Dry brush

Many watercolorists enjoy exploring different and creative ways to bring various forms of texture to their paintings. This includes the use of the dry brush technique.

Dry brush is a versatile and creative technique that places more pigment and less water onto the surface of your paper. This technique works best on watercolor paper that has a nice texture to it, such as rough or even cold press.

Dry brushing is a fairly easy technique. To use it,  the brush must be loaded with color, then blot it several times onto a paper towel. Using only the side of your brush hairs, lightly skim over the surface of the paper. To deepen the value, repeat the skimming strokes again, after the surface has been allowed to dry.  This last part is very important.

When you vary the speed the brush movement you have slightly different  effects. Experiment to see the differences. Varying the pressure will also create fun effects. Painting with less water will have greater variety of edges.

Dry bush marks add a great deal of energy and interest to a painting.  This type of  brush stroke creates a range of broken edges implying neither hard nor soft edges. It can be used to create sparkle on water in seascapes and river paintings or creating impressions of foliage on trees or creating rough bark on tree trunks.  There are so many different uses for this technique.

Another variation on the application of his technique that I like to use, is to dry brush an area and then apply a spray and letting some of the edges soften and merge.

This weeks artist find is Cathy Hillegas

Have a great week
Danielle