Dot Painting-Tips, Tricks And Ideas

I have always been excited about using paper to create art. In the past, my primary modalities have been scrapbooks, cards, coloring books, and journal art—but then I came across a video about dot mandalas and got really excited. I began to think about all of the unique artworks I could create.

Simply put, dot painting is the art of making dots in different sizes in a pattern. You can practice this technique on paper, canvas, rocks, wood, and glassware. Really, the possibilities are endless.

This craft is easy on the budget, too. Many of the items that you will need you probably already have in your home. And if you need to purchase a few items, you will find that they tend to be very inexpensive. You can find everything you need at local craft stores, and I'll even share a few tips about cheap items you can find at hardware stores or home improvement stores.

Another great feature of this craft is that it's so easy to learn and grasp. This means it's a great activity to do with kids. It's also great for people who might not think of themselves as crafty or creative. I've seen it work well with older adults at nursing homes and retirement centers, too.

Dot Painting Without A Big Investment

You can get started in dot painting without a big investment. All you need are some pencils with clean erasers at the end and some good card stock or heavy paper,

Gather three or so pencils and sharpen the erasers to different sizes. There are your dotting tools. You can use the sharpened lead size to create the smallest dots.

Applying different pressure on the pencils will create different-sized dots.

You can also try things that are around your home. Different-sized drill bits, toothpicks, a thumb tack stuck to the bottom of an eraser will all work. Dowels are the perfect flat tool to dot with—you can purchase different sized dowels in your local home improvement store.

Consider using things like pencil erasers for larger dots, wooden dowel ends in different sizes, crochet hooks, sewing pins stuck in pencil erasers, and ends of paint brushes or markers. Even when you have used up a marker, you can keep it to create a specific sized dot. Great way to extend the use of your tools.

Other Things You Need To Create Dot Paintings

There are just a few inexpensive tools that you will need to get started in dot painting. Many of these you may already have in your stash:

Fine artist brushes-You may have many of these in your stash already. If you have a paintbrush that you no longer use, you can remove some of the bristles to create a fine brush.
A compass or circle drawing tool-Used to make circle guides for your patterns.
Pencils or chalks-You can draw your pattern circles on your surface t get precise patterns.
Clean pencil erasers-to make pattern corrections
Toothpicks-to make the tiniest dots
Plastic palette or paper plate- to hold your paints
Paper towels- They are needed to wipe the paint off of your tools so that you can transition to another color.
Craft mat, silicon mat, parchment paper or newspaper to protect your work surface.

What Kind Of Paint Should I Use For Dot Painting

Most dot painters prefer to use acrylic paints for their artwork. The brand you choose doesn't matter; it's the consistency of the paint that is important. Some paint may be thick and leave a point at the top of the dot. Others may be too flat. Find the brand that works well for you.

Acrylic Paints: While acrylic paint may be the most popular kind of paint for dot painters, there is a difference in the quality of paint used. Two good brands of acrylic paint are Folk Art and Deco Art.
Fluid vs. Craft Paint: Regular acrylic paint is perfect for dotting stones because it is permanent when it is dry. Typical craft paints would include brands like Decoart and Craft Smart (available online and at local craft stores). Fluid paint is better on canvas. Golden and Opus are the two most well-known fluid paints for dot artists.
Satin vs. Matte: Satin has more shine to it—but be careful, as it can sometimes be a bit thicker than matte.
Transparency: One thing to consider is the transparency of the paint. That means how much of the black or white paper of your base will show through the paint. It is up to you which way you want to go, but make sure that you understand the type of paint you are buying. If you have a more transparent paint, you can always add some titanium white so that the base paper will not show through.
Thickness: Some paints that are too thick will leave a gob of paint rather than a dot. Or they might create a peak of paint that would be difficult to add another layer to if you wanted to. If the paint is too thick, just add a pouring medium like Liquitex Professional Pouring Medium. Just a drop or two will make your paint just the right thickness. On the flip side, if your paint is too thin, your dots will bleed into each other and become one huge mess. This is often the case with low-end or no-name products. Some metallic paints will also tend to be thin.

