How to Dry Brush Paint Models? | Edge Highlights Made Simple

Dry brushing uses a stiff brush with almost no paint, lightly dragged across raised details so pigment catches only on the highest edges.

Dry brushing paint on models creates sharp highlights on raised texture without painting every recess. The technique works for miniatures, scale models, and scenic terrain alike — and once you know the brush action and paint-loading routine, you can pull it off in minutes per surface. The method stays fundamentally the same across all model types, so the steps below apply whether you are painting a 28mm space marine or a 1:72 tank.

What Is Dry Brushing for Models?

Dry brushing is a highlighting technique: you load a brush with paint, remove nearly all of it on an absorbent surface, then lightly sweep the brush over raised details so only the edges and texture catch pigment. The recesses stay dark, which creates natural contrast and depth.

The effect is strongest on textured surfaces and sharp raised detail. Smooth, flat areas barely catch any paint, so this technique works best on models with visible edges, scales, fur, armor plates, or rough stone.

Multiple hobby guides describe the motion as light back-and-forth passes, often perpendicular to the edges or texture you want to highlight. Build up the effect in thin passes rather than trying to nail it in one go — that gives you control over how strong the highlight ends up.

Step-by-Step: How to Dry Brush a Model

Start With a Dark Base Coat

Most model-painting sources recommend beginning with a dark flat base coat. The base color fills the recesses and provides the shadows, while the drybrushed lighter color catches only the tops. For best grip, apply the dry brush over a primed or flat-coated surface.

Choose the Right Brush

Short, stiff-bristle brushes deliver the best results. Some sources specifically recommend flat-shaped drybrush brushes or synthetic brushes with firm bristles. The stiffness lets the paint catch on edges rather than smearing into low spots. If you are looking for reliable picks, our tested roundup of brushes for model painting covers the shapes and stiffness levels that work best for drybrushing.

Load Paint and Remove Excess

Dip only the tip of the bristles into the paint — never soak the brush. Then wipe the brush firmly on a paper towel, blotter, or similar textured absorbent surface. Keep wiping until almost no paint comes off on the towel. The brush should feel fairly dry, not wet. This step is the single most important part: too much paint on the brush floods the recesses and ruins the effect.

Apply Lightly Over Raised Details

Sweep or flick the brush gently over the model’s raised surfaces. Use light pressure — heavy pressing forces paint into low areas and creates streaks instead of clean highlights. Keep the passes short and in the direction of the detail you want to catch. You can repeat the pass with slightly lighter shades of the same color to build stronger highlights gradually.

Repeat With Lighter Colors

Once the first pass is dry, you can add a second layer using a lighter shade of your base color for a stronger edge highlight. Each pass should be even lighter in pressure and paint load. Acrylics dry fast and let you work quickly; oils give you a longer working time but require different timing on the brush load.

Common Dry Brushing Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much paint on the brush. This is the most repeated failure mode. If the brush still visibly deposits paint on the towel, it is not ready for the model. Keep wiping.
• Pressing too hard. Heavy pressure forces paint into recesses and creates muddy highlights. The touch should be light and fast.
• Skipping excess-paint removal. Jumping straight from the paint pot to the model guarantees a mess. The paper-towel step is not optional.
• Using a soft or wet brush. Stiff bristles catch edges; soft bristles smear. Drybrushing wears brushes out faster, so hobby sources recommend using an older or less valuable brush for the technique rather than your detail brush.
• Drybrushing on smooth surfaces. The technique depends on raised detail and texture. Smooth panels and flat areas barely benefit, so save drybrushing for edges and rough areas.

Goonhammer’s drybrushing guide covers the brush types and moisture levels in more depth, including how the technique differs between acrylics and oils.