diff --git a/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_view3d_toolbar.py b/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_view3d_toolbar.py
index 85afe397d59..01e0238819b 100644
--- a/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_view3d_toolbar.py
+++ b/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_view3d_toolbar.py
@@ -54,10 +54,6 @@ class VIEW3D_MT_brush_context_menu(Menu):
 
             layout.operator("brush.asset_update", text="Update Asset")
             layout.operator("brush.asset_revert", text="Revert to Asset")
-
-            # TODO: does not behave in a useful way now, eventually improve or remove entirely.
-            # if context.sculpt_object:
-            #    layout.operator("brush.reset", text="Reset to Defaults")
         else:
             layout.operator("brush.asset_save_as", text="Save As Asset...", icon='FILE_TICK')
             layout.operator("brush.asset_delete", text="Delete")
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_brush.hh b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_brush.hh
index ec7d758057d..fc214b1ea97 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_brush.hh
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_brush.hh
@@ -180,16 +180,5 @@ void BKE_brush_scale_size(int *r_brush_size,
  */
 bool BKE_brush_has_cube_tip(const Brush *brush, PaintMode paint_mode);
 
-/* Accessors */
-#define BKE_brush_tool_get(brush, p) \
-  (CHECK_TYPE_ANY(brush, Brush *, const Brush *), \
-   *(const char *)POINTER_OFFSET(brush, (p)->runtime.tool_offset))
-#define BKE_brush_tool_set(brush, p, tool) \
-  { \
-    CHECK_TYPE_ANY(brush, Brush *); \
-    *(char *)POINTER_OFFSET(brush, (p)->runtime.tool_offset) = tool; \
-  } \
-  ((void)0)
-
 /* debugging only */
 void BKE_brush_debug_print_state(Brush *br);
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_paint.hh b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_paint.hh
index 4c0dba30558..5818c5f1095 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_paint.hh
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_paint.hh
@@ -184,31 +184,30 @@ void BKE_paint_free(Paint *p);
  */
 void BKE_paint_copy(const Paint *src, Paint *tar, int flag);
 
-void BKE_paint_runtime_init(const ToolSettings *ts, Paint *paint);
-
 void BKE_paint_cavity_curve_preset(Paint *p, int preset);
 
 eObjectMode BKE_paint_object_mode_from_paintmode(PaintMode mode);
 bool BKE_paint_ensure_from_paintmode(Main *bmain, Scene *sce, PaintMode mode);
 Paint *BKE_paint_get_active_from_paintmode(Scene *sce, PaintMode mode);
 const EnumPropertyItem *BKE_paint_get_tool_enum_from_paintmode(PaintMode mode);
-const char *BKE_paint_get_tool_enum_translation_context_from_paintmode(PaintMode mode);
-const char *BKE_paint_get_tool_prop_id_from_paintmode(PaintMode mode);
 uint BKE_paint_get_brush_tool_offset_from_paintmode(PaintMode mode);
 Paint *BKE_paint_get_active(Scene *sce, ViewLayer *view_layer);
 Paint *BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(const bContext *C);
 PaintMode BKE_paintmode_get_active_from_context(const bContext *C);
 PaintMode BKE_paintmode_get_from_tool(const bToolRef *tref);
-Brush *BKE_paint_brush(Paint *paint);
-const Brush *BKE_paint_brush_for_read(const Paint *p);
-void BKE_paint_brush_set(Paint *paint, Brush *br);
 
-/**
- * Check if the given brush is a valid Brush Asset.
- *
- * A valid brush Asset is either an actual asset, or a local liboverride of a linked brush asset.
- */
-bool BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(const Brush *brush);
+/* Paint brush retrieval and assignment. */
+
+Brush *BKE_paint_brush(Paint *paint);
+const Brush *BKE_paint_brush_for_read(const Paint *paint);
+
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set(Paint *paint, Brush *brush);
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set_default(Main *bmain, Paint *paint);
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set_essentials(Main *bmain, Paint *paint, const char *name);
+
+void BKE_paint_brush_set_default_references(ToolSettings *ts);
+
+void BKE_paint_brush_validate(Main *bmain, Paint *paint);
 
 /**
  * Set the active brush of given paint struct, and store the weak asset reference to it.
@@ -218,17 +217,7 @@ bool BKE_paint_brush_asset_set(Paint *paint,
                                Brush *brush,
                                const AssetWeakReference &weak_asset_reference);
 
-/**
- * Get the active brush of given paint struct, together with its weak asset reference.
- * \note Returns unset optional if the active brush is not a valid Brush Asset data..
- */
-std::optional<AssetWeakReference *> BKE_paint_brush_asset_get(Paint *paint, Brush **r_brush);
-
-/**
- * Attempt to restore a valid active brush in `paint` from brush asset information stored in
- * `paint`.
- */
-void BKE_paint_brush_asset_restore(Main *bmain, Paint *p);
+/* Paint palette. */
 
