Faux Paint Techniques: How to Dry Brush with Paint

Here is a step by step guide to learning how to dry brush. So many crafts, shabby chic paint finishes, and other DIY painting projects require you o dry brush. Dry brushing is an easy way to streak on paint onto any surface.

Learning how to dry brush paint is an easy and useful faux paint technique you can sue for years to come.

To Learn How to Dry Brush You Will Need:

Paint

Paper Towel

Paint Brush

How to Dry Brush Step 1: The Brush

Learning how to dry brush starts with the actual paint brush. A stiff bristle paint brush, no matter the size, will always work best. Look for natural hair brushes if possible. The simply give you’re the stiff feel you need to dry brush.

With that being said, if all you have is soft nylon paint brushes or synthetic paint brushes, you can still dry brush. You wall simply not get the great stiff streaky lines though.

If you have any paint brushes that are a little hard or stiff from not washing them properly after other DIY projects and paint techniques, then these ar perfect for learning how to dry brush.

How to Dry Brush Step 2: The Paint

Almost any paint or stain will work well when learning how to dry brush. I personally prefer to use latex paints or acrylic paints. Something about the plastic base of these paints really lends itself well t dry brushing.

How to Dry Brush Step 3: The Process

Now, on to how to dry brush since you are armed with what materials you will need.

So, ally out your sheet of paper towel or scrap paper. Right next to it lay out your piece of work paper or a sheet of wood to practice on.

Now, dip your stiff bristled paint brush into the paint, about an inch. If you are using a small paint brush, then only go about 1/8^th of the ay up the brush bristles. You do not want to soak or saturate the paint brush.

Now, dab the paint brush onto the paper towel to remove some of the paper.

Lightly run your somewhat dry paintbrush across the paper or wood surface you are practicing on.

Work on how hard you are pressing on the paper or wood to achieve the amount and size of streaks you wish! You have now mastered the faux paint technique of dry brushing! This is one of the easiest and the perfect faux technique for shabby chic and vintage hoe d�©cor projects!