Is eXpressure 2 - Premium Brushes for Clip Studio Paint worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
Quick answer
| Best for | Clip Studio Paint users with a tilt-capable tablet who want a mature, “DLC” tier of brushes that feel like they were built for serious sketching and final art. |
| Skip if | You use Procreate, Photoshop, or a tablet that lacks tilt/angle support. This set is strictly for CSP and relies on hardware tilt. |
| Price | $10 |
| Format | Digital brush set (Base 2.0.2 + DLCs 2.1–2.4) for Clip Studio Paint |
| One-line take | A rare $10 entry point into a pro-grade brush library that has been iterated through multiple paid updates. |
What you’re actually buying
Most brush packs at this price point feel like they were thrown together in a weekend. eXpressure 2 is different because it’s not just a new set; it’s the culmination of a long-running project. You are buying the complete base set (version 2.0.2) plus four distinct DLC expansions (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4). That means you aren’t just getting a handful of tips; you’re getting a layered ecosystem of brush behaviors, textures, and assets that the artist, Živko Kondić (zhillustrator), has refined over time.
The value here comes from the specificity of the engineering. These aren’t generic “smudge” or “pencil” presets. They are custom behaviors built on original assets and textures, designed to handle the nuances of digital painting. Because the artist uses these for their own personal artwork and sketching, the presets are tuned for real-world workflow rather than just looking good in a demo video. At $10, you are getting a “premium” tier of tools that usually costs significantly more when sold as individual DLCs, but here they are bundled into a single, comprehensive package. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
The set is built to be a continuation of the original eXpressure line, which means it benefits from years of testing and feedback. The brushes are designed to work in concert with each other, allowing you to move seamlessly from rough sketching to detailed rendering without constantly swapping out incompatible tools. It’s a complete toolkit for a specific job: high-quality digital illustration in Clip Studio Paint. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Why it’s on our radar
This is on our radar because it solves a specific pain point for CSP users: the lack of a cohesive, high-end brush set that doesn’t require a subscription or a massive price tag. The fact that it includes four DLCs means the library is deep enough to cover a wide range of techniques, from loose gestural lines to textured shading. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
The “DLC” structure is interesting because it shows the product has a history. It wasn’t just released and forgotten; it’s been updated and expanded, suggesting the artist is committed to maintaining and improving the tool. For a $10 price point, getting a set that has evolved through multiple versions is a strong value proposition. It’s not a one-and-done purchase; it’s a living tool that has been battle-tested in the artist’s own workflow. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
What actually matters
Before you buy, the most critical check is your hardware. This set requires tilt/angle functionality. If you are using a tablet that only supports pressure sensitivity but not tilt, these brushes will not work as intended. The artist explicitly notes that the presets largely depend on tilt to function correctly. If you are on a device like an iPad or a basic pen tablet without tilt, you should look for the “NT” (No Tilt) or “M” (Mobile) versions mentioned in the listing, which are separate products. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Second, confirm your software version. This is strictly for Clip Studio Paint by Celsys. It will not work in Photoshop, Procreate, or Krita. If you are a multi-app artist, this is a CSP-only solution. The artist has stated they do not have versions for other apps, so if your workflow is split across platforms, this won’t cover your bases. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Finally, check your device performance. The brushes were developed on a desktop PC with a strong CPU. While they should run smoothly on most modern systems, if you are using an older or weaker device, you might experience lag. The listing suggests downloading the free version first to test compatibility and performance on your specific setup. This is a smart move given the complexity of the brush behaviors. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Mid-check
If you have a tilt-capable tablet and you’re already in Clip Studio Paint, this is a low-risk, high-value addition to your toolkit. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
FAQ
Does eXpressure 2 work with Procreate or Photoshop? No. eXpressure 2 is exclusively compatible with Clip Studio Paint. The artist does not offer versions for other applications, so if your primary software is Procreate or Photoshop, this set will not be useful to you.
I don’t have a tilt-capable tablet. Can I still use it? Not with this specific set. The brushes rely heavily on tilt/angle data to function correctly. If you only have pressure sensitivity, you should look for the “NT” (No Tilt) or “M” (Mobile) adaptations, which are separate products available from the same seller. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Is this a one-time purchase or a subscription? It is a one-time purchase for $10. You get the base set plus four DLCs (2.1–2.4) in a single package. There are no recurring fees for this specific bundle. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Will it run smoothly on my laptop? It should, provided you have a reasonably modern CPU. The artist developed these on a desktop with a strong processor, so if your laptop is older or has limited resources, you might experience some lag. Testing with the free version is recommended to ensure your hardware can handle the brush behaviors. (eXpressure 2 - Premium)
Bottom line
If you are a Clip Studio Paint artist with a tilt-capable tablet, eXpressure 2 is a compelling $10 investment. You’re not just buying brushes; you’re buying a refined, multi-DLC library that has been iterated on over time and used in professional workflows. It’s a specific tool for a specific job, but if that job is digital illustration in CSP, it’s a strong addition to your kit.