What’s up folks!
You have probably come across a comment that sounds like this:
“What brush are you using?”, on your favorite artist’s social media page.
Because I have. So many times.
And yes, I have wondered myself at times, but never really asked. Maybe once or twice, but that was probably when they used a very textured brush that I got interested in.
When I started with digital art and watching others, I always thought I needed the same brush the artist was using to make the same kind of art.
In a way, yes.
But at the same time, no.
You have no idea how many brush packs I have bought for different software during my years. And I keep looking at them, wanting to buy more, even if I have plenty I never used…
I even recently got a new pack. It was actually free, but still.
Custom brushes are pretty nice compared to the default ones you get with the software. Sure, some defaults in some programs are actually pretty nice. But something in me just wants these packs.
But do I need them?
No.
My favorite default brushes come in Procreate and Clip Studio Paint. Rebelle 7 does have some nice ones too. But Affinity? Hell no. I hate them. So custom brushes are needed. At least for me.
And I have bought a few over the years. Some I use more than others. But even if I do enjoy some of the default brushes in other programs, I still want brush packs.
Why?
Because the artists I follow use them and make beautiful art. My brain is like wired to, “We need them or else.” And I hate it.
Sure, this problem is mostly in digital art. Sometimes I want the same brush in traditional too, but not as much actually. I have found some good ones on my own.
But do you actually need custom brushes like your favorite artist?
Short answer: no.
Long answer: more complex.
There are artists out there who only use the default brushes, like the round brush, and make beautiful art.
I have tried to use those more and more nowadays myself. But sometimes I just want that texture.
Then you have the lasso tool, which I have seen a few artists use. I like the lasso tool myself actually. I like using it more when I want shadow and light. For some reason, it becomes better with it than actual brush strokes.
I do like having some kind of texture brush. I don’t know why. I just like it. Maybe a little traditional feel? Who knows.
But to be honest with you all, I don’t use many brushes myself. If I buy a pack, I maybe use five out of the fifty you get.
And sometimes I have bought packs I don’t like, or I’m unable to understand how to use them. One of those packs is by Frankentoon Studio for Affinity. Someday I will figure it out.
I have bought a few packs over the years. MaxPacks and Frankentoon Studio are my go-to. MaxPacks is only for Procreate and I own the Comic and Watercolor packs. Frankentoon has packs for Affinity and Procreate, but I only bought packs for Affinity. Even assets ones.
I have gotten a few packs here and there because of courses and so on. A favorite is by Philip Sue for landscape painting. And I love using them for just that.
I mentioned earlier I got a new pack recently. That one is from Aaron Blaise, and as of this writing I have not tested it yet. But I have been using his Pastel C brush, I think it’s called and I like it.
What about the lasso tool?
Well, I have started to use it more and more in my digital painting. Because I can be more loose with it, for some reason. Just place random things in random places and it still looks good.
I also use the lasso tool for shadows and other rendering, and then add the area with an actual brush of some sort. I like that technique too.
Most brush packs come with plenty of different brushes. And no, I don’t use them all, as mentioned before. It’s like up to five maybe. But I have them. They are there. I can use them whenever.
So yeah, I kind of like custom brushes more over default.
But finding that magic brush that does it all?
No. That is not there.
You find your favorite brushes and you stick with them over time until you find something new. Pretty much.
And still, I’m hunting for that magic brush. A very evil mindset.
To be honest, I don’t understand why I got here in the first place. Why not just use that round brush and be done with it, right?
Lately, if you have been around, you have probably seen me do more traditional art over digital. And that is because of this thinking.
Thinking I need more brush packs in my arsenal. That I need to find that magic brush that does it all.
This mindset only hurt my wallet. Luckily, I have not bought a set as of this writing. And I hope I will just stick with those I have now. Try to experiment more. To be more free, I guess.
But having ADHD and ASD does bring setbacks at times. And this mindset does stop me from digital art. So does the mindset that I need to have a similar style both traditional and digital.
Super annoying.
And I’m working on all this.
Conclusion.
Is there a magic brush?
No.
Do you need custom brushes to make beautiful art just because your favorite artist uses them?
No.
Sure, you don’t know what to use until you try it. But still.
Don’t be like me.
Stay free, okay?
Do you have a favorite brush pack?
Or more a favorite brush you use?
What program?
Okay. Bye.
