While Impressionist artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet often made use of tiny dabs and strokes of paint as part of their technique, the Pointillist style extended this idea further. As an art technique, Pointillism
Pointillism
Pointillism /ˈpɔɪntᵻlɪzəm/ is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat and Paul Signac developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism. The term "Pointillism" was first coined by art critics in the l…
Who was the first artist to paint with dots?
You are probably thinking of George Seurat (1859 - 1891), the 'neoimpressionist’ painter who developed the theory of painting called divisionism. A popular term for one form of Divisionism is pointillism. Seurat is by no means the only artist who painted with dots.
How do you paint with dots?
Painting with dots, also known as pointillism, can be done using a Q-tip or a very small paintbrush. Create a painting inspired by pointillism with a demonstration from an award-winning artist in this free video on painting with acrylics.
What is a Dotdot painting?
Dot painting is a very popular rock painting technique. From intricate Mandala styles to simple sunsets, there is something for all skill levels. People who are just learning how to paint rocks may feel a bit intimidated by this style of stone painting.
What is an example of dots in art?
A well-known example of Dotted Art is Aboriginal art, which made use of dots and stipples within the famous rock paintings. However, Dotted Art is used to refer to the work of amateur artists today, as the term places less pressure and expectation on the works that are produced as opposed to labeling them as Pointillism art.

What artist painted using dots?
Pointillism was a revolutionary painting technique pioneered by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac in Paris in the mid-1880s.
Did Monet paint dots?
While Impressionist artists like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet often made use of tiny dabs and strokes of paint as part of their technique, the Pointillist style extended this idea further.
What famous artist used Pointillism?
There were two principle artists who saw to the Pointillist tradition being carried on: Pierre Seurat and Paul Signac.
Who are the 2 famous Pointillism artists?
Georges Seurat and Paul Signac's practice and paintings led to the emergence of Pointillism, usually associated with the year 1886. Both artists used this style earlier, but it was art critics who coined the term in order to describe their extraordinary innovative approach to canvas and paint.
What is the dot painting?
Dot art is a style of aboriginal art that makes extensive use of dots of colour. It is a practice of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they visually blend together. You would have heard or tried various forms of art like portraits, sketching, knife paintings and many more.
Where is dot painting from?
central AustraliaYou'll be surprised to learn that dot painting on canvas emerged in central Australia only in the early 1970s as a result of Aboriginal people working together with a white art school teacher, Geoffrey Bardon.
Who is the father of Pointillism?
Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat, (born December 2, 1859, Paris, France—died March 29, 1891, Paris), painter, founder of the 19th-century French school of Neo-Impressionism whose technique for portraying the play of light using tiny brushstrokes of contrasting colours became known as Pointillism.
What was the first pointillism painting?
Théo van Rysselberghe: Late-nineteenth century painter Théo van Rysselberghe also utilized the pointillist style of painting. His first painting to feature the pointillist dot technique was his Portrait of Alice Sethe (1888).
What does Claude Monet paint?
Monet worked primarily in oil paint, but he also used pastels and carried a sketchbook. He used quite a limited range of colors in his paintings, banishing browns and earth colors from his palette.
What elements of art did Claude Monet use?
Claude Monet was the leader of the French Impressionist movement. Which started in 1874. Painters of this movement painted in the open air to capture the changing qualities of natural light & atmosphere. Color was applied in small, loose brushstrokes to create qualities of light constantly reflecting in nature.
Why did Monet destroy his paintings?
His friend and former French Prime Minister Georges Clémenceau told a journalist in 1927, “Monet would attack his canvases when he was angry. And his anger was born of a dissatisfaction with his work… Monet destroyed canvases in his quest for perfection.”
How big is the painting Two Monkeys?
I am going to suggest the painting Two Monkeys from 1562 by Breughel the Elder (c. 1525-1569). It’s 20cm x 23cm.
How do we know Greek painting?
In particular a portrait of Alexander he is known to have painted. We know them through description in the literature of the period and they were highly regarded. We know Greek painting through the work of Greek artists working in Alexandria in Egypt doing portraits for burials. The so called Fayum paintings. These have survived and some of them are amazing. Remember this is similar to knowing Renaissance art, the genius of a Raphael or Michelangelo through the work of a provincial artist working in a similar style.
