Useful tips for pet portrait painting

Watercolour painting techniques: Dry brush painting

'Dry brush' is a technique in which paint straight from the tube is mixed with little or no water, then applied to a textured paper. The tooth of the paper catches the paint whilst leaving some areas free. Dry Brush strokes have an interesting ragged quality that suits subjects that require texture effects like tree bark, wood, grasses and foliage. It is particularly suited to watercolour painting as it can give the impression of detail without having to show it.

Experiment with various types of brush mark to see what effects can be achieved. Also vary the size and shape of brushes to get different results. Damp the brush first, but reduce the moisture content by semi-drying it using tissue. Drag the brush at 45 degrees lightly across the paper using quick continuous strokes. Try short stippled ones and curving strokes to suggest natural forms. Foliage is best shown with jabs of the brush head first into the paint then gently on the paper. Wood grain can be described with a very dry brush, dragged lightly across the paper with varying pressure. Water can be shown with slightly thinner paint applied quickly with long, light brush strokes. This leaves a slight speckle that looks similar to the shimmer of light on the surface of water.