Paint Vallejo Ammo: DIO Drybrush - Light Sand (drybrush paint for dioramas and models)

VALLEJO Ammo DIO Drybrush - Light Sand is a matte, ready-to-use drybrush paint developed for diorama and scale-model finishing. Formulated to deliver quick, even highlights on textures and raised details, this Light Sand shade works well on terrain, buildings, vehicles and miniature scenery. The paint is designed for drybrushing techniques on plastic, resin and metal surfaces, providing a sandy tone that emphasizes edges, weathering and surface relief without leaving glossy residues.

Advantages

This drybrush paint is pre-thinned for immediate use, allowing rapid layering and controlled application with a drybrush technique. Its matte finish reduces reflections, helping painted highlights appear natural on miniature terrain and models. The Light Sand pigment offers good coverage for emphasizing texture while remaining subtle enough for blending with basecoats and weathering washes. The formulation adheres well to common modeling materials and dries quickly to minimize handling time.

Suitable for

• Drybrushing textures on diorama terrain and sand effects
• Highlighting edges, rivets and raised details on scale models
• Weathering and dust effects on buildings, vehicles and scenery
• Touch-ups and blending over acrylic basecoats on plastic, resin and metal

Key specifications

• Finish: matte
• Application: drybrush technique, ready-to-use (pre-thinned)
• Suitable surfaces: plastic, resin, metal
• Colour tone: light sandy beige for highlighting and dust effects
• Drying: quick-drying formulation for fast workflow

How to use

Dip a dedicated drybrush into the Light Sand paint, then remove most of the paint on a paper towel until the brush appears almost dry. Apply light, repeated strokes across raised textures and edges to build up highlights gradually. For broader areas, use short, controlled strokes to avoid excess buildup; for fine details use a smaller flat-tipped drybrush. Allow coats to dry between passes and, if necessary, soften transitions with thin glazes or selective sanding of excess paint once dry.

Usage recommendations

Use on fully cured basecoats and after applying any desired washes. Test on a scrap surface before working on final pieces. Clean brushes with water or appropriate acrylic cleaner after use and store the bottle tightly closed to preserve consistency.