stipple

/ˈstɪpəl/
noun
  1. The technique or effect of painting, drawing, or engraving using small dots or short strokes.
    • The printmaker's stipple gave the image a soft, shaded look.
    • The old map's stipple indicated forested areas.
    • She practiced stipple for weeks to master the delicate dot work.
  2. A pattern or surface covered with small dots or specks.
    • The bird's eggs had a fine brown stipple on a pale blue background.
    • The leather wallet had a subtle stipple that made it feel textured.
    • The stipple on the ceiling helped hide minor imperfections.
verb
  1. To paint, draw, or engrave using small dots or short strokes.
    • She learned to stipple in art class by using the tip of a fine brush.
    • The artist decided to stipple the shadows to give the portrait more texture.
    • To create a realistic stone wall, the illustrator will stipple the surface with tiny dots.
  2. To cover or mark with small dots or specks.
    • Moss and lichen stipple the old stone fence along the path.
    • Rain began to stipple the car's windshield with tiny droplets.
    • The chef used a brush to stipple the glaze onto the pastry for a decorative finish.