Almost any surface can be used for dot painting

Choose A Canvas For Your Project

There are so many ways and materials to paint dot paintings. Of course you can use a regular canvas—but there are so many more options to choose from!

Canvas: The first option you might think of.
Paper: Another popular surface. You can use it on greeting cards as well as scrapbook pages, journals, and any paper projects.
Glass: Glass jars, bottles, vases, and more.
Wood: Consider wall art, jewelry, and boxes.
Christmas ornaments: A fun way to express your creative side with dot painting.

As a beginner, it is wise to start with inexpensive card stock to practice on. Then graduate to a flat paint board. Once you feel comfortable with that, the world will open up to you!

Dot Painting Tools

Dot painting tools come in different sizes to help you create the patterns that create your design. These tools help artists place dots of paint in controlled sizes and patterns.

Dotting Tools (Stylus Tools)-They have rounded metal or plastic tips. Come in many sizes to make small, medium, or large dots. Often sold in sets for nail art or mandala art.
Paintbrush Ends-The non-bristle end of a small paintbrush makes clean, round dots. Different brush thicknesses create different dot sizes.
Embossing Tools-Though these are often most used in clay and papercrafts, they are very similar to the rounded ball metal tools.
Stylus Tools-Though these are used in sculping or ceramics, these can also double as dot tools.
Cotton Swabs And Toothpicks-These are the tools of choice when you are just starting out in this medium for simple designs and learning patterns.
Mandala Dotting Tools-These are perfect built sets that have weighted handles. There are multiple sized tips in the set.

Dotting Tool Tips

There are a few easy tips that will make your dotting experience easier and much more enjoyable. Here are a few of my favorites on using tools:

If you are using a dowel or any other flat surface to dot, make sure to only dip the surface in the top of the paint. If you cover the side of the dowel with paint, you will not get a clean dot. (Make sure, however, that the flat surface is covered with paint.)
A light touch is always better! You want to barely touch the tool to the surface.
When you are making rings and want to keep your dots the same, use the dip and dot technique. Make sure to wipe the end of your tool frequently.
When you want to create descending dots, dip once and just keep dotting until you run out of paint.

Dot Painting Printables And Patterns

Dot painting is not limited to mandalas. There are many shapes and patterns that you can use to create a shape or design.

Check out Pinterest for patterns and ideas. Many of them are free to use for your personal use.

You can also purchase books and patterns with ideas. Many of these books are about rock painting, but you can adapt them to paper and paper craft dot painting projects.

Look for you tube tutorials on dot painting. Just head on over to you tube and search for dot painting patterns and ideas.

Look in your favorite browser for free templates and dot painting patterns.

You may want to keep your dot painting patterns in a loose-leaf binder so that you have some patterns to refer to in the future. Just grab a binder and some page protectors. You can also add some section dividers too. Another option is to keep them in a file on your computer.

Creating Mandalas

Mandalas are one of the most frequently used patterns in dot painting. The different designs and combinations that can be created are endless.

Mandalas are much more than mere designs. Mandala comes from the Sanskrit word mandal, meaning circle. It is a circular symmetrical design with repetitions of patterns that create an illusion of motion.

Mandalas can be used on all kinds of different projects. Think about canvases of course. But they can also be used on rocks, wood projects, and glass projects.

The mandala dot art patterns can be done on canvases, terracotta plates, coasters, pebbles, trays, and so on. The paintings can be used as gifts, home décor, wall hangings, fridge magnets, etc.

Start with a center dot and work your way out. There are no steadfast rules on how many dots to use or where to place them. Making mandalas is all about relaxing and enjoying the creative journey!

Since ancient times, mandala art has been considered as a form of meditative art. By drawing them, you can increase concentration levels and help the mind stay calm. Try it! I think you will end up enjoying the experience.

