All the blogs, magazines, articles, and how-to's I've read mention dry brushing multiple times. So my guess is that it might be important. So I leave this question: What is it, how do I do it, and how does it work in general? I'm not quite a novice, but dry brushing is new to me. Thanks for any help

-Conor

With dry brushing, I take an enamel color, put a small amount on a brush, wipe off the brush until there is almost nothing left, and then brush over the model quickly and lightly. The idea is to hit the high areas, leaving a trace amount of paint on the surface of the model. The color you use depends on the effect you want to create.

I'm building a DML Panzer IV in the Russian Winter, any colors you'd suggest?

Hi Conor, Type Dry Brushing into the Armorama search bar at the top of this page. You will find some very informative info there.

Hope that helps,
milvehfan

Thanks a lot milvehfan. I got a DML panzer IV this afternoon and the number of parts really is daunting. Especially the tracks. But hopefully I'll be able to keep my patience...

You really don't have to dry brush. That technique is not used as much anymore because there are other ways and techniques to get the same result.
As a beginner washes and drybrushing is a great start. What the fellas have explained is correct. Just remember to go light with it. It's easier to apply more than to take away if you apply too much.

This is not to say that it's in any way an inferior technique, though. Just because it's not fashionable dunt make it wrong.

Not at all. The technique does have it's uses. It's just one of the many techniques in the modelers tool box.
It's often seen overdone, especially when there is a very dark wash. It also depends on the base color. I still use the drybrush tech on occasion but not over the entire model.
As with any technique the key is practice and experimenting.

Remember the Verlinden way...very dark wash and heavy dry brush ... how things change over time.