How can one compare dry media to liquid media?

Dry media such as charcoal, pastel, and dry pigment can be
applied to paper in a way that can create interesting expressive effects, preserving
little specks of paper through the media.  This has much potential for creating
interesting line quality in a piece.  Most dry media is used by touching the material
directly to the picture surface.  It can also be applied and then blended to create
areas of soft coverage over a paper surface, or to create blending effects from one
value to another or one color to another.  Most dry media must be sealed onto the
drawing surface with a spray varnish called spray fixative to keep if from
smearing.

Liquid media such as ink, or paint must be
applied with an implement of some kind like a brush, pen, or pallet knife which can help
control the media and create varied effects.  Liquid media generally allows for more
coverage when creating solid shapes and lines in a piece.  An artist also has the
capability to mix wet media before it is applied to the picture surface to create
precise color effects.  Most types of paint can be dry brushed onto a surface to achieve
an expressive line quality.

Each type of liquid media has
specific capabilities that an artist may choose to utilize in a painting or drawing. 
For example, oil paint can take many days to dry on the canvas, giving the artist time
to work.  Watercolor paint can be blended or mixed with salt or isopropyl alcohol to
achieve different visual effects.