Master These 4 Art Brushes and you will Master Them All

The most common question I get (and a lot of artists get) is "what brush are you using?"
It's a good question but a lot of time artists are frustrated by this question. And there are some good reasons why. Many brushes act the same way with some minor differences.

[alias_juno]

I literally just found this channel yesterday and was so sad to see you'd stopped posting here, I must have manifested your return

[Coco-Loco]

Yes!! I noticed this when I saw that some of the best artist's time-lapse only ever used simple brushes like a round brush and an air brush and I was confused as to why their work had so much more charm. I later figured out its:
1. Having so much skill with those couple of brushes. Knowing how to make the most out of them, use them everywhere and make them look good.
2. Knowing their software well. A lot of cool little things they did was simply because they had a good idea of how their software works! Like blending modes, layer masks, etc. All of these are little tips they've either naturally discovered over time or found out from someone else but no one really talks about them and hence it took me over 8 months of drawing to realize that layer masks can make my life so much easier.
3. Tiny little bits of tricks they've learned over the year. They're skillful with their tools and have some things only they know that they've learned over the years of messing around with their tools. Those tiny little things can go a long way and also adds so much charm to your art. Maybe it's how you pick colors, maybe it's a neat little way you've learnt to add extra light (like how Neytirix just maker their art go 10× better by simply adding finishing golden lights), etc.

Overall, I think it's just messing around and developing skills!

[onstr]

Coming from physical media, brushes are what kept me out for so long. I could never find a brush that felt right. Recently I've reached a point where I am ready to make the leap and learning how to MAKE the brush I wanted is what has changed everything. Even in phjysical media, everybody has different pen/pencil preferences and the more you do, the more that preference is solidified. I'm blown away by how close to physical pens I can get with a simple ipad.

[perfectlyrandomstuff]

I'm so glad there's a new video on this channel! Thanks Brad.

[FourBlackRabbits]

Every time you upload a video my drawings improve exponentially. You can explain things so perfectly succinct that I get that "how did I not realize this, it's so obvious!" feeling each time

[asimian]

For painting, you can simplify even further: Lasso Tool + Soft Brush/Airbrush

With the Lasso Tool to create selections you can easily do hard edges or combination hard and soft edges or create gradients or simulate textures. Now, some people more used to trad tools may not like this combination because it breaks their painting process and spontaneity, but for everyone else more into illustration then this combo is killer. Other tools I use are the hard opacity brush, bucket tool for color flats, and magic wand to make quick selections using color flats. Completely agree with Brad that mastering the brushes mentioned are all you need and will allow you to use variants and special brushes. Sometimes nothing beats a specialty brush, but you can do 100% of your painting with just the aforementioned brushes. Next steps are understanding color theory and how light/color affect your subject and environment.

[marinabarbosa]

Just saw the beginning and this already deserves the thumbs up! This is pure gold!!!

[akhan]

This is one of the most valuable channels on YouTube! Thank you for your time!

[mimiky_y]

Sir you're back! I've been practicing your tutorials. So far, I'm still not that good at perspective but I'm still working hard on it. I did learned how to shade well with pencils lately. Tysm

[Amariiiiie]

That part about it taking his whole life to draw like a child but mastering more complex art forms in a short amount of time— I felt that. Lol I talk about that all the time as I endeavor to simplify my art style for illustrating children’s books. I can’t believe how complicated something so simple can be for me.

[LadyBlack]

Oo as a self-taught artist since childhood, this just made digital art so much simpler to me. Thank you for explaining the basics - I'm fairly confident in my abilities, but get overwhelmed by photoshop HUGE possibilities! Your breakdown in this video is super useful 👌

[ronwevsleys]

When the world needed him the most, HE RETURNED

[slastenushkaslast]

This is a brilliant video. Thank you SOOO SOOO MUCH for this. I am always so overwhelmed by all these brushes and choices and value packs... I have no idea what to use and how... And you explaining it so easy and accessible. Thank you

[mattigue]

Ur vids are soo helpfull much better than those 3min Drawing tutorials where someone just draws a head and expects you to follow all the steps. Please upload more vids ur the best.👍👍👍👍

[u.k.]

I really enjoyed seeing you again... well... in a way 😅
Thank you so much for the new video!
Greetings from Germany🙋‍♀️

[MisaMinako]

Thank you for uploading, I am a complete beginner and love how you set up your videos!

[masontheartist]

Fantastic video. I feel like you really hit on what new painters need in this video!

[jbiliHacker]

thanks! very helpful! i was always skeptical about the brushes as i use them randomly!

[KikiAelita]

Holy moly thank you. This was what I was looking for today. It's so hard for me to figure out what different brushes achieve and this at least gives me a great foundation.

[Scarfacefan]

When the world needed him he came back he got me into drawing after I quit :)