The Art of the Dot: A Playful Take on Texture

From ancient stone carvings to modern illustration, the humble dot has held its ground as one of art’s most expressive marks. Two historic techniques—stippling and pointillism—have long embraced the power of the dot, using it to build texture, depth, and dazzling visual interest. In my own encaustic work, I’ve taken inspiration from these traditions and brought them into the world of wax—using a heated stylus to build tiny, pigmented beads that shimmer, pop, and sometimes even beg to be touched.

A Brief History of Stippling and Pointillism

Stippling, a technique where images are built from countless tiny dots, has deep roots in pen-and-ink drawing and engraving. Dating back to the Renaissance, artists used stippling to create shading, detail, and a kind of quiet drama without relying on traditional line work. The density and spacing of dots were their tools for evoking light and shadow.

Pointillism arrived later, made famous by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac in the late 1800s. Instead of blending paint on a palette, these artists applied small, distinct dots of color side by side, letting the viewer’s eye do the mixing. It was a revolutionary approach—scientific, luminous, and completely enchanting.

Wax Meets the Dot

In my encaustic process, I use a wax stylus to create individual dots—small raised beads of molten color, laid down one by one. The effect is both playful and precise. These dots often follow carefully considered patterns, adding an extra layer of visual rhythm that pulls viewers in closer.

And once they’re up close? That’s when the fun begins. Patrons have a notoriously hard time keeping their fingers off my paintings. The textured dots seem to whisper touch me, and while the artwork itself is hands-off, I’ve embraced the curiosity by bringing along sample boards—mini encaustic surfaces designed for poking, prodding, and delighting.

These samples have become an unexpectedly joyful part of my shows. Kids, in particular, are instantly drawn to them. I’ve watched antsy little ones happily occupied feeling the wax while their parents get a few precious moments to really look at the artwork. It’s become a tactile bridge between viewer and medium, and a lovely way to spark engagement.

The Dot Lives On

There’s something timeless about working in dots. Whether subtle or bold, ordered or spontaneous, they carry the weight of history and the charm of a visual whisper. In wax, they take on a new life—dimensional, touchable, and full of personality.

So while the roots of stippling and pointillism reach deep into the past, their spirit is alive and well… just with a bit more wax.