Why You Should Swatch Your Paint Colors

Especially for beginners, it is a great idea to swatch your colors for reference later on.
Swatches are samples of the paint that you have. Sometimes, the color of the paint will look different wet versus dry, so having swatches lets you reference the colors to see how they will look together.
This is especially important if you have different brands of paint.
Taking this step will pay off on future projects.

Take a piece of 81/2 by 11 1/2 " black paper.
Cut a small strip of white paper at about 3-inches (2 pieces per page).
Make columns alternating with the black and white paper-spacing them apart.
With a white gel pen, write the name of the company and the color number. Start with the left column.
Dot the color both on the black and the white column. Make one larger dot and then a few smaller dots.
Paint a line of the paint.
Follow along with the colors in the same family: all the reds, yellows, etc.
You can place lines between the colors or not.
Once you have finished the left column go to the right side.
When your pages are done and dried overnight, place each one in a page protector.
You can use a loose-leaf binder or connect them with metal rings.

Swatching Tips

Tip: You can also do the same thing on a rolodex or just on swatch samples.
Step By Step Dot Painting Guide

Basic Dot Painting Process

Prepare your surface: Make sure that your surface is clean.
Cover your surface: Use a craft mat, glass mat, parchment paper, or wax paper. Make sure to tape down the parchment paper or the wax paper so it does not curl.
Cover the surface with a base coat of paint (optional): You can use any color. White and black are the most popular.
Gather your tools: This includes your dotting tools, paints, plastic palette, a wet cloth, pencil or chalk, ruler or compass, etc.
Draw guidelines: Use a ruler and or a compass to make guidelines with a pencil (either a lead or a white pencil). Find and mark your center and design from that point.
Or use a stencil: Stencils come in different patterns. You can use all of the stencil or part of it.
Or use a mandala design: I have seen some on Etsy. Perfect for beginners.
Select your colors: Use a color wheel to decide on colors. Use what you have. There are no set rules about color combinations.
Place the paint on your palette: Thinning is usually necessary. You can use a pouring medium or any other acrylic paint medium.
Start dotting: Every time you dot, re-dip into the paint. Start at the center dot and work your way outwards.
Erase any visible guidelines: You don't want those to show on the final work.
Spray with fixative: And wait for it to dry!

Walking The Dots Technique
Walking the dots is a simple technique to add some detail to your design. This is in contrast to the basic technique, called dip and dot, where you dip into the paint and then dot. This technique uses a smaller tool than the dot you made before.
Dip into the paint with your tool.
Place a dot outside the dot you made before in the center of that dot.
Without re-dipping, use the paint on your tool to keep dotting around the outside.
Re-dip the tool into the paint.
Starting at the center, re-dot the center dot.
Then go around the mail dot.
It is very important to let the layers dry before applying more dots. This will allow the dots to be totally dry so that they will have crisp edges and will not flood together.

How to Mix Paint When Dotting
If you are using acrylic paints, you can mix paint to create more colors and variations in your patterns.

Use a palette – squeeze out the colors you need.
Mix with a palette knife or brush
Blend colors normally until you get the shade you want.
Adjust consistency
Dot painting works best when the paint is creamy, not too thick or watery.
If paint is too thick → add a tiny bit of water.
If too thin → leave it exposed a few minutes to thicken or add a dab of thicker paint/medium.

Apply dots using:
dotting tools
cotton swabs
toothpicks
nails or styluses
Add silver metallic paint to any color of metallic paint. You will get a custom metallic color.

Dot Painting With Stencils

You can use a stencil to create a colorful pattern without having to draw it yourself. This makes dot painting easy, especially for beginners. They can be applied to any surface including rocks.

They are a guide to help you create a pattern. It will help make your project more aligned and even. No guessing about where to put your dots!

Most of these stencils are in a circular or part circular pattern. You can make or use all of the stencil design or part of it. It's up to you. You use the stencil once you have applied the base coat to your project. You can use a pencil to apply the stencil design or you can use a tool that will actually etch the lines into the base coat. Using the etching tool works well because you do not have to work with erasing the lines later. Your varnish coat will hide any leftover lines from your stencil marking.

