Pointillism Pointillism Pointillism () is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat and Paul Signac developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism. The term "Pointillism" was coined by art critics in the late 1880s to ridicule the works of these artists, and is now used without its earlier mocking connotation. The movement Seurat began with this technique is known as Neo-impressionism. The Divisionists, too, used a similar technique of patterns to form images, though with larger cube-like brushstrokes. The technique relies on the ability of the
Montmartre (Van Gogh series) techniques. To bring an intensity to his work, he uses complementary colors of red and green. He adapted the stippling technique, using tiny dots in areas where needed for detail and brush strokes for the background. "Roofs in Paris" (F231) was made by van Gogh in 1886, his first year in Paris. Although acquainted with Impressionism, he had not yet begun to integrate color and light into his work. This painting consists of dull brown and gray. Here van Gogh seemed most interested in the variations of colors found in the many houses within his view. Montmartre (Van Gogh series)