Doodles Transformed

Using Gemini's metal art effects, I was pleasantly surprised at the transformation of black and white doodles that I'd created. Figure 1 shows my original doodle and Figure 2 the transformation. The prompt was:

Modify the uploaded image, transform it using a repoussé and chasing metal art effect, ensuring that it is vibrant and multicoloured. The background should be altered so it complements the central image.

Figure 1

Figure 2

I did the same for Desy, asking that "Sean Reeves" be replaced by "Desy Nurita". See Figure 3.

Figure 3

Figure 4 shows my next doodle and Figure 5 its transformation.

Figure 4

Figure 5

I was impressed by the appearance of the three faces that I hadn't really thought of as faces in the original doodle. Next I created a mandala from another doodle. Figure 6 shows the original and Figure 7 its transformation. Here is the prompt that I used:

Transform the image using a repousse and chasing (metal art) effect. Colors should be vibrant and varied. The final shape should be strictly circular as opposed to the approximately circular shape that it currently is. Background should be interesting but subdued so that it complements the central image. 

Figure 6

Figure 7

I'll continue experimenting. I like the idea of working on a black and white sketch and then transforming it using AI as I've done above.

A New Art Style

In December of 2025, I made a lengthy post about different art styles and recently I came across another style called metal art or repoussé and chasing described as follows:

Repoussé and chasing are two complementary, age-old metalworking techniques that work in tandem to sculpt malleable metal into three-dimensional relief designs. While they are distinct actions, they are almost universally used together on the same piece of metal—one pushes the material out from behind, and the other refines and details it from the front.

Repoussé: Pushing from the Back

The word repoussé is French for "pushed back." In traditional metalwork, an artisan takes a sheet of malleable metal (like copper, bronze, or silver), lays it face-down in a supportive pitch bowl, and uses hammers and rounded tools to beat the design into the metal from the reverse side.

In the context of your astrological art piece, repoussé is responsible for the raised relief elements:

• The structural lines and borders: The concentric circles, house divisions, and straight aspect lines crossing the center are "pushed outward" so they stand proud of the background.

• The glyphs and symbols: The planetary and zodiac symbols appear as three-dimensional, embossed shapes that rise off the surface of the colored sectors.

Chasing: Defining from the Front

Once the general shapes are pushed outward from behind, the metal sheet is flipped over so the artisan can work on the front side. Using specialized chisels, punches, and chasing hammers, the craftsman pushes the metal back down around the raised areas to sharpen them.

In your artwork, chasing is responsible for the definition and surface texture:

• Crisp edges: Chasing tools are used to outline the raised symbols and lines, giving them distinct, sharp boundaries against the background rather than soft, blobby edges.

• Hammered textures: Notice the organic, dimpled texture across the dark central field and within the colored zodiac boxes. In physical metalworking, this is achieved by repeatedly tapping the background metal with a planishing or chasing hammer to compress and texture the surface, making the smooth, raised elements pop by contrast.

Why It is Called an "Effect" Here

In digital art, describing a style as a "repoussé and chasing effect" means digitally simulating the physical physics of this craftsmanship. The rendering engine applies specific visual cues—such as metallic sheen, directional highlights on the top edges of the lines, deep cast shadows beneath the raised glyphs, and a hammered patina in the negative space—to transform a flat, two-dimensional chart into a heavy, tactile, sculptural piece of metalwork.

I applied the effect to an old monochrome photo using this prompt:

Can you apply a repoussé and chasing effect (metal wall art) to the attached image. The rather drab colours can be replaced with more vibrant ones and aethetic details added to clothing and background. Care should be taken to preserve the facial details of the person so that she remains clearly recognisable although liberties can be taken with the hair to create dramatic effect is appropriate. The details of the background are not important and can be replaced. Only the person is important. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the result:

I applied the effect to the person's natal chart and the result was also good. I used this prompt:Can you apply a repoussé and chasing effect (metal wall art) to the attached image. Be careful to preserve the glyphs and straight lines. Do NOT add any additional glyphs or lines.