Built for the Highlight Pass
Drybrushing is one of the most satisfying techniques in the miniature painting toolkit — a quick, controlled stroke that catches raised edges and brings sculpted detail to life. The Citadel Small Dry Brush is purpose-built for exactly this step. Its short, stiff bristles are made from a blend of ox hair and synthetic fibres, giving the brush the rigidity needed to drag paint cleanly across armour plates, fur, stone texture, and basing materials without collapsing or splaying under pressure.
What Makes This Brush Different
A standard round or layer brush will soak up paint and deposit it unevenly when drybrushed — that is not what they are designed for. Drybrush-specific bristles are cut flat and kept short so they hold a small, controlled amount of near-dry paint and release it consistently across raised surfaces. The ox hair and synthetic blend in this brush balances natural stiffness with durability, holding its shape across extended painting sessions. The small size makes it ideal for drybrushing individual models, infantry squads, and detailed terrain pieces where a larger brush would overshoot fine detail.
Who It's For
Drybrushing is one of the friendliest techniques for newer painters — the results are immediate, forgiving, and effective — making this a great early addition to any painting kit. Experienced painters will reach for it on any model where edge highlights need to be fast and broad before tighter layering begins. It works across any miniature range and any paint brand: base paints, layer paints, and metallics all drybrush well. The small size sits in a sweet spot between the detail-scale Citadel Extra Small Dry Brush and the broader Medium and Large options, making it the go-to for most infantry-scale work.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Citadel (Games Workshop) |
| Product | Small Dry Brush (S Dry) |
| Tool Type | Brush — Drybrush |
| Size | Small |
| Material | Ox hair and synthetic blend |
