What is the difference between a dot and tie in music?

dot increases duration by one half. Since an eighth note is half the duration of a quarter note, we will substitute it for the 1/2 symbol. Ties merge multiple notes of the same pitch. They are used to let the duration of a note travel across barriers (such as the measure line in this example).

Explanation:

well seeing i am an artist and i actually did a self portrait; i will describe how i painted it.   i used acrylic on a stretch canvas about 4 feet wide by 6 feet tall. i painted myself smiling in a soft pink long dress, white tile floor sitting on a white couch with a table behind and a vase of gorgeous flowers.   i also had a round white hat with a soft pink ribbon through it laying on the floor and on the table behind me was a lit candle. i kept it simple but soft and romantic.