 Palette *BKE_paint_palette(Paint *paint);
 void BKE_paint_palette_set(Paint *p, Palette *palette);
@@ -282,19 +271,6 @@ void paint_update_brush_rake_rotation(UnifiedPaintSettings *ups, Brush *brush, f
 
 void BKE_paint_stroke_get_average(const Scene *scene, const Object *ob, float stroke[3]);
 
-/* Tool slot API. */
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_init_from_main(Main *bmain);
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_len_ensure(Paint *paint, int len);
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update_ex(Paint *paint, Brush *brush);
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update(Paint *paint);
-/**
- * Run this to ensure brush types are set for each slot on entering modes
- * (for new scenes for example).
- */
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(Main *bmain, Paint *paint);
-Brush *BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_get(Paint *paint, int slot_index);
-
 /* .blend I/O */
 
 void BKE_paint_blend_write(BlendWriter *writer, Paint *paint);
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
index 4a5827e644a..4c1a89db95e 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -253,7 +253,6 @@ set(SRC
   intern/packedFile.cc
   intern/paint.cc
   intern/paint_canvas.cc
-  intern/paint_toolslots.cc
   intern/particle.cc
   intern/particle_child.cc
   intern/particle_distribute.cc
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/brush.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/brush.cc
index cf1df39dc9a..cc0508c11da 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/brush.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/brush.cc
@@ -1392,7 +1392,7 @@ void BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, const bool r
   bool is_new = false;
 
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_prev = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_prev = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   Brush *brush, *deft_draw;
   /* Airbrush brush. */
   brush = gpencil_brush_ensure(bmain, ts, "Airbrush", OB_MODE_PAINT_GPENCIL_LEGACY, &is_new);
@@ -1493,7 +1493,7 @@ void BKE_brush_gpencil_vertex_presets(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, const bool
   bool is_new = false;
 
   Paint *vertexpaint = &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_prev = vertexpaint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_prev = BKE_paint_brush(vertexpaint);
   Brush *brush, *deft_vertex;
   /* Vertex Draw brush. */
   brush = gpencil_brush_ensure(bmain, ts, "Vertex Draw", OB_MODE_VERTEX_GPENCIL_LEGACY, &is_new);
@@ -1541,7 +1541,7 @@ void BKE_brush_gpencil_sculpt_presets(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, const bool
   bool is_new = false;
 
   Paint *sculptpaint = &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_prev = sculptpaint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_prev = BKE_paint_brush(sculptpaint);
   Brush *brush, *deft_sculpt;
 
   /* Smooth brush. */
@@ -1618,7 +1618,7 @@ void BKE_brush_gpencil_weight_presets(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, const bool
   bool is_new = false;
 
   Paint *weightpaint = &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_prev = weightpaint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_prev = BKE_paint_brush(weightpaint);
   Brush *brush, *deft_weight;
 
   /* Weight Draw brush. */
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/gpencil_legacy.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/gpencil_legacy.cc
index 3628aa1c7ac..9912608de34 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/gpencil_legacy.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/gpencil_legacy.cc
@@ -1749,9 +1749,9 @@ Material *BKE_gpencil_object_material_ensure_from_active_input_toolsettings(Main
                                                                             Object *ob,
                                                                             ToolSettings *ts)
 {
-  if (ts && ts->gp_paint && ts->gp_paint->paint.brush) {
+  if (ts && ts->gp_paint && BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_paint->paint)) {
     return BKE_gpencil_object_material_ensure_from_active_input_brush(
-        bmain, ob, ts->gp_paint->paint.brush);
+        bmain, ob, BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_paint->paint));
   }
 
   return BKE_gpencil_object_material_ensure_from_active_input_brush(bmain, ob, nullptr);
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint.cc
index 31dfb800df0..cc30bbee9dc 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint.cc
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 #include "BLI_math_matrix.h"
 #include "BLI_math_matrix.hh"
 #include "BLI_math_vector.h"
+#include "BLI_string.h"
 #include "BLI_string_utf8.h"
 #include "BLI_utildefines.h"
 #include "BLI_vector.hh"
@@ -262,7 +263,7 @@ void BKE_paint_invalidate_overlay_tex(Scene *scene, ViewLayer *view_layer, const
     return;
   }
 
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   if (!br) {
     return;
   }
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ void BKE_paint_invalidate_cursor_overlay(Scene *scene, ViewLayer *view_layer, Cu
     return;
   }
 
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   if (br && br->curve == curve) {
     overlay_flags |= PAINT_OVERLAY_INVALID_CURVE;
   }
@@ -440,61 +441,6 @@ const EnumPropertyItem *BKE_paint_get_tool_enum_from_paintmode(const PaintMode m
   return nullptr;
 }
 
