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Coloring Techniques – Stippling and Pointillism

Headline banner stippling and pointillism

In our guide to coloring flowers and leaves we outlined 7 basic coloring techniques and in our blog this month we give you another skill to add to your coloring arsenal; pointillism or stippling as it is often called.  

Stippling or Pointillism is simply the art of using the simple dot to create depth and texture in your artwork.  This month we will show you the basics of the stippling technique in 5 steps, with pictures! 

Step 1 – Learn from the Greats

Stippling and Pointillism is an artistic technique that has been used by some of the past masters including Paul Signac and George Seurat whom is often considered the creator of the pointillism technique.

Even Van Gogh was inspired by pointillism and used the technique in his self portrait.

examples of stippling technique by master artists Van Gogh and George Seurat
Van Gogh Self Portrait and George Saurat La Tour Eiffel – both paintings use the pointillism technique
Paul Signac Venice painting
Paul Sigac used pointillism to create a dreamy Venice landscape

Step 2 – Choose your Colors

When you are relying on small dots to imply shade, depth and texture you need colors that will stand out on the page.  High contrast colors, often work well with stippling.  

fineliner pens and a coloring page
Fineliner pens are a good choice when trying stippling on a coloring page

Free Flower Banner Coloring Page

Try choosing three shades of the same color, dark, mid tone and light or mix things up by taking two colors of a the same hue and mix with a contrasting color for interest.

Step 3 – Technique

…generate a rhythm and you will find that stippling and pointillism can become a zen inducing coloring technique

The key technique for pointillism lies in the name – point!  Use the very tip of your nib to create a dot on the page.  Whilst the stippling  technique may sound simple it does take control to get the best results – you are looking for dots, not strokes.  If you rush or get sloppy with your technique you will find larger marks will be distracting.

colored flower with stipple technique
I stippled each petal seperately working away from the centre of the flower.

Try and generate a rhythm and you will find that stippling and pointillism can become a zen inducing coloring technique as you work your way around a page!

Fineliner pens are a good choice when trying stippling, the fine point allows precise dotting, just be careful not to dab the pens too hard or you will easily damage the nibs.

Step 4 – Distribution

To create shade and depth you vary the amount of dots.  For darker areas you want more dots, for lighter areas use the technique more sparsely.

flower and leaves colored with pointillism
Darker shades at the centre of the leaves add depth. The outward circular pattern on the flower hints at the form of the petals.

As a general rule light areas can use weaker shades with less distribution whilst darker areas of the page use stronger colors with a higher concentration of dots.

close up flower and leaves coloring page with pointillism
Close up of the flowers and leaves

Pattern can also be used to add interest and texture to you coloring page.  

Step 5 – Take breaks and experiment!

Ok this is two steps in one, but both are important.  Because of the repetitive nature of this coloring technique it is important to take breaks in your coloring.  Not only will this give your hands and wrist a much needed break but will also give you some space to take a break from the page and look back on your coloring with a fresh perspective.  

stippling coloring technique finished
One layer of stippling applied to the page – I will leave this page a couple of days and take another look with fresh eyes!

Don’t pressure yourself to finish the coloring page in a single sitting, you will often find you get your best results when you return to the page over a couple of sittings as it gives you the chance to see where you can improve or what areas of the page you really like.

Share your tips!

Do you have some good tips for using pointillism or stippling in a coloring page?  Share your knowledge with us below.

Do you want to try and experience the benefits of coloring for adults? Download this free coloring book:

Comments

  1. Teresa says

    September 29, 2017 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Devin! Thanks for the tips! Can’t wait to try them! I tried downloading the free flower banner download, but the link doesn’t seem to be working. Has anyone else had any problems downloading it? Thank you again! Happy Coloring! =)

    Reply
    • Steve says

      September 29, 2017 at 5:38 PM

      Hi Teresa,
      Try the link again – it should work now. Thanks for highlighting this!

      Reply

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