What are the best drybrushes for Warhammer miniature painting?

First off, what is drybrushing in miniature painting? 

Drybrushing is an amazing miniature painting technique that both new and experienced miniature painters can leverage when painting miniatures from games like Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, Star Wars Legion, Dungeons and Dragons, Trench Crusade, and many other tabletop games. 

It is a miniature painting technique where you load a small amount of paint onto a dry brush, wipe most of the paint off, and then gently drag it across raised surfaces. This highlights edges and textures quickly, creating the illusion of depth and wear.  You can use this for both traditional water-based acrylic paints and metallic paints (We showcase these techniques on our Youtube shorts HERE).

It’s also a key element of the popular Slapchop painting method—a fast beginner friendly way to paint miniatures.  It is especially good to leverage when attempting to get a nice tabletop standard for those in a time crunch.  (We also have a YouTube Short Guide on this HERE)

Round Dome vs. Angled Drybrushes – What’s the Difference?

When choosing a drybrush, one of the biggest differences you'll notice is the shape of the bristles—specifically, round dome-shaped vs. flat-cut angled brushes.

Round dome drybrushes, like the Army Painter Masterclass Drybrushes or Artis Opus Series D  have bristles that are packed tightly and shaped into a smooth dome. This makes them excellent for controlled, circular motions and stippling techniques, which are perfect for textured surfaces, OSL effects, or organic highlights like fur, skin, or verdigris. 

Flat-cut Angled drybrushes, such as the Army Painter Wargamer Drybrushes or Monumnet Hobbies DA1 and DA2, feature a flat top with squared-off bristles.  They are generally made with synthetic hair bristles.  These are great for smaller hard-to-reach areas and catching the edges, especially on surfaces like armor panels, trim, ruins, or terrain. They are excellent for precision but won't cover as much area as quickly as a round dome drybrush.

Which brush shape should you use?

It depends on what you're painting. For larger flat, round, or textured areas or more nuanced effects, dome brushes will cover larger areas and provide better blendability. For precision and small details—especially in trim or edges—a flat brush gets the job done fast.

Pro Tip: Many painters keep both on hand and switch depending on the task.

So, how do you choose the best drybrush for your miniature painting projects?

Now, buying the most expensive dry brushes may not be the right situation.  It's about what fits your workflow, current skillset, budget, and painting goals. At Brush and Banner, we evaluate every tool based on three key factors:

Accessibility – How easy is it to buy and how quickly can you obtain a set based on location?
Price – How much does the drybrush set cost? We will give USD pricing at the time of this article.
Features – Shape (dome vs angled), bristle type (natural hair vs synthetic), bristle density (dictates finish and performance), and finally durability.

Here’s how our TOP 4 DRY BRUSH BRANDS that we have used personally stack up:

Army Painter Masterclass Drybrush Set

• Accessibility: Widely available online and in local game stores.

• Price: ~$15–$20 usd for a 3-brush set

• Features:
  • Includes round and flat brush shapes
  • Medium-density synthetic bristles
  • Good entry-level control, moderate durability
  • Works well for small-to-medium miniatures and terrain

• Should you buy? These are available in most hobby stores worldwide and are an excellent choice to start with when price and accessibility are factors.  These are the exact brushes I started out with when I first started drybrushing.

• BUY ARMY PAINTER DRYBRUSHES (AMAZON)

Artis Opus Series D Drybrushes

• Accessibility: Available through Artis Opus directly or select specialty retailers.

• Price: $125+ USD - 5 Brush Set (5 Round dome)

• Features:
  • Hand-made domed natural bristles
  • High bristle density
  • High durability with proper care
  • Up to 10 different brush sizes are available, allowing painters to tackle projects both large and small.  

• Should you buy? These are the Rolls-Royce of drybrushes, both incredibly well made, durable, and give painters excellent control.  However, if you are just starting out, we would recommend you first get comfortable with a more affordable set, and as you become a more confident and proficient painter, then consider picking up a set of these later to push your potential. 

• BUY ARTIS OPUS SERIES-D DRYBRUSHES

Monument Hobbies Pro Drybrushes

• Accessibility: Widely available online and in many local game stores. 

• Price: $48 USD - 5 Brush Set (3 round dome and 2 flat for precision)

• Features:
  • Synthetic domed bristles with a firm backbone
  • Balanced density for terrain and small details
  • Excellent durability and pigment control
  • Ergonomic handles with a solid feel

• Should you buy? This is another excellent set for painters who want both round-dome and angled brushes that have great performance without the premium price tag—reliable and versatile.

• BUY MONUMENT HOBBIES DRYBRUSHES (AMAZON)

Golden Maple Drybrushes

• Accessibility: Available on Amazon or directly from the store website.

• Price: $28 USD - for the 6 brush set (6 Round dome)

• Features:
  • Round dome with slightly dense bristles
  • Easy maintenance when cleaning.
  • The set has six brush sizes to handle most projects. 

• Best for: Excellent starter set for hobbyists just starting out without breaking the bank.  The six (6) brush set gives a wide range of sizes for painters to work with. 

• BUY GOLDEN MAPLE DRYBRUSHES (AMAZON)
• BUY GOLDEN MAPLE DRYBRUSHES (MAIN SITE)

FAQ: Drybrushing Miniatures

Q: How do I clean my drybrush for my miniatures? 

We generally recommend one of two brush soap brands: Monument Hobbies Jentastic's Drunken Brush Goop and The Master's Brush Cleaner and Preserver.  They are excellent products, and we consistently use both. 

BUY JENTASTIC'S DRUNKEN BRUSH GOOP

BUY MASTER'S BRUSH CLEANER AND PRESERVER

Q: Can beginners use drybrushing for Warhammer and other tabletop miniatures? 

Absolutely! Drybrushing is one of the easiest ways to achieve great results as a beginner.

Q: What is the best paint for drybrushing miniatures? 

There are a variety of different paints to choose from (The Army Painter. Citadel, AK, Vallejo). You want to pick a paint with good coverage.  NO speed paints or contrast paints.