-const char *BKE_paint_get_tool_prop_id_from_paintmode(const PaintMode mode)
-{
-  switch (mode) {
-    case PaintMode::Sculpt:
-      return "sculpt_tool";
-    case PaintMode::Vertex:
-      return "vertex_tool";
-    case PaintMode::Weight:
-      return "weight_tool";
-    case PaintMode::Texture2D:
-    case PaintMode::Texture3D:
-      return "image_tool";
-    case PaintMode::SculptUV:
-      return "uv_sculpt_tool";
-    case PaintMode::GPencil:
-      return "gpencil_tool";
-    case PaintMode::VertexGPencil:
-      return "gpencil_vertex_tool";
-    case PaintMode::SculptGPencil:
-      return "gpencil_sculpt_tool";
-    case PaintMode::WeightGPencil:
-      return "gpencil_weight_tool";
-    case PaintMode::SculptCurves:
-      return "curves_sculpt_tool";
-    case PaintMode::Invalid:
-      break;
-  }
-
-  /* Invalid paint mode. */
-  return nullptr;
-}
-
-const char *BKE_paint_get_tool_enum_translation_context_from_paintmode(const PaintMode mode)
-{
-  switch (mode) {
-    case PaintMode::Sculpt:
-    case PaintMode::GPencil:
-    case PaintMode::Texture2D:
-    case PaintMode::Texture3D:
-      return BLT_I18NCONTEXT_ID_BRUSH;
-    case PaintMode::Vertex:
-    case PaintMode::Weight:
-    case PaintMode::SculptUV:
-    case PaintMode::VertexGPencil:
-    case PaintMode::SculptGPencil:
-    case PaintMode::WeightGPencil:
-    case PaintMode::SculptCurves:
-    case PaintMode::Invalid:
-      break;
-  }
-
-  /* Invalid paint mode. */
-  return BLT_I18NCONTEXT_DEFAULT;
-}
-
 Paint *BKE_paint_get_active(Scene *sce, ViewLayer *view_layer)
 {
   if (sce && view_layer) {
@@ -664,28 +610,53 @@ PaintMode BKE_paintmode_get_from_tool(const bToolRef *tref)
   return PaintMode::Invalid;
 }
 
-Brush *BKE_paint_brush(Paint *p)
+static bool paint_brush_set_from_asset_reference(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
 {
-  return (Brush *)BKE_paint_brush_for_read((const Paint *)p);
-}
-
-const Brush *BKE_paint_brush_for_read(const Paint *p)
-{
-  return p ? p->brush : nullptr;
-}
-
-void BKE_paint_brush_set(Paint *p, Brush *br)
-{
-  if (p) {
-    p->brush = br;
-
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update(p);
+  /* Attempt to restore a valid active brush from brush asset information. */
+  if (paint->brush != nullptr) {
+    return false;
   }
+  if (paint->brush_asset_reference == nullptr) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  Brush *brush = reinterpret_cast<Brush *>(
+      BKE_asset_weak_reference_ensure(*bmain, ID_BR, *paint->brush_asset_reference));
+  BLI_assert(brush == nullptr || (brush->id.tag & LIB_TAG_ASSET_MAIN));
+
+  /* Ensure we have a brush with appropriate mode to assign.
+   * Could happen if contents of asset blend was manually changed. */
+  if (brush == nullptr || (paint->runtime.ob_mode & brush->ob_mode) == 0) {
+    MEM_delete(paint->brush_asset_reference);
+    paint->brush_asset_reference = nullptr;
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  paint->brush = brush;
+  return true;
 }
 
-bool BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(const Brush *brush)
+Brush *BKE_paint_brush(Paint *paint)
 {
-  return brush && ID_IS_ASSET(&brush->id);
+  return (Brush *)BKE_paint_brush_for_read((const Paint *)paint);
+}
+
+const Brush *BKE_paint_brush_for_read(const Paint *paint)
+{
+  return paint ? paint->brush : nullptr;
+}
+
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set(Paint *paint, Brush *brush)
+{
+  if (paint == nullptr || paint->brush == brush) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (brush && (paint->runtime.ob_mode & brush->ob_mode) == 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  paint->brush = brush;
+  return true;
 }
 
 static void paint_brush_asset_update(Paint &paint,
@@ -718,67 +689,138 @@ bool BKE_paint_brush_asset_set(Paint *paint,
   return true;
 }
 
-std::optional<AssetWeakReference *> BKE_paint_brush_asset_get(Paint *paint, Brush **r_brush)
+static void paint_brush_set_essentials_reference(Paint *paint, const char *name)
 {
-  Brush *brush = *r_brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
-
-  if (!BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush)) {
-    return {};
-  }
-
-  if (paint->brush_asset_reference) {
-    return paint->brush_asset_reference;
-  }
-
-  return {};
-}
-
-void BKE_paint_brush_asset_restore(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
-{
-  if (paint->brush != nullptr) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  if (paint->brush_asset_reference == nullptr) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  AssetWeakReference weak_ref = std::move(*paint->brush_asset_reference);
+  /* Set brush asset reference to a named brush in the essentials asset library. */
   MEM_delete(paint->brush_asset_reference);
-  paint->brush_asset_reference = nullptr;
 
-  Brush *brush_asset = reinterpret_cast<Brush *>(
-      BKE_asset_weak_reference_ensure(*bmain, ID_BR, weak_ref));
-
-  /* Will either re-assign the brush_asset_reference to `paint`, or free it if loading a brush ID
-   * from it failed. */
-  BKE_paint_brush_asset_set(paint, brush_asset, weak_ref);
+  AssetWeakReference *weak_ref = MEM_new<AssetWeakReference>(__func__);
+  weak_ref->asset_library_type = eAssetLibraryType::ASSET_LIBRARY_ESSENTIALS;
+  weak_ref->relative_asset_identifier = BLI_sprintfN("brushes/essentials_brushes.blend/Brush/%s",
+                                                     name);
+  paint->brush_asset_reference = weak_ref;
+  paint->brush = nullptr;
 }
 
