Dry brushing is one of the easiest miniature painting techniques you can learn. It is the foundation for so many cool special effects that I always recommend dry brushing to new painters. Of course, for reliable results, you’ll want to use dedicated dry brushes, which have durable, stiff bristles that help you apply dried pigment to your working surface. When I was offered a chance to review the Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set, I jumped at the chance: Could this reasonably priced set live up to its promise of being “everything you need to start drybrushing in miniature painting”?
In this article, I share my in-depth review of the Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set, covering its components, how it performs in practice, and tips for getting the best out of this drybrushing kit. I also briefly compare these new dry brushes against other brushes that have been in my painting rotation for years.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review. Notts Hobbies sent me this set for review purposes, but all opinions are my own, based on my extensive experience as a commissioned miniature painter and hobbyist who loves to paint miniatures.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Drybrushing Kit: The Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set includes three drybrushes, a texture palette, dampening sponge, brush soap, and a dice bag, making it a convenient all-in-one solution for miniature painters.
- Excellent Performance: The set delivers reliable results with effective tools for paint control, demonstrated during my testing on a rock golem board game miniature (see my review of The Descent board game), showcasing natural textures and easy and fun weathering effects.
- Are They Worth it? Priced at around $47 USD, this set offers great value for beginners and experienced hobbyists, combining quality brushes and useful accessories.
Read on to learn more about my thoughts about the dry brush kit from Notts Hobbies!
What’s Inside the SET
The Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set includes:
Three Drybrushes
Small, medium, and large drybrushes, each designed for different applications, from intricate highlights to broad coverage for larger models. The brushes have black handles and fairly stiff bristles, providing a perfect balance of firmness and softness. The rounded tips glide easily over raised surfaces, even when the bristles are dry, allowing for what I experienced as consistent drybrushing without streaks. I’ve used countless drybrushes over the years, and these have held up well over a couple weeks of aggressive drybrushing.
The Notts Hobbies brushes come in three sizes: large, medium, and small. The large drybrush has a bristle length of approximately 3.0 cm (1.18 in) and a bristle diameter of around 14 mm (0.55 in). The medium drybrush features a bristle length of about 2.5 cm (0.98 in) with a diameter of 10 mm (0.39 in). The small drybrush has a bristle length of approximately 2.0 cm (0.79 in) and a diameter of 8 mm (0.31 in).
Dampening Sponge
The black dampening sponge, in a circular case, keeps the brush from becoming too dry and allows for softer, controlled gradients—perfect for subtle effects on cloaks or armor. In my article on Zenithal Dry Brushing and Slapchop Painting, I discuss how maintaining the right moisture level can make a significant difference. The sponge helps achieve that ideal consistency, especially during longer painting sessions.
The dampening sponge is also made of a really durable plastic, so you can clean it when it gets too gunked up with old, dried up paint. Just pull the texture sponge out of the container, and rinse it off under running water. Let it dry, and then re-insert the sponge back into its holder. You’re good to go!
Brush Soap
The included brush soap is excellent for maintaining your brushes and prolonging their usability. It has a creamy, smooth consistency that makes cleaning feel effortless. It has a wonderful fruity scent, reminiscent of a gentle citrus aroma—very sweet—which adds a pleasant touch to the otherwise mundane task of brush cleaning. After using it, my brushes felt soft and rejuvenated.
A bit of time to let them dry out and they would be ready for my next session. I made it a habit to use the brush soap at the end of each painting session, gently lathering the bristles to remove all paint residue.
This practice ensured that my drybrushes stayed in great condition, preventing the buildup of dried paint and keeping the bristles flexible for the next use. Now, if you’re wondering how this brush soap compares to say, Master’s brush soap cleaner, I’ll only say that’s just soap.
Wooden Texture texture palette (or Hobby Tray)
The Wooden Texture Palette Tray is an essential accessory in the Drybrushing Set. It is a branded wooden board, engraved with the Notts Hobbies logo, designed for preparing your drybrush before painting. The texture palette is used to evenly distribute paint on the drybrush, allowing you to offload excess paint and moisture. This ensures that the bristles are properly prepared before you apply the pigment to your model. Unlike cardboard or paper towels, the wooden texture palette did not leave fibers or other debris in my bristles.
