DOTS: The Start of Art
DOTS: The first and last step to becoming an artist.
Why?
DOTS are the simplest way to begin a drawing—one mark at a time. Each new DOT is an opportunity to adjust, to place the next more carefully. With DOTS, mistakes stay small, and the drawing grows through correction.
We grow as artists and DOTS take on new roles: a star in a galaxy, the twinkle of an eye, the shine on a vehicle. They finalize our work, carrying highlights and directing the eye, down to the smallest detail, like the tittle above a letter.
Goals of this section:
1. Learn to draw DOTS as an art form. No tails—just roundish marks.
2. Learn to manipulate DOTS with random placement—Being random is an art.
3. Learn to utilize DOTS for finishing touches, highlights, and more.
If you have never drawn anything in your life, then start with a DOT. Entire drawings can be created using DOTS. Draw one DOT and begin your artistic journey. If you wish to go further draw a second DOT. You can do this digitally or by using tactile methods like pencils, pens, charcoal or paint. Now, connect the DOTS, and you have a LINE.
Further Research: Lines, Planes, and Dimensions by Amanda Parker
By definition, a DOT is a distinct point made with a pointed instrument. DOTS are designed by artists. They can be uniform or varied in shape. They can be any color and any size. Often, varying the size or directional pull of a DOT, through light or weight, can add interest to an image.
- DOTS are the universal foundation of everything.
- Combine DOTS to create images, textures, lines, and forms.
- Artists use DOTS to create a foundation for everything that follows.
- Use DOTS in unexpected ways to evolve artistic style.
TRY IT:
Draw or paint several DOTS on paper or digit canvas.
↓ AFTER DRAWING 40-50 DOTS—READ BELOW ↓
What do you see?
Can you see the faint design of a grid and/or even spacing?
Truly random dot placement is an art! To avoid a grid or dice-like appearance try varying dot spacing—some close together, some farther apart. We guide randomness to mimic Earth's natural elements.
Types of Dot Art
- Pointillism – A technique where DOTS of any color form any image.
- Stippling – Specifically using grey-scale DOTS to create shading and texture; often seen in ink or graphite drawing.
- Pixel Art – Digital art made up of small squares or DOTS to create images.
- Mosaic – Artwork made by arranging small, DOT-like pieces of material, such as tiles or glass, to form an image.
- DOT Painting – Often associated with Indigenous Australian art, where DOTS are used to form patterns and tell stories.
TRY IT:
Create an image using any of the methods above (pointillism, stippling, pixels, mosaic, or DOT painting)
Use DOTS (no tails, no lines, no arcs).
Submit for review (students only - if interested in art lessons, please contact me directly).
Further Research: Georges Seurat (A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte - Pointillism), Roy Litchenstein (DOT-printer / Pop-Art), Yayoi Kusama (DOT Queen), Vincent van Gogh (DOT painting), Alma Woodsey Thomas (combines mosaic/DOT painting), Antoni Guadi (mosaics)