-void BKE_paint_runtime_init(const ToolSettings *ts, Paint *paint)
+static void paint_brush_set_default_reference(Paint *paint)
+{
+  const char *name = nullptr;
+
+  switch (paint->runtime.ob_mode) {
+    case OB_MODE_SCULPT:
+      name = "Draw";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_VERTEX_PAINT:
+      name = "Paint Vertex";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_WEIGHT_PAINT:
+      name = "Paint Weight";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_TEXTURE_PAINT:
+      name = "Paint Texture";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_SCULPT_CURVES:
+      name = "Comb Curves";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_EDIT:
+      /* TODO: UV sculpt. */
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_PAINT_GREASE_PENCIL:
+    case OB_MODE_PAINT_GPENCIL_LEGACY:
+      name = "Pencil";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_VERTEX_GPENCIL_LEGACY:
+      name = "Paint Point Color";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_SCULPT_GPENCIL_LEGACY:
+      name = "Smooth Stroke";
+      break;
+    case OB_MODE_WEIGHT_GPENCIL_LEGACY:
+      name = "Paint Point Weight";
+      break;
+    default:
+      BLI_assert_unreachable();
+      return;
+  }
+
+  if (name) {
+    paint_brush_set_essentials_reference(paint, name);
+  }
+}
+
+void BKE_paint_brush_set_default_references(ToolSettings *ts)
+{
+  if (ts->sculpt) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->sculpt->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->curves_sculpt) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->curves_sculpt->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->wpaint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->wpaint->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->vpaint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->vpaint->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->uvsculpt) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->uvsculpt->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->gp_paint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->gp_paint->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->gp_vertexpaint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->gp_sculptpaint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint);
+  }
+  if (ts->gp_weightpaint) {
+    paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
+  }
+  paint_brush_set_default_reference(&ts->imapaint.paint);
+}
+
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set_default(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
+{
+  paint_brush_set_default_reference(paint);
+  return paint_brush_set_from_asset_reference(bmain, paint);
+}
+
+bool BKE_paint_brush_set_essentials(Main *bmain, Paint *paint, const char *name)
+{
+  paint_brush_set_essentials_reference(paint, name);
+  return paint_brush_set_from_asset_reference(bmain, paint);
+}
+
+void BKE_paint_brush_validate(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
+{
+  /* Clear brush with invalid mode. Unclear if this can still happen,
+   * but kept from old paint toolslots code. */
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+  if (brush && (paint->runtime.ob_mode & brush->ob_mode) == 0) {
+    BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, nullptr);
+    BKE_paint_brush_set_default(bmain, paint);
+  }
+}
+
+static void paint_runtime_init(const ToolSettings *ts, Paint *paint)
 {
   if (paint == &ts->imapaint.paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, imagepaint_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_TEXTURE_PAINT;
   }
   else if (ts->sculpt && paint == &ts->sculpt->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, sculpt_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT;
   }
   else if (ts->vpaint && paint == &ts->vpaint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, vertexpaint_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_VERTEX_PAINT;
   }
   else if (ts->wpaint && paint == &ts->wpaint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, weightpaint_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_WEIGHT_PAINT;
   }
   else if (ts->uvsculpt && paint == &ts->uvsculpt->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, uv_sculpt_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_EDIT;
   }
   else if (ts->gp_paint && paint == &ts->gp_paint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, gpencil_tool);
     if (U.experimental.use_grease_pencil_version3) {
       paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_PAINT_GREASE_PENCIL;
     }
@@ -787,24 +829,22 @@ void BKE_paint_runtime_init(const ToolSettings *ts, Paint *paint)
     }
   }
   else if (ts->gp_vertexpaint && paint == &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, gpencil_vertex_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_VERTEX_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
   }
   else if (ts->gp_sculptpaint && paint == &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, gpencil_sculpt_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
   }
   else if (ts->gp_weightpaint && paint == &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, gpencil_weight_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_WEIGHT_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
   }
   else if (ts->curves_sculpt && paint == &ts->curves_sculpt->paint) {
-    paint->runtime.tool_offset = offsetof(Brush, curves_sculpt_tool);
     paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT_CURVES;
   }
   else {
     BLI_assert_unreachable();
   }
+
+  paint->runtime.initialized = true;
 }
 
 uint BKE_paint_get_brush_tool_offset_from_paintmode(const PaintMode mode)
@@ -1175,13 +1215,11 @@ bool BKE_paint_ensure(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, Paint **r_paint)
 {
   Paint *paint = nullptr;
   if (*r_paint) {
-    /* Tool offset should never be 0 for initialized paint settings, so it's a reliable way to
-     * check if already initialized. */
-    if ((*r_paint)->runtime.tool_offset == 0) {
+    if (!(*r_paint)->runtime.initialized) {
       /* Currently only image painting is initialized this way, others have to be allocated. */
       BLI_assert(ELEM(*r_paint, (Paint *)&ts->imapaint));
 