What is Cubism art?
In Cubist artwork, objects are analyzed, broken down, and reassembled into an abstract form - rather than depicting objects from a single point of view, the artist approaches the subject from multiple perspectives to represent the subject in a greater context. Cubism has been considered one of the most influential art movement of the 20th century. The term is widely used in collaboration with a wide variety of arts produced in or near Paris during 1910 and the 1920s.
What is Seurat's most famous work?
Seurat's most famous work is "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" ... which I've taken my family to see many times hanging in its home in the Chicago Art Institute. It’s s huge work — 7′ by 10′ — and very impressive and unusual.
Where did expressionism originate?
Expressionism is also a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in northern Europe in the early 20th century. Its distinguishing quality is to present the world from a subjective point of view, which radically distorts the emotional impact to produce moods or thoughts. Expressionist artists have sought to convey the meaning of emotional experience rather than physical reality.
Did Giotto visit the Vatican?
Yes, Giotto was visited by a cardinal, the emissary of the Pope, requesting that the artist accompany him to the Vatican so the the Holy Seer could assess his qualifications to be a Vatican Artist. In those days the Pope commanded great respect and one did not refuse a Papal command.
Who was the French artist who painted the morning interior?
Another prominent French artist who was significant within the Pointillism era was Maximilien Luce, who eventually returned to Impressionism once Pointillism began to decline. Within most of his Pointillist artworks, Luce depicted scenes of ordinary people at work. One of his most notable pieces, which shows a man getting ready for work in the morning, was Morning, Interior, painted in 1890. The man in this painting was said to be Luce’s close friend and fellow Neo-Impressionist artist, Gustave Perrot.
Who was Pissarro's pointillism?
It was at this point in his artistic style when Pissarro met Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, who had already begun to use the Pointillist technique. Pissarro readily embraced and implemented Pointillism in his works and was one of the artists whose works greatly stood out within the Pointillist group. A well-known Pointillism painting of his is Gelée Blanche, Jeune Paysanne Faisant du Feu, which he painted between 1887 and 1888.
What is the pointillism technique?
This art technique involved painting tiny yet distinct dots next to one another in order to form an image. Many artists began to adopt this technique of painting and after the 1890s, once Pointillism has reached its peak, it led the way to the development of the Fauvist art movement.
What is Van Gogh's pointillism?
A well-known painting of van Gogh’s that clearly demonstrates the use of Pointillism is his 1887 Self Portrait. Within this painting, van Gogh responded to Seurat’s iconic painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884), and made use of thick brushwork which would go on to become a trademark of his style.
What is Camille Pissarro's style?
Practicing within both the Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist movement, Danish-French artist Camille Pissarro perfected his technique of portraying the ordinary life within his paintings. Pissarro sought to explore new themes and methods that would allow him to break out of the contemporary painting style of his time, choosing to return to depictions of ordinary individuals in very realistic settings.
What color is the room in the Luce painting?
In an attempt to capture this light, Luce rendered the room in points of yellow, orange , and red, which creates a vibrant portrayal of the warmth brought forth by the light. Spots of light blue and violet can also be seen, which complement the warmer tones and further emphasize the light present.
What is the light in Madame France's dress?
The light, which is suggestive of a summer night, is represented by the twinkling lamps in the background, as well as the white rhododendron that is seen in the foreground. These areas of illumination are further contrasted with the dark colors that are used to depict Madame France’s dress, including the slight shadow that falls across her face. Within this painting, Cross was also able to create the illusion of depth and space, by portraying the chair at an angle, and the inclusion of the geometric shapes that cover the floor.
What is dot painting?
Dot painting is a very popular rock painting technique. From intricate Mandala styles to simple sunsets, there is something for all skill levels. People who are just learning how to paint rocks may feel a bit intimidated by this style of stone painting.
What to do when you paint a dot?
If you paint is too thick simply add a drop of water to your paint. When you place a dot the paint should settle into a nice little dome of paint.
Can you make a mandala with dots?
I personally have not created many dotted mandalas, but I have created with dots a few times in the past. There are lots of different ways you can create all the different sized dots you need.
How to dot paint on canvas?
