Mastering Brushes in Clip Studio Paint

As artists, we've all been asked the question "what brush do you use?" at some point. While some artists believe that the brush used doesn't matter, it's essential for comfort and creative expression. The goal is to create a brush that feels like an extension of the artist's mind and arm. In this post, we'll explore the importance of brushes, Clip Studio Paint's default brushes, and how to modify and create custom brushes to fit individual artistic needs.

The Importance of Brushes

The question of "what brush do you use?" is a common one among artists. Some artists believe that the brush used doesn't matter, but it's essential for comfort and creative expression. The goal is to create a brush that feels like an extension of the artist's mind and arm.

Clip Studio Paint's Default Brushes

Clip Studio Paint offers various professional brushes separated by categories, including Pencil, Pen, Brushes, Watercolors, Oil Paint, Indian Ink, Air Brushes, and Decorations. Each category has multiple subtools to choose from. It's recommended to start with a brush you already like and modify it to create a custom brush that suits your style.

Modifying the Default G-Pen

Let's start with the default G-pen and modify it to create a custom brush. Right-clicking on a tool or subtool opens the modifier key settings, where you can set shortcuts for each tool or subtool. For example, you can set Alt for the eyedropper tool and Control + Alt to change brush size. It's recommended to set brush size change in one hand for ease of use.

Editing Our Own Brush

There are two useful panels for editing brushes: Tool Properties and Brush Size. The Tool Properties panel allows you to change the brush size, set opacity and control it with number keys, and adjust anti-aliasing. The Brush Size panel allows you to quickly adjust the brush size.

Creating a New Brush

To create a new brush, duplicate the default G-pen by right-clicking and selecting "Duplicate Subtool". Rename the new brush (e.g., "Mercurial G-Pen") and create a new subtool category by dragging the new brush. You can then drag the new brush into the main toolbar to make it a tool of its own.

Importing Default Brushes

If a default brush is modified or deleted, it can be restored by right-clicking and selecting "Add from Default". All default tools and subtools can be accessed here.

Anti-Aliasing

Anti-aliasing makes surrounding jaggies less noticeable. It's useful for drawing guidelines for shadows or highlights in animation. For example, drawing a line with and without anti-aliasing shows a significant difference.

Saving Brush Options

Rename the brush by right-clicking and going to subtool settings. Save brush options by clicking the wrench icon and selecting "Save all settings as default". Click "Okay" to confirm the changes.

Subtool Detail Window

• Hover over options to see descriptions and illustrations
• Right-click on sliders to show stepped indicators
• Turn on only frequently used properties to avoid clutter
• Use "Reset all settings to default" to undo changes

Creating a Soft Edge Brush

• Duplicate the brush
• Switch hardness to low in Brush Tip Options
• Move anti-aliasing to strong
• Unlink brush size from pen pressure
• Apply pen pressure to control opacity
• Change brush shape to airbrush for a softer edge

Creating a Pencil Brush

• Create a custom texture for the brush tip
• Draw a pattern resembling the grain of charcoal on paper
• Convert the layer to grayscale and register the material image
• Use the custom material in the Brush Tip Options
• Adjust pen pressure settings to control opacity
• Fine-tune the brush size dynamics and curve to achieve a pencil-like feel

Tips and Tricks

• Use the "Show Indicator" feature to toggle between stepped indicators and sliders
• Turn on only frequently used properties to avoid clutter
• Use "Reset all settings to default" to undo changes
• Experiment with different brush shapes and textures to achieve unique effects

Creating a Custom Pencil Brush

To create a pencil-like experience, we want the brush tip to stay the same size for a range of pressures. We want the brush to respond to pressure changes, but not too drastically. We want the opacity to stay fairly low always, with a minimum value of 10%. We can set minimum values for pressure and opacity to achieve the desired effect.

Velocity Factor

We can add velocity as a factor to affect line thickness. For example, set a minimum value of 80 for pen pressure, and a lower minimum value (e.g. 40) when moving fast. This creates a cool effect where lines are thinner in the middle and thicker at the beginning and end.

Direction Changes

When moving fast, lines get thinner, but when changing direction, lines get thicker. This creates a subtle effect that mimics real pencil drawing.

Properties to Play With

• Brush size and opacity curves
• Velocity factor
• Minimum values for pressure and opacity
• Experiment with these properties to find what works best for you

Using the Mercurial Pencil

Here's an example of using the custom pencil brush to create studies of sculptures by old masters. The goal is to create a pencil-like experience that feels comfortable and natural.

Creating a Chain Pattern Brush

• Draw a single link of a chain, then duplicate and flip it to create a repeating pattern
• Use the transform options to move and rotate the links
• Merge the layers and convert to a gray expression color
• Register the material image and use as a brush tip

Oil Pastel Brush

Introducing the Oil Pastel brush, a favorite brush that combines pastel and oil brush qualities. It can be used to create unique and interesting effects. Here's an example of mixing blue and red to create a purple color.

Ink Properties

• Opacity, blending modes, and color mixing options
• Blending modes are grayed out when color mixing is enabled
• Color mixing options allow for mixing of colors, with amount of paint and density of paint affecting the result

Color Mixing Options

• Amount of paint: how much pigment is applied when painting
• Density of paint: the opacity that must be defeated before colors start blending
• Example of mixing blue and red to create a purple color

Tips and Tricks

• Can always make the brush smaller to create more defined lines
• Use the brush in different ways to achieve desired effects

Blending Modes in Clip Studio

Similar to layer blending modes, but not exactly the same. Examples include:

• Multiply: darkens the sum of the colors
• Normal: makes colors more saturated, but not darker
• Density: adds colors, never replacing the last one (great for watercolor brushes)

Textures in Clip Studio

Apply textures to brushstrokes, not brush tips. This emulates the paper underneath, giving a traditional feeling.

Creating Custom Brushes in Clip Studio

Start from a brush you like, duplicate it, and modify it to your heart's content. Clip Studio allows combining two different brush parameters, giving infinite options.

Importing Brushes in Clip Studio

Can import brushes from Clip Studio or Photoshop (.ABR or .SUT files). Simply drag and drop the file into Clip Studio. Can also search for free brushes on the Clip Studio launcher.

Colorizing Black and White Sketches in Clip Studio

• Start with a base color (e.g. blue) using the 'Color' blending mode
• Add contrast and create a natural feeling of skin
• Duplicate the sketch to push values and create darker darks and brighter highlights
• Use a soft edge brush and warm colors (e.g. orange, reddish) to add hue little by little
• Experiment with different blending modes (e.g. multiply, vivid light, overlay) and colors to achieve a natural look

Tips and Reminders

• Use the subtool detail window to see descriptions of each option when you hover over them
• Make your own brushes to get the desired effect
• Join the Discord Server for free brushes and resources
• All brushes created in the tutorial are available for free on the Discord Server