-      BKE_paint_runtime_init(ts, *r_paint);
+      paint_runtime_init(ts, *r_paint);
     }
     else {
       BLI_assert(ELEM(*r_paint,
@@ -1198,14 +1236,13 @@ bool BKE_paint_ensure(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, Paint **r_paint)
                       (Paint *)&ts->imapaint));
 #ifndef NDEBUG
       Paint paint_test = **r_paint;
-      BKE_paint_runtime_init(ts, *r_paint);
+      paint_runtime_init(ts, *r_paint);
       /* Swap so debug doesn't hide errors when release fails. */
       std::swap(**r_paint, paint_test);
       BLI_assert(paint_test.runtime.ob_mode == (*r_paint)->runtime.ob_mode);
-      BLI_assert(paint_test.runtime.tool_offset == (*r_paint)->runtime.tool_offset);
 #endif
     }
-    BKE_paint_brush_asset_restore(bmain, *r_paint);
+    paint_brush_set_from_asset_reference(bmain, *r_paint);
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -1252,8 +1289,8 @@ bool BKE_paint_ensure(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, Paint **r_paint)
 
   *r_paint = paint;
 
-  BKE_paint_runtime_init(ts, paint);
-  BKE_paint_brush_asset_restore(bmain, paint);
+  paint_runtime_init(ts, paint);
+  BKE_paint_brush_set_default(bmain, paint);
 
   return false;
 }
@@ -1278,7 +1315,6 @@ void BKE_paint_init(Main *bmain, Scene *sce, PaintMode mode, const uchar col[3])
 void BKE_paint_free(Paint *paint)
 {
   BKE_curvemapping_free(paint->cavity_curve);
-  MEM_SAFE_FREE(paint->tool_slots);
   MEM_delete(paint->brush_asset_reference);
 }
 
@@ -1286,7 +1322,6 @@ void BKE_paint_copy(const Paint *src, Paint *dst, const int flag)
 {
   dst->brush = src->brush;
   dst->cavity_curve = BKE_curvemapping_copy(src->cavity_curve);
-  dst->tool_slots = static_cast<PaintToolSlot *>(MEM_dupallocN(src->tool_slots));
 
   if (src->brush_asset_reference) {
     dst->brush_asset_reference = MEM_new<AssetWeakReference>(__func__,
@@ -1318,7 +1353,6 @@ void BKE_paint_blend_write(BlendWriter *writer, Paint *p)
   if (p->brush_asset_reference) {
     BKE_asset_weak_reference_write(writer, p->brush_asset_reference);
   }
-  BLO_write_struct_array(writer, PaintToolSlot, p->tool_slots_len, p->tool_slots);
 }
 
 void BKE_paint_blend_read_data(BlendDataReader *reader, const Scene *scene, Paint *p)
@@ -1336,17 +1370,8 @@ void BKE_paint_blend_read_data(BlendDataReader *reader, const Scene *scene, Pain
     BKE_asset_weak_reference_read(reader, p->brush_asset_reference);
   }
 
-  BLO_read_data_address(reader, &p->tool_slots);
-
-  /* Workaround for invalid data written in older versions. */
-  const size_t expected_size = sizeof(PaintToolSlot) * p->tool_slots_len;
-  if (p->tool_slots && MEM_allocN_len(p->tool_slots) < expected_size) {
-    MEM_freeN(p->tool_slots);
-    p->tool_slots = static_cast<PaintToolSlot *>(MEM_callocN(expected_size, "PaintToolSlot"));
-  }
-
   p->paint_cursor = nullptr;
-  BKE_paint_runtime_init(scene->toolsettings, p);
+  paint_runtime_init(scene->toolsettings, p);
 }
 
