Custom Halftone Series

Contemporary Painting Series

Artist: John Potter

Upcoming Show Nov. 2026:

HALFTONES - A Series of Paintings by John Potter:

Halftones are a method of image construction that uses dots, lines, or other repeating patterns to simulate tonal variation. Developed in the 19th century, this technology made it possible to reproduce black-and-white images with the appearance of gray values while using only black ink.

Example of a black and white halftone

If you examine a black-and-white photograph in a newspaper or magazine, especially under magnification, you'll see that the image is composed of countless tiny marks. These marks rely on optical perception rather than literal tonal information, creating clarity rather than confusion. Unlike familiar illusionary images such as the blue-and-gold dress or the rabbit-duck drawing, halftones are designed to be read effortlessly by the eye.

While dots are the most common halftone structure, many other patterns can serve the same purpose. Historically, halftones were produced through photographic and mechanical processes. Today, they are created digitally, allowing for extensive experimentation without the material cost or waste associated with traditional methods.

In this body of work, I use halftones as a unifying visual language. I explore a range of patterns, techniques, and scales, often applying them in unconventional or unexpected ways.

These works might be described as semi-abstract or optical art, which is accurate—but by that definition, nearly every black-and-white photograph printed in a book, magazine, or newspaper could be categorized the same way. In truth, all man-made images are, to some degree, constructed illusions.

Vision itself is a perceptual tool, shaped to help us navigate and interpret the world. We rarely question its limitations. We tend to "trust our own eyes," yet what we see is not necessarily a complete or objective representation of reality.

If this body of work has a goal it is not to intrigue with visual trickery but to provoke a questioning of the accuracy of our perception. I aim to create an awareness that or perception is being manipulated by technology and the senses we are born with only supply sufficient information for us to navigate through life.

In this body of work, I use custom halftones as a unifying visual theme, exploring a wide range of patterns, methods, and scales. By applying these elements in unconventional and inventive ways, I aim to create semi-abstract images shaped by technology yet accessible to viewers without a deep background in art. The pieces are intentionally crafted to offer visual depth that eludes photographic reproduction. The work blends traditional art methods with technical knowledge developed through sign-shop work and manual color-separation techniques.