Research notebook

Art × Engineering — early stage research

I’m Niall — BA in Drawing, starting a Master’s in Engineering. I make paintings and experimental devices that explore perception, heat, and magnetic fields. This site is a live lab notebook: unfinished, honest, and evolving.

See current work Read the log

Work

Coil and thermochromic surface test from Magnetic Heat Drawings
Prototype

Magnetic Heat Drawings (Iris)

Drawing with induction coils and thermochromic surfaces. Ongoing exploration of heat as a medium. Project page ↓

Grid-based color painting study
Study

Color Gamut Paintings

Grid compositions linking digital palette extraction and physical paint. Project page ↓

Notebook with sketches and circuit diagrams
Notes

Technical Dialogue

Short texts connecting studio practice with engineering concepts. Open section ↓

Project — Magnetic Heat Drawings (Iris)

Role & tools: coils, MOSFET ZVS driver, thermochromic pigments, AC supply

Statement: Can heat behave like ink? I’m exploring magnetic fields as “brushes” that leave transient or permanent traces.

What’s here now: breadboard electronics, coil prototypes, first surface tests

Next: stable driver, coil matrix, 2‑month endurance

Research

First coil prototype on bench Thermochromic surface heat trace test ZVS driver breadboard close-up Matrix planning sketch

Project — Color Gamut Paintings

Idea: From digital palette extraction to layered paint. How algorithms and hand change color perception.

Now: small studies, indexed‑color tests, large grid experiments

Studies

Small color study on paper Indexed color palette test Large grid painting in progress

Technical Dialogue — short essays

Open the full Research Log

Research Log

Rough notes, tests, and failures. Weekly when possible.

First endurance test on coil matrix

27 Oct 2025

What I tried

  • 30‑minute continuous run at target frequency
  • Thermochromic response on surface #2

Observations

  • Driver stable after adding snubbers
  • Uneven heat distribution on row 3

Next

  • Balance coil impedances
  • Test alternative pigment batch

About

I studied Drawing (BA, La Cambre) and I’m starting a Master’s in Engineering in Brussels. My practice sits between painting, electronics, and design. I’m building a studio that treats technology as a material for perception. This site is a lab notebook where prototypes, studies, and finished works coexist.

  • Honest process — I publish notes and prototypes.
  • Bridging languages — art methods × engineering rigor.
  • Accessible tech — discrete circuits and clear docs.

CV (concise)

Education

  • BA Drawing — La Cambre, Brussels
  • M.Eng (in progress) — Industrial Electronics, ECAM/ISIB

Skills

  • Drawing, acrylic/oil layering
  • Basic electronics (induction, power circuits), LTspice
  • Photoshop/Illustrator; React (portfolio experiments)

Exhibitions / Presentations

Add 3–5 items when ready — or mark as “upcoming”.

Contact

Email: hello@niallscaife-studio.com

Instagram: @yourhandle