 bool paint_is_grid_face_hidden(const blender::BoundedBitSpan grid_hidden,
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint_toolslots.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint_toolslots.cc
deleted file mode 100644
index fc03248b527..00000000000
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/paint_toolslots.cc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,164 +0,0 @@
-/* SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2023 Blender Authors
- *
- * SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
-
-/** \file
- * \ingroup bke
- */
-
-#include <climits>
-
-#include "MEM_guardedalloc.h"
-
-#include "DNA_brush_types.h"
-#include "DNA_scene_types.h"
-
-#include "BLI_utildefines.h"
-
-#include "BKE_brush.hh"
-#include "BKE_lib_id.hh"
-#include "BKE_main.hh"
-#include "BKE_paint.hh"
-
-/* -------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-/** \name Tool Slot Initialization / Versioning
- *
- * These functions run to update old files (while versioning),
- * take care only to perform low-level functions here.
- * \{ */
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_len_ensure(Paint *paint, int len)
-{
-  /* Tool slots are 'uchar'. */
-  BLI_assert(len <= UCHAR_MAX);
-  if (paint->tool_slots_len < len) {
-    paint->tool_slots = static_cast<PaintToolSlot *>(
-        MEM_recallocN(paint->tool_slots, sizeof(*paint->tool_slots) * len));
-    paint->tool_slots_len = len;
-  }
-}
-
-static void paint_toolslots_init(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
-{
-  if (paint == nullptr) {
-    return;
-  }
-  const eObjectMode ob_mode = eObjectMode(paint->runtime.ob_mode);
-  BLI_assert(paint->runtime.tool_offset && ob_mode);
-  for (Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(bmain->brushes.first); brush;
-       brush = static_cast<Brush *>(brush->id.next))
-  {
-    if (brush->ob_mode & ob_mode) {
-      const int slot_index = BKE_brush_tool_get(brush, paint);
-      BKE_paint_toolslots_len_ensure(paint, slot_index + 1);
-      if (paint->tool_slots[slot_index].brush == nullptr) {
-        paint->tool_slots[slot_index].brush = brush;
-      }
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * Initialize runtime since this is called from versioning code.
- */
-static void paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts, Paint *paint)
-{
-  if (paint == nullptr) {
-    return;
-  }
-
-  /* Needed so #Paint_Runtime is updated when versioning. */
-  BKE_paint_runtime_init(ts, paint);
-  paint_toolslots_init(bmain, paint);
-}
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_init_from_main(Main *bmain)
-{
-  for (Scene *scene = static_cast<Scene *>(bmain->scenes.first); scene;
-       scene = static_cast<Scene *>(scene->id.next))
-  {
-    ToolSettings *ts = scene->toolsettings;
-    paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->imapaint.paint);
-    if (ts->sculpt) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->sculpt->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->vpaint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->vpaint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->wpaint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->wpaint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->uvsculpt) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->uvsculpt->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->gp_paint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->gp_paint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->gp_vertexpaint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->gp_sculptpaint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->gp_weightpaint) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
-    }
-    if (ts->curves_sculpt) {
-      paint_toolslots_init_with_runtime(bmain, ts, &ts->curves_sculpt->paint);
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-/** \} */
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update_ex(Paint *paint, Brush *brush)
-{
-  const uint tool_offset = paint->runtime.tool_offset;
-  UNUSED_VARS_NDEBUG(tool_offset);
-  BLI_assert(tool_offset != 0);
-  const int slot_index = BKE_brush_tool_get(brush, paint);
-  BKE_paint_toolslots_len_ensure(paint, slot_index + 1);
-  PaintToolSlot *tslot = &paint->tool_slots[slot_index];
-  tslot->brush = brush;
-}
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update(Paint *paint)
-{
-  if (paint->brush == nullptr) {
-    return;
-  }
-  BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update_ex(paint, paint->brush);
-}
-
-void BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(Main *bmain, Paint *paint)
-{
-  /* Clear slots with invalid slots or mode (unlikely but possible). */
-  const uint tool_offset = paint->runtime.tool_offset;
-  UNUSED_VARS_NDEBUG(tool_offset);
-  const eObjectMode ob_mode = eObjectMode(paint->runtime.ob_mode);
-  BLI_assert(tool_offset && ob_mode);
-  for (int i = 0; i < paint->tool_slots_len; i++) {
-    PaintToolSlot *tslot = &paint->tool_slots[i];
-    if (tslot->brush) {
-      if ((i != BKE_brush_tool_get(tslot->brush, paint)) || (tslot->brush->ob_mode & ob_mode) == 0)
-      {
-        tslot->brush = nullptr;
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  /* Unlikely but possible the active brush is not currently using a slot. */
-  BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update(paint);
-
-  /* Fill slots from brushes. */
-  paint_toolslots_init(bmain, paint);
-}
-
-Brush *BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_get(Paint *paint, int slot_index)
-{
-  if (slot_index < paint->tool_slots_len) {
-    PaintToolSlot *tslot = &paint->tool_slots[slot_index];
-    return tslot->brush;
-  }
-  return nullptr;
-}
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/scene.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/scene.cc
index 3ac76a1e97a..c545489a03f 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/scene.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/scene.cc
@@ -602,26 +602,6 @@ static void scene_foreach_paint(LibraryForeachIDData *data,
                                                     &paint_old->brush,
                                                     IDWALK_CB_NOP);
 
-  for (int i = 0; i < paint_old->tool_slots_len; i++) {
-    /* This is a bit tricky.
-     *  - In case we do not do `undo_restore`, `paint` and `paint_old` pointers are the same, so
-     *    this is equivalent to simply looping over slots from `paint`.
-     *  - In case we do `undo_restore`, we only want to consider the slots from the old one, since
-     *    those are the one we keep in the end.
-     *    + In case the new data has less valid slots, we feed in a dummy null pointer.
-     *    + In case the new data has more valid slots, the extra ones are ignored.
-     */
-    brush_tmp = nullptr;
-    brush_p = (paint && i < paint->tool_slots_len) ? &paint->tool_slots[i].brush : &brush_tmp;
-    BKE_LIB_FOREACHID_UNDO_PRESERVE_PROCESS_IDSUPER_P(data,
-                                                      brush_p,
-                                                      do_undo_restore,
-                                                      SCENE_FOREACH_UNDO_RESTORE,
-                                                      reader,
-                                                      &paint_old->tool_slots[i].brush,
-                                                      IDWALK_CB_NOP);
-  }
-
   Palette *palette_tmp = nullptr;
   Palette **palette_p = paint ? &paint->palette : &palette_tmp;
   BKE_LIB_FOREACHID_UNDO_PRESERVE_PROCESS_IDSUPER_P(data,
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_280.cc b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_280.cc
index 236b3741b11..d907f28e2c3 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_280.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_280.cc
@@ -2557,7 +2557,6 @@ void do_versions_after_linking_280(FileData *fd, Main *bmain)
         brush->gpencil_tool = brush->gpencil_settings->brush_type;
       }
     }
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_init_from_main(bmain);
   }
 
