Digitalisation of Painting Path Topography for Numerical Modelling of Low-Relief Surfaces

The methodology presented in this article involves the digitalization of painting path topography created using various brushes on different canvases. Measurements were conducted using a blue structured light scanner. Preliminary test scans were performed to determine the optimal digitalization parameters, including exposure time, number of exposures, and scanning resolution. A resolution of 0.08 mm was selected as the minimum point spacing, which was sufficient for both modelling and application use. This scanning process enabled the capture of surface deformations, including path fading and topographic variations arising from interactions between brush bristles, paint, and the canvas substrate—even in cases of partial paint coverage. The resulting 3D model was integrated into an application designed to replicate the glazing technique in painting.