Another idea is to use chalk to mark your stencils. Fabric chalk markers are good to use.

There are also stone stencils which are actually rounded stencils to fit around. Always keep your hand up and away from the project. If you are too close, you may smear the dots on your project.

Where To Find Rocks For Painting

I think the best place to find inexpensive rocks is at landscaping stores, as mentioned above. Beyond that, you can also find rocks at the following places:

Amazon: You can even search specifically for "rocks for painting."
Local hardware stores
Garden centers like Lowe's and Home Depot
Dollar Tree and Target: Be aware, however, that the rocks at these stores may be coated with a waxy substance.
Craft stores like Micheal's or Hobby Lobby
Search online for "rocks to paint on."
Nature! Rivers are a great spot to look.

The best rocks to paint on are smooth and have a flat side.

Please be aware that there are areas that are illegal to remove rocks from such as, National and State Parks, waterways, and railway tracks. Leaving painted rocks and removing rocks for painting from National Parks, State Parks are prohibited.

How To Paint On Rocks

One of the most popular media for dot painting is rocks. This creates one-of-a-kind rock mandalas that can be displayed anywhere. Since rocks come in different sizes, you can create the art in the exact size that you would like.

Rocks are an easy way to get started with dot painting. The surfaces are smaller, so it feels less intimidating.

You can either use acrylic paint or paint pens or markers. Acrylic brushes are best for this type of project. They are stiffer and will be easier to use to make your dots. Paint pens come loaded with paint and make them easier and quicker to use.

Choose your rock: Choose a rock with one flat surface to make it easier to paint. It does not need to be totally flat, but a flatter surface makes it easier, especially for beginners.
Prepare the rock: Rinse off your rock. Use your fingers to loosen any dirt. You can also use a vegetable brush to get into all the grooves of the rock. Then place it on a towel to dry. If you buy rocks from stores like the dollar store, they may have a waxy residue on them. That residue will not hold the paint well. You can boil them or use nail polish remover to remove the residue. Make sure that the rock is completely dry before you start painting it.
Sand your rock: – If your rock is very bumpy or uneven, use fine-grit sandpaper to even out the surface. Sanding a rock can leave behind a lot of powder. Be sure to thoroughly clean your rock before proceeding with any paint.
Apply an optional background color: A background color rock on your rock is an optional step. The good part of using a base coat on your rock is that it will show your rock to its best advantage. Black is one of the most often used colors for the base, but you can choose the color that fits your pattern. If you decide to use a base coat. make sure to set it aside to let it dry.
Lightly draw or stencil the pattern on the surface with a pencil.
Paint! You can use a special stencil made for dot painting or you can draw a pattern on your rock with pencil or chalk. There are lots of patterns to choose from. Head over to the browser on your computer and search for rock dot patterns; you will find a wealth of ideas. Choose what you like and dot away.
Dry and seal: Allow your rock to dry overnight. Then follow the manufacturer's directions to seal your project.

Rock Painting Tips

There are no specific rules for rock painting, but this tip will help you get the best results from day one!

You can use all kinds of paint mediums for your rock paintings. You can experiment with markers and even watercolors to create your designs. You can even try alcohol ink. Most rock painters prefer to use acrylics.
Keep some paper towels handy to wipe off any excess water or paint off of your brushes and tools.
Wait 24 hours before sealing your rocks. If you do not give the rock time to cure, the paint or medium may bleed.
You can use pencil erasers to make your dots. These are great inexpensive dotting tools. Sharpen the erasers to make different size dot tips.
Practice on some paper to get used to using pressure to make different dots. Once you feel comfortable, try dotting a rock.
You can also use paint pens as long as they have different-sized tips.
Use an upside-down cup as a stand to do the base coat, paint and dry.

How To Seal Your Rock Painting

Sealing your rock dot painting is a good idea because it will make it last a lot longer. Spray sealers are perfect because you can seal your rocks quickly and evenly. If you need more ideas for products that will seal your rock, go over to Amazon and click sealants for rock painting. They will give you a host of options.

