dotwork
Art through dots
Dotwork is a tattooing technique that creates images through countless small dots rather than solid lines or shading.
The density and spacing of dots produces gradients and textures, often used for geometric patterns, mandalas, and ornamental designs.
The style requires patience—both from artist and client—as building up an image dot by dot takes considerably longer than traditional methods.
Dot-based shading technique
- pointillismDot-based art technique
- stippleMark with small dots
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
- gradientsRates of steepness
stippled · precision · density · spacing · layering · texture · hatching · linework
Manual tattooing technique
- blackworkEmbroidery using dark thread
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- sleeveGarment's arm portion
- inkWriting fluid
skin · healing · aftercare · session · design · placement · shading · symmetry
Related to plants
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- pen-and-inkDrawing with nib and bottle
- crosshatchingIntersecting parallel lines for tone
vintage · Victorian · naturalist · specimen · detailed · archival · wildlife · portrait
stippling
Dot-based shading technique
- pointillismDot-based art technique
- stippleMark with small dots
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
gradients · stippled · precision · density · spacing · layering · texture · hatching · linework · blackwork
stick-and-poke
Manual tattooing technique
- blackworkEmbroidery using dark thread
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- sleeveGarment's arm portion
ink · skin · healing · aftercare · session · design · placement · shading · symmetry · pattern
botanical
Related to plants
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- pen-and-inkDrawing with nib and bottle
crosshatching · vintage · Victorian · naturalist · specimen · detailed · archival · wildlife · portrait · printmaking
vector
Quantity with direction
brush · scatter · gradient · tablet · stylus · layer · opacity · bitmap · dithering · resolution
dotworklinework
Drawn strokes in art
line art · continuous line · solid lines · hatching · crosshatching
dotworkflat color
Uniform hue, no shading
blackwork · color blocking · wash · blending
dot, work, dots, dotted, dotting, works, worked, working, worker