Is December Rewards 2022 (Mastering Values Tutorial) worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
Quick answer
| Best for | Digital artists stuck in the “flat color” trap who want a structured path to mastering values, plus a library of high-quality brushes and process breakdowns. |
| Skip if | You are a complete beginner who hasn’t yet learned basic composition, or if you are looking for a step-by-step “how to draw hands” tutorial rather than a lighting and shading deep-dive. |
| Price | $7 |
| Format | 1 video tutorial, 3 process videos, PS/Procreate brushes, 4K wallpaper, and layered PSD/PNG assets. |
| One-line take | A dense, $7 bundle that trades generic advice for specific value studies, custom brushes, and full-length process insights from samdoesarts. |
What you’re actually buying
If you’ve ever stared at a finished piece and wondered how the artist made the shadows feel heavy and the highlights pop, you’re missing the value map. Most digital artists get stuck in a loop of adding color until the image looks muddy, not because they lack talent, but because they lack a structured method for handling light and dark. This $7 pack from samdoesarts addresses that exact bottleneck. It isn’t just a brush pack; it’s a curriculum in disguise. The centerpiece is the Learning + Mastering Values Tutorial, a dedicated video that breaks down the mechanics of value contrast. For the price of a coffee, you get a full-length lesson on how to read and create value structures, which is the single most important skill for making 2D art feel three-dimensional.
But the tutorial is just the engine; the rest of the bundle is the fuel. You’re also getting three full-length process videos. These aren’t 30-second time-lapses; they are extended sessions where you can watch the decision-making process in real-time. Seeing why a brush stroke was placed there, or why a specific value was chosen, is often more valuable than the final image itself. This is where the updated PS Brushes from August 2022 and Sam’s brushes for Procreate come into play. These aren’t generic stock brushes; they are the specific tools used in the tutorials. Having the exact brushes the artist uses removes the friction of trying to replicate a style with a default round brush. It’s a rare setup where the tooling and the technique are packaged together. (December Rewards 2022)
The bundle also includes PNGs and PSDs from November, which serve as a reference library. If you’re working on a piece and get stuck on a specific lighting effect, you can open the layered PSDs and see exactly how the values are stacked. This is a “steal the homework” resource. You can study the layer order, the opacity settings, and the blending modes to understand the technical construction of the art. Finally, there’s a 4K desktop wallpaper, a small but nice touch that keeps the aesthetic in your peripheral vision while you work. For $7, you are getting a complete ecosystem: the theory (values tutorial), the practice (process videos), the tools (brushes), and the reference (PSDs). It’s a high-density offer that respects your time and your wallet. (December Rewards 2022)
Why it’s on our radar
This pack stands out because it solves a specific, high-friction problem: the gap between “I can draw shapes” and “I can render form.” Many digital art resources are either too broad (general “get better at art” advice) or too niche (a single brush pack with no context). This bundle sits in the sweet spot of applied technique. The inclusion of a dedicated Mastering Values Tutorial signals that the seller understands that values are the foundation of digital painting. Without strong values, color is just decoration. By pairing that core lesson with the Procreate and Photoshop brushes used to create the work, it creates a closed loop of learning. You learn the concept, then you practice with the same tools. (December Rewards 2022)
The three full-length process videos add another layer of value that is rarely found in low-price digital goods. Most artists sell the final result; few sell the journey. These videos allow you to see the mistakes, the iterations, and the problem-solving. It’s a masterclass in workflow, not just a masterclass in style. The 4K desktop wallpaper is a minor item, but it speaks to the seller’s attention to detail and the overall polish of the package. For $7, the value proposition is strong: you’re not just buying files; you’re buying a structured learning path with the tools to execute it. It’s a low-risk, high-reward entry point for anyone looking to level up their digital painting skills. (December Rewards 2022)
What actually matters
Before you hit the buy button, consider your current workflow. If you are primarily a Procreate user, the inclusion of Sam’s brushes for Procreate is a major plus. Many artists struggle to translate Photoshop techniques to Procreate because the brush engines are different. Having a dedicated set of brushes for Procreate ensures you can apply the value techniques directly in your primary app. If you are a Photoshop user, the updated PS Brushes provide the same benefit. The key is to check that the brush formats are compatible with your version of the software, as brush engines can sometimes be finicky. (December Rewards 2022)
Second, look at the PSD and PNG files. These are not just for reference; they are for deconstruction. Open a PSD, look at the layer structure, and see how the artist built the values. Is it a single layer with blending modes? Are there multiple layers for shadows, midtones, and highlights? Understanding this structure will teach you more about value management than any written guide could. If you are looking for a “magic button” that fixes your art, this won’t do it. But if you are looking for a structured tutorial and a toolkit to help you understand and execute values, this is a solid choice. The process videos are the real value here; they show the “how” and “why” that static images can’t convey. (December Rewards 2022)
Mid-check
FAQ
Is this pack suitable for complete beginners? It’s best for artists who have some basic drawing skills but are struggling with lighting and shading. If you can draw simple shapes and understand basic color theory, you’ll get the most out of the Mastering Values Tutorial. If you’re just starting out, you might want to focus on fundamentals first, but the process videos are still a great way to see how a professional works. (December Rewards 2022)
Do the brushes work with both Photoshop and Procreate? Yes, the pack includes updated PS Brushes for Photoshop and Sam’s brushes for Procreate. This is a rare setup that covers both major digital painting platforms, so you can use the same techniques regardless of your preferred software. Just make sure you’re using a recent version of the software to ensure compatibility with the brush formats. (December Rewards 2022)
What’s the difference between the PNGs and PSDs? The PSDs are layered files that you can open in Photoshop to see the individual layers, blending modes, and opacity settings. This is perfect for studying how the artist constructed the values. The PNGs are flattened images, useful for quick reference or as a base for your own work. Having both gives you the flexibility to study the structure or just use the final image as a visual guide. (December Rewards 2022)
Bottom line
For $7, this is a no-brainer for any digital artist looking to improve their value skills. The combination of a dedicated values tutorial, full-length process videos, and platform-specific brushes creates a complete learning package. It’s not just a brush pack; it’s a mini-course with the tools to practice. If you’re stuck in a creative rut or struggling to make your art look three-dimensional, this is a low-risk way to get some expert guidance. The PSD files alone are worth the price if you’re looking to deconstruct a professional workflow. Grab the December Rewards 2022 pack and start experimenting with the value techniques. Your art will thank you.