Why does my paint look chalkey

[tootskater]

Hi when ever i drybrush or anything like that my paint ends up looking very chalkey and dried out. How do you make it look smooth and what not?

 

[TobiWan]

Doesn\'t drybrushing always look chalky anyway? ???

Have a nice day,
Tobi

 

[Trevor]

Thin your paint, this works even for drybrushing, but makes it harder to drybrush.

The smooth painting you see here is done either by layering, or by blending.

 

[Dragonsreach]

One thing to try is \"smooth drybrushing\", It\'s basically the same as drybrushing but take a good brush and wipe it until its giving a flat profile, removing as much paint as possible and then in one direction only draw the brush across the rasied area. This gives a smoother finish to the drybrushing.
Another thing to watch is don\'t add white paint (If at all possible) this tends to increase the \"Chalky \" effect quite dramatically.

 

[TobiWan]

Originally posted by Dragonsreach
[...] then in one direction only draw the brush across the rasied area. This gives a smoother finish to the drybrushing.

Cool! I\'ve never tried this before - or at least not consciously.

Have a nice day,
Tobi

 

[airhead]

You did not say what brand of paint you are using. Coarser ground pigments will look chalkier when spread so thin (dry brushed)

Yes, avoid the white.

Your clearcoat may help some here too. It will give everything the same luster which should help the chalky.

 

[Fizl]

If you want to add white, try using white ink instead of white paint, thin your paint and lighten it all in one go

Shaz

 

[wiccanpony]

This white ink intrigues me, anyone have a list of suppliers??

 

[Chrispy]

Check any art supply store for white opaque ink. Windsor & Newton make some, as well as several others just make sure it\'s not too expensive, or too cheap or it\'ll suck. The choice ink is supposed to be Dr. Martin\'s or something similiar, and I know Reinnasance Inks carries it, but no one can spell Reinnasance right..

 

[Fizl]

I use FW acrylic artists ink, I\'ve never used any of the other brands but I find that one very good. I\'m sure any art supply shop that sells calligraphy stuff will have it.

Shaz

 

[wiccanpony]

many heart felt thanks...going to look some suppliers up and place an order.