Drybrush Painting

Chaney Hackney with incomplete base.
I've heard a few artists mention that they disliked painting bases. I had to confess that bases were a favorite of mine to paint and I preferred to paint them using a dry brush technique.

As I was preparing this Chaney Hackney for sale I decided to document the dry brush painting technique on the base. The technique itself is so simple it's actually fun. Here's how to do it.

Each base or item you'll be dry brushing can be broken down into a dark color, a medium color, and a light color. Basically, the dark color is applied first on the object then that color is lightened and applied and then the "middle" color is lightened even further and applied. Application is done "dry".

Pictures actually help explain the technique better than words ever could. Please take note of the images with the paper towel. It's the most important part of the process.

Mix the darkest color (in this case a deep dark green).

Apply the dark color to the entire base
making sure to get into grooves.

Once entire base it painted let dry thoroughly.

Mix a lighter version of the dark color and then begin to
blot the brush on a clean dry paper towel.

As you eliminate the paint from the brush onto the paper towel the
intensity of the actual paint lessens. When just a little bit of color can be brushed on the paper towel, the brush is ready to use.

Apply the dry paint right on top of the darker color.
Anything raised will receive color. Grooves
will retain the first color painted on the base.

Take the color just applied and lighten it further.

Blot this lighter color on the paper towel and apply slowly.
This color will serve as the highlight.