 |
| Drybrush |
So, from my previous post I detailed specifically about Wet on Dry, and since Watercolor is all about exploring and experimenting, I decided to try a different technique out of the four, that was quite foreign and the most difficult to me, the Drybrush technique. Excerpt from the book, Basic Watercolor Techniques, by Grey Albert and Rachel Wolf; “Sometimes called dry on dry, as the brush has very little paint in it and the paper is dry” (Albert and Wolf 19). Using the same colors from my previous post, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Prussian Blue, I wanted to see how it contrasted to the Wet on Dry technique. Of course, it’s quite obvious, one is slightly wet and one is completely dry. But I truly wanted to put myself in a new area where I wasn’t so confident.
Trying the Drybrush technique was quite
difficult, there seemed to be a conflict between putting too much paint or
putting too little that it was close to none. Though, according to Albert and
Wolf, the Wet on Dry Technique is commonly used for the background of a
painting, while the Drybrush technique is most often used to create texture for
trees and wood (Albert and Wolf 19)
Perhaps, this is another reason why it is so difficult for me to use it, I rarely apply this of technique for painting trees and nature, it never really occurred to me. I had often just wetted my brush with some color and painted in an outline of a tree and filled it in. Never with a drybrush and paint.
Perhaps, this is another reason why it is so difficult for me to use it, I rarely apply this of technique for painting trees and nature, it never really occurred to me. I had often just wetted my brush with some color and painted in an outline of a tree and filled it in. Never with a drybrush and paint.
In the two pictures below, I’m going to be using the Wet on Dry and the Drybrush technique for adding texture to the tree. Using the same little background from my last post, I’m going to be using the color Black and both the Wet on Dry and Drybrush technique to paint some trees.
First, on the right side, using a dry
brush with some black paint, I’m going to try to add some
texture to the tree. Then on the left side, using the Wet on Dry technique I’m going to do the same.
 |
| Drybrush |
 | |
| Wet on Dry |
Comparing the two techniques below, in which one of them I’m not so good at, there’s a difference and it affects the painting. The Drybrush leaves a rougher edge to the tree while the Wet on Dry blends in and adds some shadows. Though, I’m not quite capable of using the Drybrush technique, and I honestly find it difficult to use, it’s useful for experimenting with different textures and ways to paint.
 | |
| Wet on Dry & Drybrush |
Albert, Greg, and Rachel Wolf. Basic Watercolor Techniques. Cincinnati,
Ohio: North Light Books, 1991. Print.
To be good at any skill, I don't think you NEED to master EVERY technique in the book. Everyone has their own style, and therefore would do that fits to them or their way of doing things. Referring back to your post, drybrush was more difficult for you to use and would probably not fit your needs. You can still be skilled in painting without mastering the drybrush technique. It's whatever works for you!
ReplyDelete