The phrase refers to the act of acquiring, at no cost, digital assets intended for use within graphic design and digital painting software, specifically tailored to emulate the artistic style of a particular artist. These assets, commonly called brushes, replicate the texture and stroke characteristics of that artist. An example would be acquiring digital tools that mimic the blending and line work associated with a specific well known digital artist.
Access to these types of resources offers aspiring artists and digital creators a readily available means of learning and experimenting with distinct artistic techniques without requiring extensive, custom creation of the tools themselves. The availability of these digital assets can also significantly reduce the time required to produce artwork in a desired style. Historically, artists had to develop their techniques and tools from scratch, a process that could take years. This accessibility fosters innovation and facilitates creative exploration across a broad user base.