Let the paint dry overnight before you seal the rock.
Look for a sealer that prevents yellowing and is weather-proof.
Follow the directions regarding the application. Spray at least 10 inches from the rock surface.
Always spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.
Make sure to seal both sides of your rock.
Leave space between the rocks so that the sealant gets on the sides, too.
Start with a light coat. You can always add more coats later.
Let the sealant dry between coats.
Do not dry the sealant in the sun.

How To Avoid And Correct Dot Painting Mistakes

You have options when it comes to the little mistakes that often happen in the process of learning and creating dot designs.

Is the dot too small? Just take a larger tool and dot over it.
Is the dot too large? Wipe the area with water before it hardens. A Q-tip works for small areas.
Made a really big mistake? No problem. Just cover it with black paint and start again.
Always start in the middle of the work and work outward. That way you will get a more even design.
Use a pencil outline to keep your design even. Use a plate, a glass, a paper towel tube, or a protractor.
If you drop paint on your project while you are working, dip a Q-tip in water. Roll the paint off the project with the wet cotton swab.

Dot Painting On Greeting Cards

Doing dot painting on greeting cards creates a new venue for your art. You can create them to a panel and then adhere the panel in layers. Or you can create the painting directly on the card front.

Blank greeting cards (thick cardstock works best)

Acrylic paint (flowy craft acrylic is easiest)

Dotting tools you can use:

Nail-dotting tools
The ends of paintbrushes
Toothpicks
Cotton swab tips
Stylus tools
A palette or any plastic surface for paint
Pencil + compass (optional) for guidelines
Paper towel + water cup

Prepare your card-Place it on a clean, flat surface. If you’re making a mandala, lightly pencil a few guide circles. For free-style designs, skip guidelines.
Thin your paint slightly. Acrylic paint should be the consistency of yogurt: not too runny, not too thick. Add a drop of water if needed so dots release cleanly.
Load the dotting tool-Dip the tool straight down into the paint. Touch it lightly to the palette to remove excess. Test a few dots on scrap paper.
Start Dotting-Dot in the pattern you have decided on.
Let dry completely-Acrylic dries fast but allow 10–20 minutes before layering new colors, and 1 hour before closing the card.

Tips For Dot Painting Greeting Cards

Tape the back of the card with low tack tape to your work surface; that way the card will not slip.
Place a piece of parchment paper between the card front and the inside of the card. That way you will not get any paint on the inside of your card.
You can add dimension by layering dots. You use a lighter color against dark and a darker color against light. The dots must be dry before you layer. Use a smaller tool than the original dot to layer.

Here are some projects that you may want to try that uses dot painting techniques. Give them a try and you will find a creative new way to express your dot experience!

Christmas Tree Dot Project

Flower Pot Dot Painting

CD Dot Painting Art

Cleaning Up After Your Dot Painting

Here are a few suggestions to keep your dotty messes to a minimum:

Use baby wipes or damp cloths for quick clean-up and to wipe away errant dots that you plan to reapply.
For dried-on paint, try rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab.
Clean brushes with dried paintbrushes. Use a few tablespoons of Murphy Oil Soap in water. Let the brushes sit for at least one day or two.
Use baby wipes to clean dotting tools. Baby wipes are the perfect way to clean the ends of your tools. Every once and a while in your project, you need to wipe the excess paint from your tools.

Final Thoughts On Dot Painting

Dot painting is an art form that can be used on papercrafts like greeting cards, journals and scrapbook pages. But you can extend these techniques to include canvases, rocks, glass and wood. Once you get the idea of creating your dots, you will find yourself wanting to dot all kinds of surfaces. And you can create sets of cards to create gifts and items to sell. It is a truly relaxing art form. Start with designs on some scrap paper and move on up to amazing projects. Why not give it a try?

We always love hearing from the members of our community! Share a thought, idea or comment. Show us your dot projects to inspire others. You are important to us. W all grow together as we move forward in our crafts.

Till next time, Happy Camping!

Linda

Paper Craft Workshop

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