Drybrushing 2

In this example I am highlighting some groundwork on a display base.  The paint is Tamiya Buff that has been thinned and a dab of acrylic retarder added.  Make sure that the bristles of the brush are well soaked in paint then try to remove as much paint as possible by drawing the brush across the edge of the palette.

Rub the paint brush repeatedly on a piece of paper towel until it appears almost no paint is left and the brush is dry.

Lightly brush the now 'dry' paint brush over the groundwork.  Only a tiny amount of paint will be deposited and only on the upper surfaces.  Keep a light touch and do not be tempted to grind the paint brush.  Gradually after many passes back and forth you should begin to see the difference.

The direction of brushing is important.  Here the brush is being drawn along the line of tank tracks in the ground so that the paint is only left on the high spots and does not get into the depressions.  Depending on the subject you may have to repeat the process several times with successive lighter shades of paint.

This is a photograph of the groundwork before the drybrushing process.  It looks OK but lacks depth and definition.

This is a photograph of the same groundwork as on the left but after the drybrushing is complete.  The individual rocks and rough surface texture of the ground are more apparent.