It in Action
Here's Charles Darwin — a fitting subject for a genetic algorithm — reconstructed with circles at different stages of evolution:
Original
~100 shapes
~1,000 shapes
In just 1,000 accepted shapes, Darwin's face and beard are already recognizable. With tens of thousands more, the painting becomes remarkably detailed. See more examples or follow our step-by-step tutorial.
Why Shapes Instead of Pixels?
While you could reconstruct an image pixel by pixel, using shapes creates a much more interesting visual process. Overlapping semi-transparent shapes blend together to approximate colors and gradients that no single shape could produce on its own. This constraint gives the results their distinctive painterly quality, reminiscent of pointillism or impressionist art.
You can experiment with five different shape types — circles, triangles, squares, stars, or a mixed mode — each producing a unique artistic style. Adjust the radius sliders to control how large or small the shapes are, and watch how different settings dramatically change the result.
Read our FAQ for tips on getting the best results.