How does dry brushing work?

Load the brush with paint, then wipe most of it off on a paper towel until barely any paint remains. Lightly sweep the brush across raised detail. The small amount of remaining paint catches only on edges and high points, creating a highlight effect.

What type of brush should I use?

Use a flat, stiff-bristled brush. Old worn brushes are perfect. Dedicated dry brushes from makeup suppliers also work well. Never use your good detail brushes for dry brushing as the technique wears bristles quickly.

How many passes do I need?

Start with 1-2 light passes and assess. Build up gradually — it is much easier to add more dry brushing than to remove it. Two passes usually gives a subtle, natural highlight.

ModelCalcs

Dry Brush Calculator — Paint & Brush Sizing

Estimate paint quantity and recommended brush size for dry brushing techniques on your models.

Surface Area to Dry Brush

Raised area you will catch with the brush — a 28mm infantry mini is roughly 20-40 cm².

Number of Passes

How many dry-brush passes to apply — 1-2 light passes is typical, building up gradually.

How We Calculate This

Dry brushing uses minimal paint because you wipe roughly 90% of it off the brush before touching the model. The calculator estimates total consumption as surface area × paint rate × passes, then suggests a flat brush size from the area. The default 0.002ml per cm² per pass is an approximate bench guide, not a measured constant — actual usage varies with how dry you keep the brush and how hard you press. Adjust the Paint Rate in Advanced Options if your habit differs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.