What is pointillism?

• A. A method of blending colors smoothly into gradients.
• B. A painting technique in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image.
• C. A sculpture technique using small beads.
• D. A type of photography using piquant blur.

Answer: (B)

Pointillism is a painting method in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Rather than blending colors smoothly on the canvas, the artist places pure color dots close to each other. When you view the work from a distance, the dots visually mix in your eye, creating new colors and a cohesive image through optical blending. This approach emerged in the late 19th century with artists like Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, emphasizing precise color relationships and perception science. So the technique relies on how the eye combines nearby hues rather than physically mixing them on the surface.