Pro tip: Always rub off most of the wet paint onto a texture surface before approaching your miniature. You want your pigments “dry” before applying them. This is a crucial step in the drybrushing technique, as it prevents overloading the brush, which can lead to blotchy or excessive coverage on your miniature.
A neat use I found with the wooden palette: It also served as my “hobby tray”. In my setup, for example, I used the wooden palette to move my stuff from one work area to another, e.g., to my airbrush booth, or to my photography studio (check out the photos below).
Dice Bag
A fun bonus, the dice bag featuring the Notts Hobbies logo adds a nice touch for the set. The bag can be repurposed to store your drybrushes, gaming accessories, whatever, when you’re on the move, keeping them all in one place. If you’re interested, I’ve reviewed some of the best dice bags for D&D and tabletop games in another article—check them out here.
Things You’ll Find in the Notts Hobbies Drybrush Set
| Item | Description | Dimensions/Specs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Drybrush | For broad coverage on large models | Bristle length: 3.0 cm (1.18 in); Diameter: 14 mm (0.55 in) | Rounded tip, stiff bristles for even application |
| Medium Drybrush | For general drybrushing on mid-sized models | Bristle length: 2.5 cm (0.98 in); Diameter: 10 mm (0.39 in) | Balanced firmness, versatile use |
| Small Drybrush | For detailed highlights and fine textures | Bristle length: 2.0 cm (0.79 in); Diameter: 8 mm (0.31 in) | Good for precision work |
| Dampening Sponge | Controls moisture for subtle gradients | Circular case; reusable sponge | Add minimal water for best results; easy to clean |
| Brush Soap | Cleans and conditions brush bristles | Compact container | Fruity citrus scent; prolongs brush life |
| Wooden Texture Palette | Surface for offloading paint from brushes | Approx. 8.5” x 11” | No fiber shedding; doubles as hobby tray |
| Dice Bag | Storage for brushes or accessories | Drawstring closure | Embroidered Notts Hobbies logo |
My Impression using the drybrush set in painting Board game miniatures
I tested the set on several miniatures—old Warhammer models and D&D terrain pieces. Here’s what stood out in test in an clear example with a board game miniature:
Drybrush Painting a Rock Golem from the Descent Legends of the Dark Board Game
To really put these drybrushes to the test, I used them on a rock golem miniature from the Descent Board Game by Fantasy Flight. The rock golem’s textured stone surfaces were perfect for showcasing what the Notts Hobbies drybrushes could do.
step-by-step breakdown of how to Dry Brush a Tabletop Gaming Miniature:
Step 1: Prime the Miniature
I started by priming the miniature with a dark gray/black primer base. This base coat provides depth and shadow to enhance the subsequent drybrushing. No spray primer? Here’s how you prime miniatures with a brush.
Step 2: First Drybrush Layer
Using the Notts Hobbies large drybrush, I quickly added a layer of gray drybrush over the primer. This step was fast and efficient, with the large brush providing excellent coverage for broad areas.
Step 3: Adding Contrast
To add contrast, I used a brighter gray—almost white—on the medium and small drybrushes. I applied this to the edges and raised surfaces for more detailed highlights. This gradual build-up of lighter colors resulted in a natural, stone-like texture.
Step 4: Texture Palette for Control
Throughout the process, I used the texture palette at each stage to offload excess paint. This helped maintain the ideal moisture level in the brush bristles, ensuring I could achieve thin, even layers of pigment with full control over how much color was applied.
Step 5: Applying Weathering with Sponges
Using the Notts Hobbies Complete Weathering Set, I used the weathering sponge holder to randomly stipple on bits of green and bright greenish-blue hues. The sponge holder, with its grabber arms, made it easy to apply the sponges precisely. This step added stochastic spots of color to simulate moss or a weathered, jungle-like effect, enhancing the overall look of the rock golem. For more details about this weathering step and the Notts Hobbies Complete Weathering Set that makes this process super easy, see the section below.
