Illustrator Lan Truong Explores Pen Plotter Technology to Create Hybrid Digital-Physical Artworks

Illustrator Lan Truong has been experimenting with pen plotters, mechanical drawing devices, to transform her digital illustrations into physical artworks. She began working with these machines last year after discovering them on social media. Truong uses image processing software to adapt her digital files for the plotters, then explores various media including paint, markers, and inks. While some artists create generative art through coding with plotters, Truong focuses on translating her existing illustrations, describing the results as 'handmade with a machine.' Her work demonstrates how mechanical processes can retain human-like qualities through intentional modifications in mark-making and medium selection.