Automatic extraction of brushstroke orientation from paintingsPOET: prevailing orientation extraction technique

Spatial characteristics play a major role in the human analysis of paintings. One of the main spatial characteristics is the pattern of brushstrokes. The orientation, shape, and distribution of brushstrokes are important clues for analysis. This paper focuses on the automatic extraction of the orientation of brushstrokes from digital reproductions of paintings. We present a novel technique called the (prevailing orientation extraction technique (POET)). The technique is based on a straightforward circular filter and a dedicated orientation extraction phase; it performs at a level that is undistinguishable from that of humans. From our experimental results we may conclude that POET supports the automatic extraction of the spatial distribution of oriented brushstrokes. Such an automatic extraction will aid art experts in their analysis of paintings.