   if (!MAIN_VERSION_FILE_ATLEAST(bmain, 280, 38)) {
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_400.cc b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_400.cc
index 14a7ee49227..972dcb7fdcd 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_400.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_400.cc
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@
 #include "BKE_mesh_legacy_convert.hh"
 #include "BKE_nla.h"
 #include "BKE_node_runtime.hh"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_scene.hh"
 #include "BKE_tracking.h"
 
@@ -1997,29 +1998,7 @@ static void update_paint_modes_for_brush_assets(Main &bmain)
 {
   /* Replace paint brushes with a reference to the default brush asset for that mode. */
   LISTBASE_FOREACH (Scene *, scene, &bmain.scenes) {
-    auto set_paint_asset_ref = [&](Paint &paint, const blender::StringRef asset) {
-      AssetWeakReference *weak_ref = MEM_new<AssetWeakReference>(__func__);
-      weak_ref->asset_library_type = eAssetLibraryType::ASSET_LIBRARY_ESSENTIALS;
-      const std::string path = "brushes/essentials_brushes.blend/Brush/" + asset;
-      weak_ref->relative_asset_identifier = BLI_strdupn(path.data(), path.size());
-      paint.brush_asset_reference = weak_ref;
-      paint.brush = nullptr;
-    };
-
-    ToolSettings *ts = scene->toolsettings;
-    if (ts->sculpt) {
-      set_paint_asset_ref(ts->sculpt->paint, "Draw");
-    }
-    if (ts->curves_sculpt) {
-      set_paint_asset_ref(ts->curves_sculpt->paint, "Comb Curves");
-    }
-    if (ts->wpaint) {
-      set_paint_asset_ref(ts->wpaint->paint, "Paint Weight");
-    }
-    if (ts->vpaint) {
-      set_paint_asset_ref(ts->vpaint->paint, "Paint Vertex");
-    }
-    set_paint_asset_ref(ts->imapaint.paint, "Paint Texture");
+    BKE_paint_brush_set_default_references(scene->toolsettings);
   }
 
   /* Replace persistent tool references with the new single builtin brush tool. */
diff --git a/source/blender/draw/intern/draw_view_c.cc b/source/blender/draw/intern/draw_view_c.cc
index a982282c5d4..4e0882d4fca 100644
--- a/source/blender/draw/intern/draw_view_c.cc
+++ b/source/blender/draw/intern/draw_view_c.cc
@@ -75,8 +75,9 @@ static bool is_cursor_visible(const DRWContextState *draw_ctx, Scene *scene, Vie
     /* exception: object in texture paint mode, clone brush, use_clone_layer disabled */
     else if (draw_ctx->object_mode & OB_MODE_TEXTURE_PAINT) {
       const Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active(scene, view_layer);
+      const Brush *brush = (p) ? BKE_paint_brush_for_read(p) : nullptr;
 
-      if (p && p->brush && p->brush->imagepaint_tool == PAINT_TOOL_CLONE) {
+      if (brush && brush->imagepaint_tool == PAINT_TOOL_CLONE) {
         if ((scene->toolsettings->imapaint.flag & IMAGEPAINT_PROJECT_LAYER_CLONE) == 0) {
           return true;
         }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_data.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_data.cc
index aee22c46ee2..2d50e4fe140 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_data.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_data.cc
@@ -1961,12 +1961,11 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
   Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
   ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_tool_settings(C);
   const enum eContextObjectMode mode = CTX_data_mode_enum(C);
-  Brush *brush = nullptr;
 
