Stippling is a really fun form of pen and ink artwork, and can add interest and depth to any work you are doing – whether the Zentangle method, sketching or even working with your kids in a coloring book. Wikipedia defines Stippling as the creation of a pattern simulating varying degrees of solidity or shading by using small dots. Such a pattern may occur in nature and these effects are frequently emulated by artists.

I still have some sea life drawings I did for science in high school, where I decided I really liked my ultra fine sharpie, and used stippling to create all the details.  I didn’t get a full grade on it because it lacked color per the requirements, but it remains one of my favorite projects, and I love to run across it when I organize my closet.

Check out this artist, who created a video of making a stippling portrait – one dot at a time. A single dot looks so insignificant, but put it with 3.2 million friends, and you have something pretty amazing!

Hero by Miguel Endara