Pointillism Techniques; Definition and How To
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Pointillism Techniques - Painting with Dots
Pointillism is a painting method of placing dots on the painting surface to achieve various affects.
The dots can be placed singly, in rows, or randomly. The dots can also be placed by themselves or overlapping. You can also mix up the options.
The dots used can also vary in size. They can be uniform in size, or they also can be varied in the same painting.
I have also seen pointillism made with small dots of a raised medium, that were painted after the medium has dried.
Pointillism is painting with dots
The dots can be various sizes
The dots can be spread out or close together.The dots can be different sizes and different colors.
Some pointillism paintings are done monochromatic, all in one color.
Use Sponge Paint Markers
for a quick and easy way to make large dots.
There are a couple of ways that I know of to achieve the larger dots.
One is to paint with round sponge tips by dipping them in the paint and then dabbing them on to the painting surface. To have the sponges last longer, wet them first and squeeze out the excess water, before dipping them in the paint. Be sure to clean them afterwords, according to the type paint that was used; water for watercolor paints, soap and water for acrylics.
A second way, is using Sponge Paint Markers. The paint is already in the bottle, ready to use.
One is to paint with round sponge tips by dipping them in the paint and then dabbing them on to the painting surface. To have the sponges last longer, wet them first and squeeze out the excess water, before dipping them in the paint. Be sure to clean them afterwords, according to the type paint that was used; water for watercolor paints, soap and water for acrylics.
A second way, is using Sponge Paint Markers. The paint is already in the bottle, ready to use.
Chenille Kraft Sponge Paint Markers
Amazon Price: $12.27 (as of 02/17/2012)
This Chenille Kraft Sponge Paint Marker Set is washable and includes the Colors - Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, and Red.
I think this looks like a great size for painting on poster board.
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Markers are a convenient way to paint a lot of dots.
The larger the marker tip, the larger the dot.
The smaller the marker tip, the smaller the dot.
Smaller dots render a more intricate painting.
Regular markers are fine for paper and canvas. When painting on fabric, acrylic paint for fabric and acrylic paint pens will bleed less.
Smaller dots render a more intricate painting.
Regular markers are fine for paper and canvas. When painting on fabric, acrylic paint for fabric and acrylic paint pens will bleed less.
Pointillism with focused direction
The dots can be placed in a specific direction
The butterflies in this painting were painted with small uniform dots. The dots were laid down pretty much in the direction of the patterns on the wings, with minimal spacing in between.This painting was done using a small stylus that was dipped into the paint first. I usually got two dots done with one dip into the paint.
I painted the leaves, flowers, and stems, using regular brush strokes.
Very small dots are made using a small stylus
or ultra fine tip paint pens, markers, and pencils.
Small dots can be made a number of ways. One can use a pen, an ultra fine tip marker, and/or a stylus with paint.The stylus is used by dipping the stylus tip into the paint and then applying that to the painting surface. Depending on how the stylus is held and how much paint is on the stylus, will have an affect on the shape and size of the the dot.
I like using a Double Ended Stylus so that I can make different size small dots.
Organized Pointillism
Dots can be painted in rows
In this pointillism rendering of a heart, the dots are organized in horizontal and vertical rows. I placed graph paper under the image while painting on a light box, as an aid in achieving this affect.The lines of the graph need to be dark enough to see through to the painting surface. I made a re-usable graph for this on a sheet of clear vinyl.
An aid for Organized Pointillism - Plastic Canvas
Plastic canvas provides a plastic grid
Using Plastic Canvas
is another way of having organized dots. Once I've lined the plastic canvas up to where I want it, I hold it in place and use the holes as the guide for where to place the stylus or fine pointed marker. Using a Light Tracer Box
helps one to see patterns through to their drawing surface.
A Light Tracer Box helps to see a bottom design or pattern through the surface that you're painting or drawing on.
Random and Overlapping Pointillism
Dots can be overlapping
The dots in the kayak scene were not only random, they are also overlapping. You can also have random dots that don't overlap.I drew the initial outline of the kayaks, people, and paddles in with watercolor pencils. I then easily wiped off the watercolor outlines from the canvas with a damp paper towel once the painting had dried.
Paint Pens Make More Uniform Dots
Paint pens bleed less than regular markers.
Paint pens are a fun way to do pointillism; it saves time in having to dip the brush or stylus into paint. It also has it's own affect, producing more uniform dots. The size will vary with the marker size. The smaller the dots, the more delicate the affect.
I used paint pens in painting the Kayak Scene, above.
I used paint pens in painting the Kayak Scene, above.
Elmer's Painter's Craft, Medium
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 02/17/2012)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Pointillism can be used to help something to stand out
and appear more delicate
In this painting of a single butterfly, the butterfly is the only part of the picture that is done in pointillism. In this picture, the pointillism helps the butterfly to appear more delicate since this is the part that is letting more light through. Pointillism can be used as an added touch to add dimension.
Dots can be painted on a solid background
On this design, I first painted light base coatings. Then I painted with darker dots over the various base coats.
Red rose in pointillism, postcards by Cherylsart
Red rose in pointillism, postcards by Cherylsart
The first instrument used for pointillism
was a paint brush
The paint brush was the first instrument used for pointillism painting. The brush end can be used for a less uniform dot, and also the end of the handle for a more uniform dot.The Black Gold® Series 206R Rounds - Size 10 will make a pretty good size dot.
The smaller the number on the brush size, the smaller the dot will be. As the number size increases, the brush head will increase, as will the dot size.
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
by George Seurat
(11x14) George Seurat (La Grande Jatte) Art Print Poster
Amazon Price: $2.94 (as of 02/17/2012)
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Read more about Suerat
known not only as a Master of Pointillism
Georges Seurat, the master of Pointillism, came up with the idea of Divisionism. "A Sunday Afternoon at the Ile de La Grande Jatte" is one of his famous works. However, Suerat also created many other types of art, that you can read about in the book, Georges Seurat: The Drawings
.
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lol69186918
Feb 12, 2012 @ 2:38 pm | delete
- it is a magnificent style.
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CreativeArtist Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- I agree.
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james
Feb 12, 2012 @ 2:23 pm | delete
- hi
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blob
Feb 12, 2012 @ 2:22 pm | delete
- I have already tried this method but it is so boring
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CreativeArtist Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- It can be. I have found the random method, with paint markers, to be more interesting, especially with some cool music to listen to.
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BarbRad
Dec 3, 2011 @ 2:06 pm | delete
- It looks like an interesting method. I have to admit I'd never heard of pointillism before now, so I learned something. It would be fun to have time to learn to paint.
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Serenity30
Oct 26, 2011 @ 1:49 pm | delete
- Beautiful artwork! I have tried this method with a brush rubbed on water color pencils. And felt tipped black pen.
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- I imagine that the pictures made with a brush rubbed on water color pencils would be very pretty. Thank you for sharing your tip.
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VacuolateTuna
Oct 25, 2011 @ 6:20 am | delete
- Fantastic article and a great resource for painters. I had not thought about using a paint pen to create pointillist pieces! I use pointillism myself in my space art. Would you mind if I feature your lens within my own "Space Art, Astronomical Art and Cosmic Art: An Overview" as a resource for aspiring artists?
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- You're welcome to feature it. Thank you.
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