IONIC DRYBRUSH Copper

What it is

One shade from the IONIC DRYBRUSH range, that is from the paints intended for work with a dry brush. The designation Copper names a copper tone, that is a warm red-brown with an orange cast. It is not a base covering coat but a paint that adds light on the edges of a finished base.

What it is suited to

The copper tone fits anywhere a surface is meant to suggest copper: piping and services, boilers and tanks, riveted vessels, alembics and distilling apparatus, machine parts in the steampunk style or decorative bands on fantasy armor. It is also used as an intermediate step under a green patina, because a warm base shows through a fine green cast and the surface then looks older. It reads more strongly over a dark base than over a light one.

How to work with a dry brush

Pick up a small amount of paint, wipe it off on a paper towel and try a stroke on scrap. As long as the brush draws a continuous line there is still too much paint on it; a correctly set brush leaves only a fine dusting on the edges. Lay it down in several light passes rather than one heavy one, since it can always be strengthened and hardly ever taken away. Thinning does not help with this technique, as the paint then runs into the recesses instead of onto the edges. Wash the brush out immediately after work, as dried paint at the ferrule will ruin the bristles.

Who it is for

For builders of dioramas, figures and wargaming models who want to pick raised relief out quickly. This is a single shade, not a set. The thinner meant for this range and the thinning ratio are given by the manufacturer on the packaging. A brush, thinner and further paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.