Painting 101:  

Dry brush technique and textures

by Tissa Hewavitarane

The technique of using a dry brush is one of the most interesting exercise that can be performed with watercolour. Naturally, it is not something to be used at all times, since some areas of a painting will inevitably demand techniques involving blending colours or creating gradations. Various effects can be achieved by using dry brush technique.

A dry brush stroke on a dry background brings out the grain of the paper and can create an interplay with previously applied coats of paint. A dry brush can also be used to paint over a white surface or one previously tinted with a wash. Sunsets with their rich glowing colours have already been a popular painting subject.

Observe the dry brush strokes applied on this beautiful waterfall. Notice the trees on the distance with rough brush strokes and heavy loaded paints depicting the bushes adds colourful picture. Cascade of water flowing down from a hill top, the word that springs quickly to mind is 'exuberance'.

The artist reacts not merely to the appearance of the whole scenery but to the pulse and energy it contains. Every inch of the painting is alive and vibrant. With its sweeping, fluid, brush strokes, the picture makes us feel the energy of the wind and the water rushing over the rocks.

Dry brush techniques are generally used on rough paper, allowing the textural surface to do much of the work. Add a flat brush with watercolour and squeeze most of it out in the palette. Dry brush passages can be put on clear white paper or over a dried wash.

Try working on an entire painting using only dry brush, just for the experience and feel of the technique. Not often is an entire painting done in dry brush it is used to express texture or how crispness against the fall of a wet wash or smoothly applied colour. The technique in most cases is excellent for leaves coarse cloth, tree barks, rocks or dry wood.

It is difficult to use just the technique of painting on a wet background or just the technique of painting on a dry background in any given painting. Usually both are used simultaneously to achieve desired effects of each, capturing the fusion of tones on the one hand and the precision of a dry brush stroke on the other.

The only problem posed, is that these two techniques demand completely different drying times between application. If the base is wet, the newly applied paint will spread and merge. If the base is solid, the brush strokes will appear definite and precise. Loose dry brush strokes allow the waterfall painting to 'fade out' at the edges concentrating our attention on the waterfall - the focal point. Downward sweeping strokes propel the eye to the waterfall. Energetic brush strokes convey movement.

To capture the beauty of nature

If you can capture the inherent dynamics of nature with your brush strokes, your paintings will have more life and more emotional impact. Achieving this energy and spontaneity, without losing control of the medium requires skill, and this can only be gained through practice. Remember, you don't have to paint a masterpiece every time: Sometimes it's good simply to experiment and discover new ways of manipulating the brush and the paint.

Expressive brush strokes can only be achieved if your hand and arm are relaxed. Try to convey the movement and energy inherent in living forms by varying the speed, thrust and direction of your brush strokes. The interaction of fingers, wrist and arms is important here. Use your whole arm to make fast weeping strokes that capture the turbulence of a stormy sky, for fine, precise details, rest the heel of your hand on the paper and use your fingers and wrist only. Remember, the way you manipulate brush, water and paint can have a marked effect on the emotional quality of the finished work.

Paper texture

The kind of paper you choose will play a part in the textures you create. For instance, dry brush texturing is especially effective on rough paper, which catches at the paint and breaks it up. On the smooth non-absorbent surface of hot pressed paper, watercolour has a tendency to puddle. Take advantage of this by swirling the paint with your brush, or impressing with a sponge or crumpled tissue to create the texture of rocks.

Scraping out

Scraping out can be done with any sharp item, from a knife to your finger nail. Sharp, clean lines are created by scraping into dry paint; a blunter edge, such as the end of your paint brush can be used to scrape softer lines and marks out semi-dry paint.

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