Adding Special Effects with the Weathering Set
To enhance the rock golem, I used the Notts Hobbies Complete Weathering Set, which includes Weathering Sponges and a Sponge Holder. The sponge holder, equipped with grabber arms that open like a syringe, securely holds small sponge cubes—ideal for stippling paint onto the model’s surface.
By the way you can use these sponges like how I use cosmetic sponges to paint miniatures with oil paints.
How to Add Weathering Effects
Using the sponge holder, I applied shades of green and bright greenish-blue to simulate moss and create a jungle-like effect, adding realistic texture and depth.
I really enjoyed this process, and the metal-heft of the sponge holder gave me a lot of control. It felt balanced and made the random dabbing motion to apply paint with the sponge really easy and deliberate.
Here my random, or stochastic, application of colors brought the golem to life, giving it an realistic, weathered look. The neutral gray paints I added earlier with its subtle contrast-y undertone really came to life with this color.
The sponges were versatile, allowing me to add texture to both large surfaces and small crevices, making the weathering set effective for all types of miniatures, from infantry to vehicles–which I tried in other tests. When combined with “slap chop” drybrushing techniques, the weathering set provided an exceptionally interesting finish that give the model a bit of extra-character. And, I’ll say it again—the process was fun!
Using the texture palette throughout the weathering process helped maintain control and allowed me to apply the nuance of color. The sponge was also reusable across multiple projects, beyond this miniature painting. Just make sure you allow the old color to dry, and apply more over the top when you’re ready. Toss out the used sponge when it gets too caked up with old, dried out paint pigment.
Overall, the tools from Notts Hobbies worked seamlessly together, making the entire painting experience efficient and enjoyable.
How to Get the Best Out of This Set
In my tutorial on How to Dry Brush Miniatures, I emphasize important techniques for achieving really nice results. I also show you some tips and tricks to help you along the way with the dry brush technique. If you’re new to drybrushing or want to improve your technique, here’s how to get the most out of the Notts Hobbies Drybrushing Set:
- Load Paint Sparingly: Use the texture palette to offload most of the paint from your brush. The brush should be nearly dry before touching your model—this ensures you highlight only the raised details.
- Control Moisture with the Sponge and Texture Palette: The dampening sponge can soften the drybrushing effect. For techniques like zenithal highlights or smooth gradients, a dampened brush gives a more subtle, blended look. Use the texture palette to dry your bristles even further, leaving behind dried pigment. This will give you more control, but will also add a bit of a rough (but fine) textured character to your paint application.
- Paint Handling: Use paint directly from the bottle or pot. Don’t dilute your paint when loading your dry brush with pigment.
- Practice: Drybrushing takes practice for all miniature painters.
- Model Type: The best models for drybrushing have lots of edges, crevices, and texture, such as fur, textured skin, or armor plates.
Practicing the technique and choosing models with lots of texture—like those with fur, scales, or armor plates—can make a huge difference. The point is that drybrushing is an efficient way to paint complex or simple things without worrying yourself with “staying within the lines.”.
Comparison with Army Painter and Citadel Drybrushes
In case you were wondering, here’s how the Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set compares to the Army Painter Drybrush Set and Citadel Drybrushes (the biggest competitors):
Brush Quality
The Notts Hobbies brushes feature natural bristles that strike a good balance between firmness and softness. Army Painter brushes are stiffer and you’ll need to use a lighter touch when painting to avoid steaks. Citadel drybrushes are similar in this regard to Army Painter brushes.
A good drybrush needs to have bristles that are durable and stiff enough to provide control over paint application. When drybrushing, especially for zenithal highlights, it is important to have a brush that can withstand rough use.
The Army Painter Drybrush Set, specifically their Masterclass Drybrushes, has been a reliable option for many years due to its stiffer synthetic bristles. In comparison, the Notts Hobbies drybrushes have slightly longer bristles compared to the Army Painter brushes and are also a bit softer.
