This may seem like a dumb question to ask now (as I've built about 4 dioramas already) but what is dry brushing? What technique do you use?

Thanks in advance..

Gear(packs, pouches, bags) looks good with a light drybrush to show wear and tear but I'm not a fan of drybrushing an entire vehicle. Other things such as tree trunks and such also look good with a nice drybrush...now to your question...

What is drybrushing.

Drybrushing is basically a technique used to make details and raised areas of a model stand out.

How do you do it?

Well, here is how I do it anyway. I like to use artist oils...they come in a tube. I like the oils because they have a longer open time then emamels or acrylics...even though others may swear by using these other types of paint this is only my oppinion.

Spread some oil paint out on a piece of paper(paper, as opposed to plastic or metal, soaks up some of the oil) and dip your brush in it. Now stroke the brush on a dry piece of paper until hardly anymore paint is coming off the brush. Now you are ready to brush the model.

Let's say your are drybrushing a ruck sack. Take the brush that hardly has any paint left on it (hence the name dry) and lightly brush the ruck sack so that what little paint is left on the brush is applied to the high spost such as wrinkles, buckles and belts.

For color, choose one that is a few shades lighter than the color of the object you are drybrushing...If is Olive Drab...try adding white or flesh to some Olive Drab so that it becomes lighter than the original color. How much lighter? Well, first start with a shad that isn't too much lighter than the original and then get progressively lighter until you like the result...usually, as in so many other areas of weathering, less is more.

If you still have questions or a few fuzzy areas send me an email or else post them here. I'd be more than happy to help you further. Perhaps I can even take a few tutorial picutures for you ... let me know

Eddie

I tried dry brushing a figures hair it worked but then I tried his uniform of a diffrent color (duh) and used lightened field grey but when i dry brushed it it got gritty. I'm using tamiya acrilic's right now untill I can get to the hobby shop. Am I right to assume it's paint causing the problem, Or am I doing something wrong?

it is the paint. Tamiya acrylics, without retarder, dry very very quickly and will start to cake up on the brush...try enamels or oils....it will work MUCH better. If you are bent on using the acrylics pick up some retarder...

I'm Going to the hobby shop this weekend so i'll pic up some acrylic's or oil's.

Thanks in Advance