What is Pointillism? Part One.

I'VE FELT IT NECESSARY TO ADD A WARNING AS TO CONTENT AFTER AN INCIDENT WITH FLICKER. I WAS ASKED TO MODIFY SETTINGS AS SOME PICTURES WERE TITLED 'NUDES'. THE PICTURES IN QUESTION WERE NO. 32 AND NO.33. I DO NOT CONSIDER EITHER OF THESE PICTURES OFFENCIVE IN ANY WAY ALTHOUGH OTHERS I HAVE ADDED TO THIS SITE MAY BE CONSIDERED AS FOR ADULT VIEWING.

ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.....

LATEST ADDITION 5th. March 2013. (you'll have to scroll down for the latest).

Well, the technique relies on the ability of the eye and mind of the viewer to blend spots into a fuller range of tones.

I mainly use black ink, perhaps with a little sepia at times. It was what I had used when at school decades ago, so I had some experience with the media. I started again in the Summer of 2011 and found I still had a love for the unforgiving black and white over colour. The pictures are for my own amusement. If they give pleasure to others, then that's a bonus.

They say a journey begins with the first step, and so it is with any picture, the first dot..............




.............. and believe me, that can be a frightening experience.

001. So, how did it start? I had done some pen and ink work at school, many decades ago. I have always loved the cleanness of black and white, so when a lady asked me to help put together a Christmas card, pen and ink was my first choice. And so I drew this.........

Then added a few colour decorations to brighten up the card and give it a festive feel and it became ..........





The picture was then to be decorated with tinsel and glitter to finish it off. It was never used. Sadly the lady passed away suddenly in the Summer of 2011. But this little effort had spurred me to take up the pen again.


002. My next effort was the early petrol pumps proudly displayed in front of a garage in a near by village. I thought they would be a good subject to try out techniques. A5 for this one.




Note that the price of a gallon of petrol is 1/6d. For those too young to remember 'old pennies' it's about 8p in to days money!


004. I have always believed that people are more important than things. In the past I used to take picture of anything and everything. Looking back at them now, the only ones that have meaning for me are those of people, and so I decided to concentrate on portraits and figure studies. Not the easiest of subject. Eyes' of Green on A5





005. Next was a simple portrait of John Doe, an image of an unknown person being displayed to see if anyone could put a real name to the body. He never moved the whole time I was drawing him. Done on A4


006. I took a picture of a friend and his daughter at a BBQ and thought it would make a good subject for a picture, and would add an extra challenge. It was in A5 and a good learning experience.


007. A walk on the beach produced a figure study, my first attempt. I walked past her, turned, as you do, and took the photo. In the Shallows, A4 with a little added colour.



008 A portrait of Joely Richardson, who played Catherine Parr in the IV series of The Tudors. I fell in love with the beauty of this lady. I wonder why? A5 Isograph 0.13 and 0.18.


009 First attempt at a nude figure. I was a little concerned about the legs, but they are accurate to the photo I worked from, so I conclude that there must be some perspective alteration caused by a wide angle lens. On A4 using Isograph 0.18 and 0.25.

010. Another nude. Simple and using sepia this time. I did find that if the sepia ink was allowed to dry on the nib, it will give a darker line, so care must be taken to keep the cap on the pen when not in use. A5 with Isograph 0.2.

011. I saw this study many years ago in a book, and have always been attracted to it. Wearing nothing, showing nothing. A5 again using Isograph 0.18 and 0.25.

012. A trip to Russia in the fall of 2009 has left me with dozens of pictures and several figure studies I would like to try. This Afghanistan Veteran magazine seller was busy counting his money selling magazines outside a museum near St. Petersburg. A5 Isograph 0.13 and 0.18.

013. Another figure study, but it’s all about the reflection in the glass. I’m not very happy about the ‘out of focus’ figure in the background. A little over worked I feel. People ask me how long does a picture take to complete? Well, the dark area on the left hand side of the glass took nearly two hours. On A4 using Iso 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25.

014. Back to portraits with this giraffe woman from S.E. Asia. It was drawn on A5 using Iso 0.13 and 0.18 and was a real joy to do. My love of the ‘something different’.

