How I Dry Brush

[Gondor]

After a couple of comments on my ability to Dry Brush, I thought it might be an idea to show how I do it. Handily I had a couple of resin cockpits that I had repainted as the original base colour had been too dark, and these needed to be dry brushed so perfect for this demonstration.

The test item in this case is the CMK 1/72 TSR.2 cockpit.

This is how it looked before getting the treatment.







Traces of the darker paint can still be seen which in this case is not a problem, pre-shading and all that 

Next up is the paintbrush. Always use a fairly short bristled brush. That way not much paint can get drawn into the brush. Short bristles are also good for rubbing the pain onto the surfaces where necessary.



Out of focus, but you get the idea.



The make and size of the brush I use, other brands and sizes are available 

Next is the paint I will be using for this demonstration.



Oops, way too much paint on the palette! At least you can see how much I have on the brush.



Even then I have to brush off some of the paint.



Thankfully the paint is dark enough to show up on the kitchen towel that I use, not that there is much there. In fact, this is the crucial part. You only need a very, very faint amount of paint on the brush. As you can see from the paint strokes on the towel, there is next to nothing on the brush, this is what you want.

Once you have that minuscule amount of paint on the brush you start to brush quickly as if you were dusting for fingerprints rather than applying paint. In fact, dusting the model is a far better description than dry brushing, although that does describe the amount of paint that is on the brush, so little that it is almost dry.
If you want to increase the effect of using the lighter paint on an item, go over it again. You will use the paint on the brush so don't forget to add more paint, even though that is almost nothing, and go again. Always remember to stop and look at what you are doing. Check then check again before applying more paint to the subject. You're highlighting the detail there, not painting it a new colour so less is more. Conversely, there is nothing stopping you dry dry-brushing flat surfaces to show patina in the middle of then or on sharp edges that would get normal wear and tear.

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

I can't say I've ever dusted for fingerprints actually. 

I obviously used FAR too much paint in my poor attempts at it, I'll try it again on my next project, whatever that may be.

[Gondor]

So what was the result of my practising what I am preaching?

As I said in the previous post, there is too much paint on the palette.



This was how much was left over. I could have been a little more economical with the paint.

And the amount that was brushed out onto the kitchen paper...



The brush is for all intents, dry. One side



And the other



The result though is this



Maybe a little too much on the pilot's right side console 

















And here is the Project 75 cockpit





And a resin Jaguar cockpit which had also needed the same treatment as the TSR.2 cockpit.





I would also like to point out that I am only adequate at this, I am by no means an expert at dry brushing.

Gondor

[Gondor]

I can't say I've ever dusted for fingerprints actually. 

I obviously used FAR too much paint in my poor attempts at it, I'll try it again on my next project, whatever that may be.

Neither have I Kit, although I have seen lots of episodes of CSI.

Gondor

[Dizzyfugu]

I use cardboard (e.g. from the kit's box, unprinted surfaces, though) or a piece of open wood as palette for dry-brushing - the open material sucks the solvent from the paint (esp. from enamels) and leaves relatively dry pigments, which can be easily taken up with a flat brush.

[Gondor]

I should have added.

If you don't think the effect is building up enough, DO NOT add more paint to the brush. Just have another go with very little paint, check then another go. It's the painting equivalent of PSR. Here that would stand for Paint, Scrutinize, Repeat.

And as always, less is more, even if you have to do it four or five times as the effect is supposed to be subtle.

Gondor

[Dizzyfugu]

And as always, less is more, even if you have to do it four or five times as the effect is supposed to be subtle.

So true. 

[Rick Lowe]

And as always, less is more, even if you have to do it four or five times as the effect is supposed to be subtle.

So true. 

Yes, made that mistake a number of times... also with washes...