Which painting technique uses a brush loaded with very little paint to produce a scratchy texture with visible brushstrokes?

• A. Dry brush
• B. Sgraffito
• C. Alla prima
• D. Trompe l'oeil

Answer: (A)

The technique being tested is using a brush loaded with very little paint to create a scratchy texture with visible brushstrokes. When the brush is almost dry, it leaves only wisps of color and broken marks rather than a smooth, even layer. This rough deposit catches on the surface texture and reveals the individual brushstrokes, giving a scratchy, textured look that suggests dryness, grit, or weathered surfaces. It’s a deliberate effect artists use to convey texture and atmosphere, such as fur, weathered wood, or windy skies, without filling in every detail.

This isn’t the method for scratching through a top layer to reveal underneath, which is what sgraffito does. It also isn’t about blending wet paint in one sitting to achieve smooth, seamless transitions, which is characteristic of alla prima. And it doesn’t aim to fool the eye with realistic illusion, as in trompe l’oeil. The distinctive rough, textural surface created by a nearly dry brush is what makes this technique stand out.