Dry Brushing Miniatures: A Beginner's Guide 🎨

Hey there, maker! If you've ever printed a miniature with incredible detail and then thought "how on earth do I paint this to make it really pop?", I've got you covered. Today I'm going to walk you through one of the most powerful and rewarding techniques in miniature painting: the drybrushing technique for miniatures, also known as dry brushing.

Trust me, it's an almost magical technique that transforms a flat, lifeless figure into a textured work of art with real depth — and it only takes minutes. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to pick up. Let's dive in!

What is the drybrushing technique?

Picture this: you load a brush with paint, then wipe off almost all of it on a paper towel until it looks like the brush is barely holding any paint at all. At that point — when the brush is almost dry — you lightly drag it across your miniature with quick, sweeping strokes.

The result? That tiny amount of remaining paint catches only the highest points: edges, raised details, textures... while the recesses and deeper areas keep their dark base colour. You're essentially creating highlights and shadows in no time, making every detail pop in a dramatic way.

It's one of my favourite techniques for bringing the figures I print with my 3D printer resins to life. It works brilliantly and saves you a huge amount of time.

What is drybrushing used for? Main applications

Despite looking simple, this technique is incredibly versatile. Here are the three main ways I use it:

As you can see, drybrushing isn't just for beginners. When used well, it's a technique that delivers genuinely professional results.

Essential Materials for Quality Drybrushing

The temptation to just grab whatever's lying around is real, but trust me — the right materials make an enormous difference. After trying all sorts of options, here's what I'd recommend.

The Brush: Your Secret Weapon

We've all started out using an old, beat-up brush. And hey, for emergencies or practice, it'll do the job. But the splayed, uneven bristles of a worn-out brush leave scratches and a finish that looks like you've sanded your mini. Not a good look!

My golden tip: Invest in a brush specifically designed for drybrushing. The difference in quality is massive. You go from a dusty, rough effect to a smooth, controlled transition that looks absolutely stunning.

There are brushes made specifically for this purpose, with short, dense bristles and often a flat or rounded tip.

• For beginners: The Vallejo dry brushes are fantastic all-rounders. They're tough, have great density, and offer incredible value for money.
• For pro-level work: If you want maximum precision, the Artis Opus Series D drybrush brushes are the crown jewel. Their rounded shape is incredible for creating subtle gradients.

The Paint and the "Palette"

For drybrushing, you need a paint with good pigmentation and a consistency that isn't too runny. If it's too watery, it'll seep into the recesses and ruin the effect. In my experience, Vallejo paints from their Game Color or Model Color ranges work brilliantly — they have exactly the right body for this technique.

As for your palette, forget the wet palette! Your best friend here is a simple piece of cardboard or paper towel. Its porous surface is perfect for offloading excess paint and getting your brush to just the right dryness.

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Drybrushing

Alright, let's get into it! I'm going to walk you through my foolproof method for nailing the drybrushing technique from your very first attempt. Follow these steps and see the difference for yourself.

1. Loading the Brush: Less Is More

Pick up your drybrush and dip just the tip into the paint. Don't dunk the whole brush in! A small amount on the very ends of the bristles is more than enough. Remember, you can always pick up more paint, but removing it is a hassle.

2. Offloading: The Best-Kept Secret

This is the step that 90% of people get wrong. Once you have paint on the brush, you need to remove almost all of it. Grab your piece of paper towel or cardboard and wipe the brush vigorously. At first it'll leave a strong mark. Keep wiping until the brush barely leaves any trace at all.

My tip: When you think there's no paint left, give it one more wipe. Trust me, there's still enough pigment in the bristles. That's exactly the sweet spot you're after!

3. Application: Pressure and Direction Are Everything

Now, onto the miniature. The movement should be quick and very light — almost like a gentle stroke.

• Direction: Your brush strokes should always run perpendicular to the texture. If you're painting chainmail, move the brush up and down, not along the rings. This stops paint from sinking into the recesses.
• Pressure: Start with almost no pressure at all. You'll see how the highest raised areas pick up the pigment. Keep building up passes, very gradually increasing the pressure to highlight slightly less prominent areas. This gradual control is what creates smooth, natural transitions.

And that's it! You've just applied a drybrush layer like a total pro.

Common Drybrushing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

We've all been there: turning a perfectly good mini into a chalky, powdery mess. Don't worry — let's go through the most common drybrushing mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: The Chalky or Dusty Effect

The problem: Instead of soft highlights, your mini looks like it's been dipped in flour. This happens when your brush is too dry or you're using low-quality paint that breaks down into powder.

The fix: Make sure your brush, even after wiping, still leaves a faint mark on paper. Use paints with good pigmentation. If it's already happened, a coat of matte varnish at the end can do a surprisingly good job of disguising it.

Mistake 2: Blobs and Streaks of Paint

The problem: The most common mistake of all. You go straight at the mini with a brush that's still loaded and — boom — a blob that wipes out all the detail. The cause is simple: not taking the time to properly offload the brush.

The fix: Be patient! Wipe the brush thoroughly. If you do make a mistake, act fast: use a clean, slightly damp brush to blend out the blob before it dries.

Mistake 3: Pressing Too Hard and Losing Detail

The problem: You apply too much pressure, paint seeps into the recesses, and suddenly you've lost all your contrast.

The fix: Drybrushing is about light, feathery strokes — not brute force. Three gentle passes will always beat one heavy-handed swipe. You'll keep far more control, and the result will look infinitely more natural.

Combining Drybrushing with Washes for a Pro Finish

Drybrushing is fantastic on its own, but if you want to take your minis to the next level, you need to combine it with other techniques. The winning combo — one I use 90% of the time — is wash + drybrush.

This is a golden rule, non-negotiable: the wash ALWAYS goes first.

1. Base Coat: Paint your miniature in its base colours.
2. Wash (Shade): Apply a wash (an ink or shade) over the model. It will pool in the recesses, creating deep shadows and defining the detail. Wait for it to dry COMPLETELY!
3. Drybrush: Now you're ready. Using your drybrush, apply a lighter colour over the raised areas. The highlights you create will contrast with the shadows from the wash, producing stunning depth and volume in record time.

This combination is the best approach for painting armies quickly while still getting a great result. It's also worth making sure the primer on your miniatures is good quality, so both washes and drybrushing adhere properly.

Conclusion: Now Get Practising!

And that's a wrap! You now have one of the most powerful and rewarding techniques in the hobby firmly in your toolkit. Drybrushing is easy to pick up, but it has real depth — you'll keep finding new ways to improve the more you use it.

My final tip: don't be afraid to experiment. Try different miniature brushes, play with pressure, mix colours, and above all — practise, practise, practise. Every mini you paint will make you better.

Now it's your turn. Grab that model you've been putting off, pick up a brush, get your favourite paint out, and go for it. You'll be amazed at the results.