Lesson 1: Basic Stippling Technique

What is STIPPLING? (Dot Drawing)

Illusions of shadow

Stippling (Dot Drawing) is an art technique that uses many small dots to create different levels of shading. One of the best things about art is that there are so many techniques to explore, and stippling is a great example. By carefully placing thousands of tiny dots, artists can create depth, texture, and the illusion of shadow. The closer the dots are, the darker and more solid the area looks. Stippling requires a great deal of patience and dedication because it is very time-intensive. Most stippling projects take at least ten hours to complete. For this reason, I usually assign it as a 2–4 week project so students have enough time to carefully develop their work.

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Stippling was invented around 1510 by Giulio Campagnola, a famous engraving artist. At the time, most artists used lines (hatching and cross-hatching) to create shading. Campagnola discovered that using small dots instead of lines made tone changes look smoother and more natural.

 Giulio Campagnola, "Venus Reclining in a Landscape" (Stippled), 1510 – 1515

Stippling is often confused with Pointillism because both techniques use dots to create images. However, stippling is usually done with pen and ink and often uses one color. Pointillism, developed in the 1880s by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, uses small dots of different paint colors that blend together when viewed from a distance. This colorful painting style became popular and was later used by artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.

Georges Seurat, "The River Seine at la Grande Jatte". Spring (oil on canvas), 1888

Paul Signac (1863-1935), Capo di Noli, oil on canvas, 1898

Textures you can express with stippling

Stippling has many ways to express. Some good ways are...

• Something grainy: Sand, soil, dust, etc.

• Something airy: Clouds, sprays, smoke, mist, etc.

• Transparent objects: The wings of insects, clear film, blurry, etc.

• Other various textures: Velvety, fluffy, shiny, glassy, etc.

• Gradient: Emphasize the drastic or subtle change from a darker to a lighter value

• Details: Depicting anything that has plenty of delicate, refined details

The more dots are put on the paper, the darker the value becomes. It's that simple yet time consuming.

You can create the illusion of shadow by gradually layering more and more dots. The more dots you add, the darker the area becomes.

Pay close attention to creating a smooth transition between lighter and darker values. Avoid sudden changes—build up the shading slowly and evenly.

It’s important to train both your eyes and your hand to carefully place new dots in the spaces between the existing ones. This control helps keep your work neat and balanced.

Stippling is all about balancing filled and empty areas to create a harmonious pattern. Start slowly so you can focus on the spacing between your dots and develop consistency.

Now, let’s take a look at some examples of shading created with stippling.

The size of the nib

The pens I recommend the most for stippling and general outlining are the SAKURA Pigma Microns pens.

The quality is fantastic as the very affordable price, and you can mostly buy them at any stores. Here’s a picture of how microns’ dots look like on paper.

The gradation chart below shows changes in value created using different liner sizes: 005, 01, and 03 Micron pens.

Smaller pen tips create tiny dots that produce a smoother, softer, and more delicate texture. Larger pen tips make bigger dots, which create a stronger, rougher, and more noticeable pattern. You can see the differences in texture in the examples below.

In this piece, I experimented with different approaches in each area. I wanted the tattoo section to stand out more, so I used larger nib sizes to create deeper, bolder shadows and make that part pop visually.

This drawing was done when I was still exploring my style and experimenting with ways to express texture and shading. It didn’t turn out exactly as I had planned, but at least it clearly shows how different pen sizes can affect texture and overall appearance.

Let's practice

*Download and print the attached worksheet. 1. Practice Basic Stippling Techniques

Using a pencil and ruler, draw a few small rectangles. You will fill each one with dots.

(1) Even Value Practice Create an even layer of dots using only one pen. Focus carefully on the spacing between the dots—the gaps are just as important as the dots themselves. Try to keep the spacing consistent to create a balanced pattern.

(2) Gradient Practice Using the same pen, create a smooth gradient from light to dark. Start with fewer dots for lighter areas and gradually add more dots as you move toward the darker side. Build up the value slowly to keep the transition smooth.

(3) Dotted Lines Practice Draw lines made entirely of dots. Experiment by changing the spacing between the dots. Some close together, some farther apart—to see how it affects the look and rhythm of the line.

If you have extra time, try using liners of different widths to experiment with larger and smaller dots.

2. Create a Sphere

Draw a circle and fill it with dots to create the illusion of a three-dimensional sphere.Remember to keep one area lighter (where the light hits) and gradually increase the dot density to create shadow and form.

PRACTICE 1.pdf

Download PDF • 419KB

Stippling Tips and Advice

• Nuances and Textures Matter The quality of your dots plays a huge role in creating a successful stippling drawing. Small details—like how you hold your pen and how much pressure you use—can greatly affect your final result.

• How You Hold Your Pen

  Try to hold your pen at about a 90° angle to the paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but keep it as straight as possible. If you tilt the pen too much, your dots may look uneven, distorted, or faded instead of clean and round.

  
  

• The Pressure You Use

  Use light, gentle touches when placing your dots. Pressing too hard can distort the shape of the dots, making them look stretched or uneven (almost like tiny tadpoles). Too much pressure can also damage the pen tip and shorten its lifespan.
  

• Patience and Practice

  Stippling is a time-consuming technique that requires patience and dedication. Because of the repetitive motion, your hand and eyes may feel tired after a while. Listen to your body and take short breaks when needed.

  While working, try to keep your hand relaxed. Tension can affect both your comfort and the quality of your dots.
  

*Read more tips and mental strategies on this post.

These small exercises are great for developing rhythm and discovering a comfortable drawing speed. For some people, stippling can feel almost meditative—a way to enter a creative “flow” state. For others, it may feel challenging and demanding. Either way, it’s an excellent exercise in focus, control, and patience.