How to Use Brushes

Table of Contents

Overview

Brushes are the heart of Kid Pix's creative magic. Each brush creates unique patterns and effects that would be impossible with traditional drawing tools.

Accessing Brushes

  1. Click the Brush tool (paintbrush icon) in the main toolbar
  2. A submenu will appear showing different brush options
  3. Click any brush icon to select it
  4. Start drawing on the canvas

Available Brushes

Pattern Brushes

  • Leaky Pen Leaky Pen - Simulates a pen running out of ink
  • Dots Dots - Creates dot patterns along your path
  • Bubbly Bubbly - Floating bubble patterns
  • Pies Pies - Circular pie-slice patterns
  • Rotating Dots Rotating Dots - Dots that spin as you draw

Line and Geometric Effects

  • Zig Zag Zig Zag - Creates zigzag line patterns
  • Connect The Dots Connect The Dots - Draws lines connecting your mouse path
  • Geometry Geometry - Mathematical geometric patterns
  • XY to XY XY to XY - Coordinate-based line patterns

Visual Effects

  • Echoes Echoes - Creates trailing echo effects
  • Northern Lights Northern Lights - Aurora-like streaming effects
  • Kaliediscope Kaliediscope - Kaleidoscopic mirrored patterns
  • Inverter Inverter - Inverts colors where you draw
  • 3-D 3-D - Creates 3D-looking effects

Texture Brushes

  • Fuzzer Fuzzer - Fuzzy, soft-edged brush
  • Spray Paint Spray Paint - Simulates spray can texture
  • Splatter Paint Splatter Paint - Random paint splatters
  • Pine Needles Pine Needles - Needle-like texture patterns

Special Effects

  • Magnifying Glass Magnifying Glass - Magnifies areas of the canvas
  • Swirl Swirl - Spiral patterns that follow your mouse
  • Starburst Starburst - Radiating star patterns
  • The Looper The Looper - Creates looping patterns

Themed Brushes

  • Tree Tree - Draws tree-like branching patterns
  • A Galaxy of Stars A Galaxy of Stars - Star field patterns
  • Lots of Hugs and Xs Lots of Hugs and Xs - X and O patterns
  • A Full Deck of Cards A Full Deck of Cards - Playing card symbols
  • Shapes and More Shapes Shapes and More Shapes - Various geometric shapes
  • Paw Prints 🐾 - Animal paw print patterns

Brush Techniques

Hold Shift for Larger Effects

  • Most brushes become bigger when you hold Shift while drawing
  • Try the same brush with and without Shift for variety

Modifier Key Combinations

  • Try holding Alt, Ctrl, or Cmd while drawing
  • Different brushes respond to different modifier keys
  • Some brushes change color, pattern, or behavior with modifiers

Speed Effects

  • Draw slowly for concentrated effects
  • Draw quickly for lighter, more spread out patterns
  • Some brushes react differently to fast vs. slow movements

Pro Tips

  • Layer different brushes - Use multiple brush types in one artwork
  • Combine with other tools - Use brushes, then add lines or shapes
  • Experiment with colors - Change colors between brush strokes
  • Listen to the sounds - Each brush has unique audio feedback
  • Save your favorites - Remember which brushes work well together

Troubleshooting

  • Brush not working: Make sure you've selected a brush from the submenu first
  • Effect too small: Try holding Shift while drawing
  • Want to start over: Use the Undo or clear the canvas with the Truck