This was the first day of the residency of the New Fordist Organization at Vrije Academie/GEMAK in The Hague.

Today research was begun into the improvements of efficiency in painting. Using the Time and Motion Study techniques developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor and Frank Gilbreth to calculate the optimum brush sizes, and brush lengths for efficient painting. A set of random brush strokes were generated by the computer, projected onto a large sheet of paper (120x90cm using a resolution of 4 pixels/cm), and painted over by a test subject, using brushes of varying sizes. The time taken for each brush stroke was then recorded by the computer and correlated with both the length of the brush stroke, the brush size, and the total area covered. Although the results have not been fully analyzed, some preliminary results can be seen below:

Fig. 1 Chart showing the correlation between length of brush stroke and time taken to paint it with brushes of five different sizes (all brush sizes are in pixels - their equivalent in standardized sizes is acheived by multiplying them by 2)

The ratios between the Area and the time taken to paint were then calculated to give a comparable ration that could be used to compare brushes of all sizes by weighting the area they are able to cover in paint against their speed. These results are plotted below.

Fig. 2 Chart showing Brush Stroke Length against Speed of Painting (area covered/time taken)

Although further analysis is needed, it can be seen that their is a distinct plateau in speed increas that occurs around brush stroke lengths of 150 pixels. This is presumable the point past which the original quantity of paint loaded onto the brush is exhausted, and the brush must be refilled, thus retarding efficiency.

As well as Time Study, some preliminary tests into the use of Gilbreth's methodology for the study of painting were carried out. Below are some of the chronocyclegraphs created. We used a light strobing at around 200ms.

Fig. 3 Chronocyclegraph of painting motion. Notice the two refills of paint onto the brush needed to complete this line - a movement which could be improved.

Fig. 4 Chronocyclegraph of painting motion. Here both the refills and the decrease in speed when the brush comes into contact with the paper can be seen.

Fig. 5 Chronocyclegraph of painting motion. A small line is painted, note the looping motion between the paint container and the paper.

Below are the total results from the time studies of painting:

Fig 6. Total Time Study Results