How to Drybrush and Wetbrush Ceramics

These techniques add color to and bring out the texture of your projects.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic Paints
• Acrylic Paints
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Paper towels
• stiff, round brushes

Drybrushing

1. Dip the tip of a dry, stiff, round-bristled brush into a dab of acrylic paint.

2. Zigzag the brush on a paper towel or paper grocery bag until you've removed most of the color.

3. Brush the end of the bristles briskly back and forth across, not with, the texture of the piece.

Wetbrushing

4. Dip the tip of a moist, stiff, round-bristled brush into a dab of acrylic paint.

5. Zigzag the brush on a paper towel or paper grocery bag until you've removed most of the color. Because the brush is wet to begin with, more paint stays on the bristles.

6. Brush the end of the bristles briskly back and forth across the texture of the piece as when drybrushing.

Tips & Warnings

• Use wetbrushing as an alternative to drybrushing for more vivid and smoother colors. Pearls and metallic colors are particularly good paints to try this with.
• Refrain from rubbing or wiping a smudged area that has received too much paint. Wait for it to dry and go over it with a darker color. Then, rebrush it.

[jlb509]

on 10/21/2008 HELP?!?!? Several years ago I painted ceramic Christmas trees and drybrushed them with acrylic paints. They came out great, everyone is asking for one for Christmas. Here is my dilemma, my ceramic instructor has retired and I know you base coat in black, but I have no idea what other colors to use. Can someone please send me some suggestions? I really appreciate it!
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on 10/10/2008 Drybrushing can also be used with underglazes, particularly concentrated ones, such as Duncan EZ Strokes. Lighter or darker colors can be used to add detail to otherwise boring solid color areas.