When using a flat edge tool such as a dowel, only touch the top of the paint with the end of the dowel, if you dip it all the way in you will get paint on the edges and it will not create a clean dot. You only need paint on the very end surface (be sure to cover the whole surface) and when you dot it on your canvas be careful to not touch the canvas with your tool, the lighter the touch the better.
How to keep dots consistent in size?
When you want to keep your dots consistent in size in a ring, use the dip and dot dip and dot technique, wiping your tool regularly. When you want to create descending dots, dip once and dot dot dot until you run out of paint. Here is a basic design to follow that I use when I am teaching workshops for beginners….
What to use to clean dried paint off?
For dried on paint spots I use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swap, it cleans up quick and easy!
Can you find dot tools at home?
You can easily find tools at home to create beautiful dots. I still use many of the tools that I started with even after purchasing the dotting styluses and dowels. A tack stuck in an eraser at the end of a pencil is still hands down my favorite.
Can you paint on canvas?
Canvas – Honestly? Anything! The possibilities are literally endless with what you can paint on. I can’t go anywhere without discovering something new to paint on, my studio shelves are filled with blank ‘canvases’ just waiting for their beauty treatment. Rocks, wood, bowls, glasses, mugs, coasters, pendants, shall I go on? There is no doubt in my mind that you have something tucked away at home that could use a little mandala makeover

What Is Pointillism?
A History of Pointillism
- Primarily invented by French artists Georges Seurat and Paul Signacin 1886, Pointillism developed in response to the popular movement of Impressionism that dominated. Pointillism contrasted heavily against other art techniques that were created during the Impressionist movement, as it required a much more scientific approach to be taken by artists. Impressionism was still largely …
Technique and Practice of Pointillism
- Inspired by the Impressionist paintingsof the day, Seurat and Signac attempted to recreate paintings that depicted light in its changing qualities through a new technique, in order to produce paintings with overwhelming brightness. Seurat began to place small dabs and points of pure color onto a canvas in certain patterns that would transform into beautiful images when viewed …
Characteristics of Pointillism
- Pointillism was an Impressionist-inspired technique that looked to reinvent the way landscapes, portraits, and seascapes were painted within the Neo-Impressionist movement. Its name was influenced by art critic Félix Fénéon, who first used the expression “painting by dots” when attempting to describe this curious style of painting. Rather than mixi...
Understanding The Distinction Between Pointillism and Divisionism
- At certain times throughout art history, Pointillism has been incorrectly associated with Divisionism. This was because the technique of Divisionism, sometimes referred to as Chromoluminarism, emerged at the same time as Pointillism and was also thought to be part of the Post-Impressionismmovement. Divisionists made use of a similar approach when forming i…
Understanding The Distinction Between Pointillism and Dotted Art
- While Pointillism has been referred to as “famous dot painting” in the past, the technique is essentially the same thing as Dotted Art. The only difference that exists between these two terms is that “Pointillism” is used by art historians and collectors to refer to artworks that have used this technique, while “Dotted Art” is used in a more colloquial setting amongst the general public. A …
Famous Pointillism Artists and Their Paintings
- Many of the artworks that were created using the Pointillist technique exist as some of the most significant paintings to date. In this next section, we will be taking a look at and exploring some of the most well-known Pointillism artists and their infamous Pointillism art.
The Legacy of Pointillism
- By the 1890s, Pointillism art had reached its peak, as many artists of the time had adopted the technique in the artworks that were produced. Pointillism had a great influence on the Post-Impressionist movement, which had spilled into the beginning of the 20thcentury. After this, the style slowly faded out, as most artists started to experiment with other forms of artistic creation…
Influence of Pointillism on Contemporary Artists Today
- Within the modern era, many artists are loosely experimenting with the themes and ideas that were prominent in the Pointillism style. The primary concept of dots has been restructured to fit into a contemporary setting, with many artists making use of dots in various shapes and forms for a range of different purposes. Some artists have even created artworks based entirely on dots, d…
Further Reading
- If you have enjoyed reading about this fascinating and innovative art technique, we encourage you to further explore the development of Pointillism along with its iconic artists. Below, we have listed a book suggestion for you to look at. Additionally, if your children are also interested in finding out about this style, we have listed an age-appropriate book that details the technique an…