In this article we will detail what the dry brush painting technique in art is and define dry brush technique. We will also look at the dry brush technique on the examples of the works of famous artists.
What is dry brush painting technique?
Perhaps the secret of the dry brush painting techniques in art’s success is that it can be applied to any medium: oil, acrylic, gouache , watercolor, ink, charcoal, or pastel, you can create your masterpiece with anything! But besides the materials, the technique has several other features.How to dry brush painting? Such paintings are varnished so that the paint does not deteriorate or crack. In the same form in which the "dry brush" painting technique is implied, the varnish is not applied to the drawing. Oil paint penetrated the paper web’s structure and dried faster.
Another feature of this technique is that it is mostly drawn in monochrome, black, and white. This is because different colors of paint may not mix as you would like and create a messy background on canvas or paper.
Painting with a dry brush is usually drawn in a thin layer, but not with transparent paints. This is necessary so that it adheres better and faster to the surface.
Firstly, this method of applying paint does not require a sketch, you immediately start painting a portrait or landscape. Secondly, nothing needs to be added to the paint, neither water nor thinners, except perhaps just a few drops, and then, if necessary.
Thirdly, each paint and each material has its peculiarity. So, the "dry brush" technique with oil still requires a slight dilution of the paint with linseed oil. Then you need to squeeze out excess paint and oil and start applying paint in a thin layer on paper or canvas.
In oil painting, you can also use old dried paint on a brush, carefully applying it to the surface and shading it. By the way, some artists use oil pastels in addition to paint. It is like crayons or wax pencils, it is also very convenient to work with.
Thirdly, each paint and each material has its peculiarity. So, the "dry brush" technique with oil still requires a slight dilution of the paint with linseed oil. Then you need to squeeze out excess paint and oil and start applying paint in a thin layer on paper or canvas.
In oil painting, you can also use old dried paint on a brush, carefully applying it to the surface and shading it. By the way, some artists use oil pastels in addition to paint. It is like crayons or wax pencils, it is also very convenient to work with.
Examples of dry brush painting in art
The dry brush technique was used by Chinese medieval artists when painting landscapes. They used brushes of different sizes to achieve different effects. Street artists began to use acrylic dry brush painting and dry brush oil painting in the middle of the last century, painting portraits to order.Since this technique is unique and universal in its way, you can paint anything — portraits, landscapes, still lifes. Pictures in this technique are peculiar, similar to pencil or charcoal sketches, but most often they are compared with photographs.
Because of the excellent transmission of sharpness and accuracy of the depicted object. Perhaps partly for this reason, the dry brush acrylic technique has become popular with both artists and ordinary people who want to get their portraits.
