Brushes with Robots

Have finally succeeded in making Photoshop brushes and layer settings that feel to me as subtle as sketchbook pages (well, as close as necessary for print or HD screens). Strange feeling, but so useful...






Still not quite there with the colour version, but nearly...

Been trying Painter 12 and Artrage as well. They can do some clever (and hideous) things, but I'm not at home in either one...
Painter 12 kills my machine too, and it's not a particularly weedy machine.