Henna Dots for Beginners: Control the Size (Lesson 5)

Free Yemeni Henna Course · Lesson 5 of 14 · See all lessons

Dots look simple, but they are the first real test of a henna artist's hand. Even rows, neat graded chains and the rich "nuffasha" fill (a cluster of tiny dots, circles and spirals that you will learn in Lesson 13) all depend on one skill: making a dot exactly the size you want. The secret is not the brush. It is pressure.

Before you start, make sure you know the correct brush grip from Lesson 4.

Duration: 45 minutes · Level: Beginner

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Draw dots in three sizes by controlling pressure.
• Arrange dots in four patterns.
• Choose where dots belong in a design.

The secret of size: pressure

The brush stays vertical at all times. Only the pressure changes:

Size	Movement
Small	A light touch with the brush tip, then lift immediately
Medium	Light pressure until about one third of the bristles touch the skin
Large	A fully loaded brush, pressed down to the middle of the bristles

Always lift the brush straight up. If you drag it sideways, the dot grows a tail.

Four dot patterns

Pattern	Use it for
Evenly spaced, same size	Bracelets and line borders
Evenly spaced, graded sizes	The ends of chains
Random, same size	Filling empty space
Random, mixed sizes	The nuffasha fill (Lesson 13)

Where do dots go in a design?

1. Inside leaves and hollow shapes.
2. Around curves and lines.
3. In the nuffasha fill.
4. At the ends of chains, graded from large to small.
5. As free decoration, wherever you like.

Common mistakes

• A dot with a tail: the brush was dragged sideways when lifting.
• An uneven row: the pressure changed between dots.
• A dot that spreads: the paste is too thin. Go back to the consistency test in Lesson 2.

Exercise

1. In your notebook, fill one line with each dot size.
2. Draw the four patterns in four squares.
3. Repeat the exercise on your hand with eyeliner, and take a photo to compare with your next try.

Read this lesson in Arabic: النقاط بأحجامها وترتيباتها

Previous lesson: Henna Tools for Beginners and Brush Grip (Lesson 4)