Drybrush is a
painting technique in which a
paint brush
A paintbrush is a brush used to apply paint or ink. A paintbrush is usually made by clamping bristles to a handle with a ferrule. They are available in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Thicker ones are used for filling in, and thinner on ...
that is relatively dry, but still holds
paint
Paint is any pigmented liquid, liquefiable, or solid mastic composition that, after application to a substrate in a thin layer, converts to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color, or provide texture. Paint can be made in many ...
, is used to create a drawing or painting. Load is applied to a dry support such as
paper or
primed canvas
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, shelters, as a support for oil painting and for other items for which sturdiness is required, as well as in such fashion objects as handbags ...
. The resulting brush strokes have a characteristic scratchy and textured look that lacks the smooth appearance that
washes or blended paint commonly have. This technique can be used to achieve a blurred or soft appearance.
The technique of drybrush painting can be achieved with both water-based and oil-based media. With water-based media such as
inks,
acrylic paints,
tempera paints or
watercolor paints, the brush is usually dry or squeezed dry of all water. The brush is loaded with paint that is highly viscous or thick and then applied to a dry support. With other water-based media, the brush is loaded with paint then squeezed dry. When using oil-based media,such as
oil paint, similar techniques are used, although instead of water, the brush is used dry or any oil or solvent is removed. Because oil paint has a longer drying time than water-based media, brushing over or blending drybrush strokes is often avoided to preserve the distinctive look of the drybrush painting technique.
The technique is often used in
model painting to apply highlights to miniatures.
Oil-based drybrushing can also be scrubbed onto paper, canvas or absorbent
gesso with stiff bristle brushes to impart smooth airbrushed or pastel-style effects. Next is that drybrush is sometimes mixed with other painting techniques
Coming from the dry brush technique, an autonomous painting technique developed in a comparatively short time:
For painting with the dry brush a small amount of oil is used. The color is diluted with a few drops of linseed oil or solvents. From this mixture very little color is added to the brush. In the next step the brush with the color on it is spread out very well on a color palette and the oil is secreted. The brush must be dry at the end of this step.
Linseed oil, when used with oil paint for dry brushing, will yellow if it becomes too warm, such as being left in a car in the summer sun. Sewing machine oil and diesel oil work just as well and do not yellow.
Now a very thin layer of color is applied to a watercolor paper. By reworking with an eraser at this point it is possible to incorporate different lighting effects and details.
Images painted with a dry brush are characterized by the specific transitions of light and shadow and gossamer tones. A work done in black and white appears similar to a coal or fine pencil drawing.
Tutorials and technique
* Nadja Sasch: ''Der trockene Pinsel.'' Edition Michael Fischer, Ingling 2012, .
See also
*
Art movement
*
Creativity techniques
*
List of art media
Arts media is the material and tools used by an artist, composer or designer to create a work of art, for example, "pen and ink" where the pen is the tool and the ink is the material. Here is a list of types of art and the media used within those ...
*
List of artistic media
*
List of art movements
*
List of art techniques
A ''list'' is any set of items in a row. List or lists may also refer to:
People
* List (surname)
Organizations
* List College, an undergraduate division of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
* SC Germania List, German rugby union ...
References
External links
{{commons category
How to create a range of dry brush strokes with watercolor
Painting techniques
Artistic techniques