015. I find body parts interesting especially hands. I added sepia to depict the orange cloth in the original photograph. Done on A5 but I’m beginning to favour A4 which will then give me a better choice in framing. Using Iso 0.18, 0.2 and 0.25.


016. A German Ballet calendar was the inspiration for this study. There are several subject I would like to try but they will have to join the queue. A4 using Iso 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25.



017. My love of the quirky lead me to do this portrait of George W. Bush. Not my favourite politician, but it was ’the look’ and the hands that kept me interested. I also tried a different technique to fill in very dark areas. A4 using Iso 0.18 and 0.25.



018. Every artist has to try a self portrait at some time, even if they don’t let others see it. Here’s mine, warts and all. My first attempt at glasses, so a double challenge. It won’t be my last because the sitter comes cheap. If only he would sit still. A4 on Bristol Board using Iso 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25.


019. I came across the much loved and respected Norman Rockwell when Googling Illustrators. His work is excellent and there is plenty of inspiration from viewing drawings and paintings. The plain area on the front of the magazine has been left to insert a picture or message. On A4 but this time using Uni pens 0.05, 0.1 and a Copic 0.03. Very useful pens.




020. ‘Angela’, a portrait of my lovely dance partner and more. I was full of apprehension when I started this likeness, but she was pleased with the result ..... or very kind with her comments. Thank you my angel. A4 Iso 0.13 and 0.18.




021. And I dance. Not quite to the standard of these Argentine Tango dancers and not quite with their style ............. but I try. Perhaps with a little more practice. Hopefully I've done justice to the passion of the dance. May be the first of many more dance pictures as I have several more in mind. A4 using a mixture of Copic, Isograph and Uni pens.






022.  Angela’s nieces little boy. The face of another angel, but perhaps hiding a little devilment behind the smile. A4 Iso 0.1,0.13,0.25.

023. More body parts. More hands. Clutching, holding, nobody I know. From a photo, I promise. Just my love of the quirky again. A4 to frame at 9x7 ins using Uni 0.05, 0.1 and Copic 0.03.



024. More tango dancers. Someone commented that it was almost like thet were making love, and I felt that was a great compliment. Thank you. A4 using Uni 0.1, 0.05 and Copic 0.03.

025. I wanted to get back to portraiture and this was a way of combining portrait and dance. On A3 using various Isograph pens. The picture is taken with a camera, rather than being scanned, hence the greyness to one side of the picture.

026. It's Jubilee Year and so I thought it would be a portrait of Her Majesty would be appropriate. I've also been talked into entering this in The Stithians Show next month. First prize in the Pen and Ink section is £3, so it's the taking part that counts. A4 Isograph 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25.

027. I've been thinking of producing a male nude for some time. Tasteful yet hidding nothing. I hope I have achived this with this picture. And if it does offend, that says more about you than it does me. On A4 using my favourite Isographs 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25.

028. I vowed I would never 'do' animals but this was different. Since then I have found several other pictures with little fluffy friend that I may try. A4 and my usual Isographs.

029. Another figure study with an animal. Not one of the fluffy type. A friend said "very good but a shame about the aligator", but he has his own agenda. A4 with Isographs.

030. Back to my portraits. I do miss not being looked in the eye by the subject. This lovely lady

is Lauren. Show her a camera and she poses. Once again on A4 using 0.13 and 0.18 Isographs. 

      031. A little head and shoulders about post card size. Just to see what it was like to work in a
       smaller format. My usual small Isographs.

    032.  Another figure study with the model baring all but showing nothing. I thought the lack of       hair   added something to what would have been an ordinary picture. A4 using 0.13 and 0.18 Isograph.  

  033. "I sit in Judgement"........ then judge not least ye be judged. A portrait doesn't have to be a happy smiling face. Some say it all with just one look. On A5 using 0.13, 0.18 and 0.25. Perhaps an eraser should have been used more often.

Well, what next?

15 January 2014.

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything on Blogger. So what I have decided to do is to start with a new post and add some of my newer work. so I will see you in Part Two, the new page for my efforts.

Bye for now,

IanS.