Is March Rewards 2023 (Studying Expressions Tutorial!) worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
If you’ve ever stared at a blank canvas, trying to get a character’s face to actually mean something, you know the frustration of guessing at emotion. You can draw a mouth, but can you draw disappointment? Or the specific, quiet kind of joy that happens when someone finally gets the joke? That gap between technical skill and expressive intent is where most digital artists stall out, and it’s exactly the problem this $7 bundle is built to solve. (March Rewards 2023)
March Rewards 2023 from samdoesarts isn’t just a collection of assets; it’s a snapshot of a working artist’s toolkit, packaged for you to use immediately. For the price of a coffee, you get a dedicated tutorial on studying expressions and emotions, alongside the raw files—PNGs and PSDs—that let you see exactly how those looks were built. It’s a rare find for a low-cost digital good because it pairs the “how” (the process videos and tutorial) with the “what” (the brush lists and source files), giving you both the theory and the practical tools to fix your character work.
Quick answer
| Best for | Digital artists who are stuck on character acting and want to see a pro’s process, not just the final render. |
| Skip if | You only need static brush packs without educational context, or if you don’t use Procreate or Photoshop. |
| Price | $7 |
| Format | 1 tutorial, 3 process videos, brush lists (Procreate/PS), source files (PNG/PSD), 1 wallpaper |
| One-line take | A compact, high-value bundle that teaches emotional drawing while giving you the exact files to study. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, a $7 pack might look like a simple download, but the value here comes from the density of the content. You aren’t just buying a PDF; you’re getting a full month’s worth of creative output from samdoesarts, curated to teach you how to handle facial expressions. The centerpiece is the Studying Expressions and Emotions Tutorial, which is designed to help you move beyond generic smiles and frowns into more nuanced, believable character acting. This is the kind of specific, job-to-be-done content that is hard to find in free resources, which often lack the depth to explain why a certain eye shape conveys anxiety versus fear. (March Rewards 2023)
Beyond the tutorial, the bundle includes three full-length process videos. These are crucial because they show the decision-making process in real-time, allowing you to pause, rewind, and see how the artist layers in the emotions. You also get the 2023 Procreate brush list and updated PS Brushes, which means you can replicate the look with tools that are current and optimized for modern tablets. The inclusion of PNGs and PSDs from February adds another layer of value: you can open the source files, peel back the layers, and see the underpainting and line work that supports the final expression. It’s a complete mini-course wrapped in a one-time purchase, making March Rewards 2023 a surprisingly robust entry point for anyone looking to level up their character design.
Why it’s on our radar
This bundle stands out because it solves a very specific, high-friction problem in digital art: the difficulty of translating internal emotion into external visual cues. Many artists have the technical chops to draw a hand or a landscape, but character acting remains a mystery. By packaging a dedicated tutorial with the actual source files and process videos, samdoesarts offers a “show, don’t just tell” approach that is far more effective than a static guide. (March Rewards 2023)
The timing is also interesting. The inclusion of a 2023 brush list suggests these are updated, tested tools rather than outdated presets that might not work well with current software versions. For a $7 price point, the sheer volume of deliverables—videos, tutorials, files, and wallpapers—makes it a low-risk way to invest in your own skill development. It’s the kind of product that respects your time by giving you immediate, actionable material rather than vague theory. (March Rewards 2023)
What actually matters
Before you hit buy, keep these few points in mind to ensure this pack fits your workflow: (March Rewards 2023)
- Software Compatibility: The bundle includes specific brush lists for Procreate and Photoshop. If you work exclusively in Clip Studio Paint or Krita, you’ll still get the tutorial and source files, but you won’t have the optimized brush presets for those specific platforms. (March Rewards 2023)
- File Types: You’re getting both PNGs and PSDs. If you use a program that doesn’t support PSD layering, you’ll be limited to the flattened PNGs for reference, so check your software’s capabilities if layer access is critical to your learning process. (March Rewards 2023)
- Content Depth: The Studying Expressions and Emotions Tutorial is the core educational piece. If you’re already an advanced character designer looking for niche anatomical details, this might feel introductory. But if you’re struggling with “flat” faces, this is exactly the targeted practice you need. (March Rewards 2023)
- Process Videos: The three full-length videos are a significant part of the value. Ensure you have time to watch them, as the learning curve is steeper if you just download the files and ignore the video breakdown. (March Rewards 2023)
Mid-check
If you’re still on the fence, open March Rewards 2023, skim two reviews (if any), and ask: would I use this this week?
FAQ
Is the Studying Expressions tutorial a video or a PDF? The listing highlights a Studying Expressions and Emotions Tutorial alongside three process videos. While the exact format of the main tutorial (video vs. written guide) isn’t specified in the summary, the inclusion of “full length process videos” suggests a heavy visual component. You can check the product page to confirm if the main tutorial is a separate video or a guided document.
Do the brush lists work with the latest software versions? The bundle includes a New 2023 brush list for Procreate and updated PS Brushes. Since these are from 2023, they should be compatible with current versions of Procreate and Photoshop, but always verify that your software is up to date to ensure the brushes load correctly. (March Rewards 2023)
Can I use the PNGs and PSDs in my own projects? The files are provided as part of the rewards, typically for study and reference. However, standard Gumroad licenses usually restrict commercial use of the artist’s original artwork. You should review the license terms on the Gumroad listing to understand exactly how you can use the source files in your own work.
Bottom line
If you’re a digital artist who feels like your characters lack soul, March Rewards 2023 is a smart, low-cost investment. It doesn’t just hand you a brush pack; it hands you a method. By combining a focused tutorial on emotions with the actual source files and process videos, it gives you the rare chance to see the “behind the scenes” of how a professional handles facial acting. For $7, you’re getting a month’s worth of creative insights that can immediately improve your next piece.