Model Detail: Drybrush Technique

Having painted your model you may decide to make it super-realistic by emphasising some of the detail. This can be done using the drybrushing technique.

Drybrush is a painting technique in which a paint brush that is relatively dry, but still holds paint, is used. Load is applied to a dry support such as paper or primed canvas. The resulting brush strokes have a characteristic scratchy look that lacks the smooth appearance that washes or blended paint commonly have.

For this to work you will need to find a colour a shade darker than that of your own model, and then thin with thinners to a watery consistency.  Take your finest brush and using this mixture, begin to outline the details very carefully.

When this has dried, mix up a shade lighter than that of the model to a fairly thick consistency. Using a bigger brush work off nearly all the colour onto a piece of scrap paper. Once there is almost no colour on the brush, gently brush over the detailed area. The finished result can be quite dramatic.