These differences make the Notts Hobbies brushes better for creating smoother gradients—make sure the bristles are close to dry—whereas the stiffer Army Painter brushes are more suited for rougher, more aggressive applications.
The Army Painter and Notts Hobbies brushes have round topped shapes that gives you the ability to evenly apply pigment no matter what angle or stroke length you apply. You have more control here with round/dome shaped dry brushes than compared with the filet/flat shaped Citadel Games Workshop dry brushes.
Brush Size
Here’s a breakdown of the different brush sizes available from Notts Hobbies, Army Painter, and Citadel (only the medium size which I own).
| Brand | Brush Type | Bristle Length | Tuft Diameter/Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notts Hobbies Brushes | Large | Approximately 3.0 cm (1.18 in) | Approximately 14 mm (0.55 in) |
| Medium | Approximately 2.5 cm (0.98 in) | Approximately 10 mm (0.39 in) | |
| Small | Approximately 2.0 cm (0.79 in) | Approximately 8 mm (0.31 in) | |
| Army Painter Masterclass Brushes | Large | Approximately 3.5 cm (1.38 in) | Approximately 15 mm (0.59 in) |
| Medium | Approximately 2.8 cm (1.10 in) | Approximately 12 mm (0.47 in) | |
| Small | Approximately 2.2 cm (0.87 in) | Approximately 7 mm (0.28 in) | |
| Citadel Medium Drybrush | Medium | Approximately 2.5 cm (0.98 in) | Width of Tuft: 1 cm (0.39 in) |
Ergonomics
The longer, round handle design of Notts Hobbies dry brushes provides comfort for long sessions, and easier management of longer, broader brush strokes than my experience with the shorter handles of Army Painter dry brushes.
The shorter handles of the Army Painter dry brushes do make them easier to manage in tight spaces and are more compact for storage or travel. In general, both the Notts’ drybrushes and AP dry brushes have excellent handling and are comfortable to use.
Citadel dry brushes, and the round handle does lend itself well when you need to twist/turn the flat-fillet shaped drybrush bristles to angle your pigment application. Though in general, I’m quite pleased with the Notts Hobbies design.
Price and Value
At approximately $47, the Notts Hobbies set includes useful extras like a texture palette and dampening sponge, offering great value for the price.
Army Painter Masterclass Drybrushes are more affordable just as a 3-brush set and a solid choice for those on a budget, but it lacks the additional tools that make the drybrushing process easier.
Citadel drybrushes are premium-priced, with no included extras, which limits their value compared to Notts Hobbies. Also, as you’ve noticed, I only use the medium sized Citadel Drybrush—it handles most tasks I need it for.
If you’re a beginner, having these extra brushes in the Notts Hobbies set can teach you a lot about how different sized and shaped brushes work. You can also rotate your brushes within a painting session, allowing a recently cleaned brush time to dry completely while continuing to paint using another brush in the set.
RELATED: THE BEST “WORKHORSE” BRUSH FOR PAINTING MINIATURES OR MODELS
My Verdict: Is the Notts Hobbies Drybrush Set Worth It?
The Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set is a great value for its quality brushes and practical extras. While seasoned painters may already own similar tools, the convenience and thoughtful design make this set worthwhile for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.
Additionally, the Notts Hobbies Complete Weathering Set is an excellent companion for adding realistic weathering effects. The sponge holder with its unique grabber arms allows for precise application of color, perfect for simulating dirt, moss, or general wear on your models. Together, these sets make the entire process of enhancing miniatures both effective and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
The Notts Hobbies Complete Drybrushing Set makes drybrushing accessible and fun. It combines quality brushes, practical tools, and a couple of neat extras that make it worth the price tag. If you’re looking for a convenient, well-rounded set to enhance your miniature painting, this might be the one for you.
Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just getting started, having the right tools makes all the difference. I hope this review helps you decide if the Notts Hobbies Drybrushing Set fits your needs.
Have you tried this set, or do you have your own favorite drybrushing tools? Got any tips to share? Leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
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