How to Create Stunning 1024×1024 Images with Just Three 140‑Character C++ Functions

The "Tweetable Mathematical Art" contest, launched by Kyle McCormick on StackExchange, challenges participants to generate a 1024×1024 image using only three C++ functions—RD, GR, and BL—each limited to 140 characters. Each function receives integer coordinates i and j (0 ≤ i, j ≤ 1023) and must return a value between 0 and 255 representing the red, green, or blue component of the pixel at (i, j). The three functions are inserted into a provided driver program to produce the final picture.

Below are several notable submissions, each accompanied by the resulting image and the corresponding code (shown as images).

Martin Büttner’s first artwork:

Code:

Martin Büttner’s second artwork:

Code:

A Mandelbrot fractal generated with only a few characters:

Manuel Kasten’s zoomed‑in Mandelbrot view:

Code:

Another piece by Manuel Kasten:

Code:

Submission from githubphagocyte:

Code:

Another work by the same author:

A diffusion‑limited aggregation image (code uses clever macro tricks to stay within the character limit):

Eric Tressler’s Feigenbaum bifurcation generated from a logistic map:

Code (also uses macro tricks to compress the implementation):