David Bayo's 18-Million-Dot Masterpiece 'Ursus' Showcases Stippling Art

French self-taught artist David Bayo, based in Strasbourg, has gained recognition for his intricate ink drawings created entirely with a 0.1 technical pen using stippling—a technique that builds images from countless tiny dots. His most ambitious work, 'Ursus,' contains over 18 million dots and required approximately 2,000 hours to complete. Bayo's artistic journey began in adolescence, influenced by early exposure to museums and books, and later by graphic design and video games. At seventeen, his brother gave him a sketchbook, sparking a passion that led him to experiment with various media before settling on drawing and eventually stippling. His subjects range from portraits to landscapes, often incorporating celestial motifs inspired by astronomy. Bayo cites Jean Giraud (Mœbius) and Ugo Gattoni as major influences, admiring their dense, detailed illustrations. His daily practice involves seven to eight hours of drawing, with occasional intense periods exceeding ten hours for commissions. He documents his process through video, providing insight into the labor-intensive nature of his work. Looking ahead, Bayo aspires to collaborate with museums or cultural foundations, create artwork for a film poster or special edition of 'The Lord of the Rings,' and continues to develop new drawings in secret.