Dry-brushing and washes Tutorials

[CarlosMucha]

Hello fellows, I really want past to the next step in figure paint, and I want know any what you know about "Dry-brushing and washes", I dont know nothing righ now, then the basics will be great.

Thanks

[Sabotage]

I'll make it real simple for ya Carlos. Experiment some with these very simplified techniques before you try it on a fig you care about.

Dry brushing: Basically you put a very little bit of paint on a brush and then wipe it off on a towel. Then paint with it. I use a fairly stiff squared ended brush. Whats the technique for? Making things look weathered or like metal. Example: paint a weapon like a sword flat black. Then dip the stiff brush in silver and wipe nearly all the paint off. Then brush it on very lightly.

Washes: I use two types, ink and paint. The techniques are the same. This is used for shading and can really bring out detail. Basically I use a larger soft brush. First I dip it in the ink and then in water to thin it. Paint it on then dry off your brush on a towel. The brush will now be used to pick up the excess ink. For paint washes you will need to THIN THIN THIN the paint and it is harder to pick it back up with the brush. Multiple ink washes can really add depth and character. A great example is to paint a fig with chainmail. Paint the armor black, then silver. Ink wash will really make the chainmail look great.

Look at my homepage and check out my Hulks, they have been washed and dry brushed. Then glossed then dull coted. Let me know if this helps.

[Gorodish]

The best paint for both of these effects are tube acrylic such as Liquitex.

For Dry brushing use the paint straight from the tube. Use a 0 flat brush with stiff bristles. (Warning: This technique is hard on brushes so use an old/cheap one) Dab the brush in Paint, wipe it off, and then, using broad strokes, paint the area of the figure you want highlighted. This technique works best on areas with raised detail and can be used anywhere to give a nice shading. It is especially effective on capes and loose clothing.

For washes, use the same kind of acrylic and dilute with water 1:! at least. Use a paint cup to mix it. Use a 1 round brush. Dip the brush in the wash and then run it over the figure while holding the figure upside down. The paint will run off for the most part, leaving a residue only in the crevices. Do not go over the figure more than once unless the effect is too dark for your taste. after 'washing' the figure. Place it on a paper towel to dry.

Theae are the basics. It's tough to convey the subleties without pictures but the real secret is practice, practice, practice.

[CarlosMucha]

very very very well! thanks guys that really help me, now I have some questions:

Then Dry brushing is for ligh in the parts what I want more atencion or shining.
and washes is for made the "lines" more dark no?

Ok, I have a sample, what happen if I want made looks bether the blonde hair of a Supergirl, what colour I must use for the dry and what colour for the washes, I think can be a more yellow/white for the the dry no? and a black or brown for the washes (I dont know what colour is bether, you tell me), is ok this?

What I mean is how I know what colour is perfect? I think for dry always can be a more ligh scale colour, and for washes is always black or silver (for armors). Is in this way or....

[Master_of_Fire]

It seems to me that it would be better to use a brown paint for the wash becasue i havent ever seen black really used.

i also have a question about Dry brushing. If i want to make something look shingy, do i use this or do i use a gloss kind of thing

[staticxtreme]

Carlos, one of the best sites that I have seen that is dedicated to the art of miniature painting is Dr. Faust's website, check this site out and I promise you will learn quite a bit about the intricases(sp) of painting!!!!
http://www.paintingclinic.com/

this site is top notch!!!!

[Sabotage]

Thanks carlos. I wouldnt wash on hair. I'd dry brush that. Multiple ink washes can give a shiny look to surfaces.