Is September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial) worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
If you’re stuck in the loop of staring at a reference photo without knowing how to translate it into a finished piece, you know the specific frustration of “analysis paralysis.” You have the tools, you have the intent, but the bridge between a 2D image and your actual drawing process feels missing. That gap is exactly what September Rewards 2023 is built to close. It’s not just a bag of assets; it’s a month’s worth of professional workflow resources from samdoesarts, packaged with a specific focus on the hardest part of realistic art: studying from photos.
For $7, you’re getting a snapshot of a working artist’s toolkit, including the exact brush lists and process videos that drive their output. If you’ve been watching tutorials but still feel like you’re guessing when it’s your turn to draw, this pack offers a rare look at the “behind the scenes” of a consistent creator. It’s a low-cost entry point into a structured approach to realism, specifically designed to demystify the photo study phase. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Quick answer
| Best for | Realistic artists who struggle with translating photo references into finished work and want to see a pro’s actual workflow. |
| Skip if | You only need raw brush packs without instructional context, or if you don’t work in Procreate or Photoshop. |
| Price | $7 |
| Format | PNGs, PSDs, brush files, and video tutorials |
| One-line take | A dense, $7 bundle that pairs a dedicated photo study tutorial with the exact brushes and process videos used to create it. |
What you’re actually buying
At first glance, a “monthly rewards” pack might sound like a collection of random leftovers, but the composition of September Rewards 2023 is surprisingly cohesive. The centerpiece here is the Photo Study Tutorial, which stands out because most artists treat photo studies as a warm-up rather than a core skill. This tutorial digs into that specific bottleneck, showing you how to break down a complex image so it’s actually drawable. It’s the kind of “how I think” content that’s hard to get from generic courses.
Surrounding that core lesson is a full stack of technical assets that make the tutorial actionable. You get the New 2023 brush list for Procreate and updated PS brushes, which means you can replicate the texture and flow of the instructor’s work right out of the box. For those who prefer working in layers, the pack includes PNGs and PSDs from September, giving you editable source files to dissect. You can see exactly how the values are built, how the layers are organized, and how the brushes are applied in a real project. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
The value multiplier comes from the 3 full-length process videos. These aren’t 30-second clips; they are complete recordings of the work being done. Watching a process video allows you to pause, rewind, and see the decision-making in real-time, which is far more effective than a static PDF guide. When you combine the editable PSDs with the video walkthroughs, you get a complete case study in realistic rendering. It’s a rare $7 purchase that gives you both the “what” (the files) and the “how” (the video and tutorial) in a single download. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Why it’s on our radar
This pack is interesting because it solves a specific, high-friction problem: the transition from reference to execution. Many digital art resources focus on style or composition, but the mechanical act of studying a photo is often neglected. By packaging a Photo Study Tutorial with the exact brushes and source files used in that month’s work, samdoesarts creates a closed-loop learning environment. You aren’t just buying a brush; you’re buying the context of how that brush was used in a specific, documented workflow. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
The specificity of the deliverables also sets this apart from generic “art pack” listings. You know exactly what you’re getting: a 2023 brush list, updated Photoshop brushes, and three distinct process videos. It’s a transparent offer that respects the buyer’s time. If you’ve been looking for a way to systematize your reference work without spending hundreds on a full course, this September bundle hits the sweet spot of price and practical utility.
Buyers who have followed the instructor’s work note the depth of the instruction. As one Gumroad review puts it: “I’ve watched around 10 of Sam’s detailed Tutorials by now and this one is criminally underrated! It’s a legit cheat code to get better at drawing from photos! Amazing as always.”
What actually matters
Before you checkout, it’s worth confirming that your software stack matches the files provided. The pack is heavy on Procreate and Photoshop assets. If you work in Krita, Clip Studio Paint, or a different engine, you’ll still get the value from the process videos and the Photo Study Tutorial, but you won’t be able to directly import the brush files or open the PSDs in the same way. Check your workflow to see if you can adapt the techniques shown in the videos to your preferred software. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Also, consider your current level with realistic rendering. The Photo Study Tutorial is designed to help you get better at drawing from photos, which implies a focus on observational accuracy and value structure. If you are a complete beginner who hasn’t yet mastered basic shapes and light, this might feel a bit advanced. However, if you are an intermediate artist who feels stuck in a “meh” zone with your realism, this is exactly the kind of targeted intervention you need. The full-length process videos are particularly useful for this level, as they show the iterative process of fixing mistakes and refining details. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Finally, look at the file types. The inclusion of PNGs and PSDs means you can open the work in progress. This is a huge advantage for learning; you can zoom into the layers to see how the artist built up the skin tones or the background textures. It’s a “steal the workflow” opportunity. If you value being able to reverse-engineer a pro’s file structure, the September Rewards 2023 pack is a strong candidate.
Mid-check
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start studying like a pro, this is a low-risk way to upgrade your toolkit. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
FAQ
Is the Photo Study Tutorial included in the price? Yes, the Photo Study Tutorial is a core component of the $7 pack. It is not a separate upsell; it’s the headline feature of this specific monthly bundle. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Do the brushes work in Procreate and Photoshop? The pack includes a New 2023 brush list for Procreate and updated PS brushes. This means you get native files for both major platforms, so you can use the tools in the environment you already work in. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Are the process videos full length or just clips? The listing specifies 3 full-length process videos. These are complete sessions, not just short highlights, allowing you to see the entire workflow from start to finish. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))
Bottom line
For $7, you’re getting a month’s worth of professional-grade resources that focus on one of the hardest skills in realistic art: the photo study. The combination of the tutorial, the process videos, and the editable PSDs creates a learning package that is far more valuable than its price tag suggests. If you’ve been stuck in a creative rut or unsure how to approach a complex reference, this is a practical, no-nonsense way to break through. (September Rewards 2023 (Photo Study Tutorial))