   switch (mode) {
     case CTX_MODE_PAINT_GPENCIL_LEGACY: {
       Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
-      brush = paint->brush;
+      Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
       if (brush && brush->gpencil_settings) {
         BKE_gpencil_brush_preset_set(bmain, brush, brush->gpencil_settings->preset_type);
       }
@@ -1974,7 +1973,7 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
     }
     case CTX_MODE_SCULPT_GPENCIL_LEGACY: {
       Paint *paint = &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint;
-      brush = paint->brush;
+      Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
       if (brush && brush->gpencil_settings) {
         BKE_gpencil_brush_preset_set(bmain, brush, brush->gpencil_settings->preset_type);
       }
@@ -1982,7 +1981,7 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
     }
     case CTX_MODE_WEIGHT_GPENCIL_LEGACY: {
       Paint *paint = &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint;
-      brush = paint->brush;
+      Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
       if (brush && brush->gpencil_settings) {
         BKE_gpencil_brush_preset_set(bmain, brush, brush->gpencil_settings->preset_type);
       }
@@ -1990,7 +1989,7 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
     }
     case CTX_MODE_VERTEX_GPENCIL_LEGACY: {
       Paint *paint = &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint;
-      brush = paint->brush;
+      Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
       if (brush && brush->gpencil_settings) {
         BKE_gpencil_brush_preset_set(bmain, brush, brush->gpencil_settings->preset_type);
       }
@@ -2057,7 +2056,7 @@ static void gpencil_brush_delete_mode_brushes(Main *bmain,
                                               Paint *paint,
                                               const enum eContextObjectMode mode)
 {
-  Brush *brush_active = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_active = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   Brush *brush_next = nullptr;
   for (Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(bmain->brushes.first); brush; brush = brush_next) {
     brush_next = static_cast<Brush *>(brush->id.next);
@@ -2151,8 +2150,8 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_all_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 
   char tool = '0';
   if (paint) {
-    if (paint->brush) {
-      Brush *brush_active = paint->brush;
+    Brush *brush_active = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+    if (brush_active) {
       switch (mode) {
         case CTX_MODE_PAINT_GPENCIL_LEGACY: {
           tool = brush_active->gpencil_tool;
@@ -2201,7 +2200,7 @@ static int gpencil_brush_reset_all_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
       }
     }
 
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, paint);
 
     /* Set Again the first brush of the mode. */
     Brush *deft_brush = gpencil_brush_get_first_by_mode(bmain, paint, mode, tool);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_edit.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_edit.cc
index 5e53b50efb2..6cbffc4440c 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_edit.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_edit.cc
@@ -395,11 +395,12 @@ static int gpencil_paintmode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     BKE_gpencil_palette_ensure(bmain, CTX_data_scene(C));
 
     Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
+    Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
     /* if not exist, create a new one */
-    if ((paint->brush == nullptr) || (paint->brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
+    if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
       BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(bmain, ts, true);
     }
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_paint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_paint->paint);
   }
 
   /* setup other modes */
@@ -503,10 +504,10 @@ static int gpencil_sculptmode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     /* Be sure we have brushes. */
     BKE_paint_ensure(bmain, ts, (Paint **)&ts->gp_sculptpaint);
 
-    const bool reset_mode = (ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint.brush == nullptr);
+    const bool reset_mode = (BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint) == nullptr);
     BKE_brush_gpencil_sculpt_presets(bmain, ts, reset_mode);
 
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint);
   }
 
   /* setup other modes */
@@ -617,10 +618,10 @@ static int gpencil_weightmode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     /* Be sure we have brushes. */
     BKE_paint_ensure(bmain, ts, (Paint **)&ts->gp_weightpaint);
 
-    const bool reset_mode = (ts->gp_weightpaint->paint.brush == nullptr);
+    const bool reset_mode = (BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_weightpaint->paint) == nullptr);
     BKE_brush_gpencil_weight_presets(bmain, ts, reset_mode);
 
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
   }
 
   /* setup other modes */
@@ -725,10 +726,10 @@ static int gpencil_vertexmode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     BKE_paint_ensure(bmain, ts, (Paint **)&ts->gp_paint);
     BKE_paint_ensure(bmain, ts, (Paint **)&ts->gp_vertexpaint);
 
-    const bool reset_mode = (ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint.brush == nullptr);
+    const bool reset_mode = (BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint) == nullptr);
     BKE_brush_gpencil_vertex_presets(bmain, ts, reset_mode);
 
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint);
 
     /* Ensure Palette by default. */
     BKE_gpencil_palette_ensure(bmain, CTX_data_scene(C));
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_merge.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_merge.cc
index be5403af4aa..238bdf49395 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_merge.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_merge.cc
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "BKE_gpencil_geom_legacy.h"
 #include "BKE_gpencil_legacy.h"
 #include "BKE_material.h"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_report.hh"
 
 #include "WM_api.hh"
@@ -97,12 +98,13 @@ static bGPDstroke *gpencil_prepare_stroke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, int totpo
   const bool cyclic = RNA_boolean_get(op->ptr, "cyclic");
 
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   /* if not exist, create a new one */
-  if ((paint->brush == nullptr) || (paint->brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
+  if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
     /* create new brushes */
     BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(bmain, ts, false);
   }
-  Brush *brush = paint->brush;
+  brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* frame */
   short add_frame_mode;
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_paint.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_paint.cc
index 65470565146..7ac52ddec39 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_paint.cc
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ static bool gpencil_draw_poll(bContext *C)
     }
 
     ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_scene(C)->toolsettings;
-    if (!ts->gp_paint->paint.brush) {
+    if (!BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_paint->paint)) {
       CTX_wm_operator_poll_msg_set(C, "Grease Pencil has no active paint tool");
       return false;
     }
@@ -1919,7 +1919,7 @@ static Brush *gpencil_get_default_eraser(Main *bmain, ToolSettings *ts)
 {
   Brush *brush_dft = nullptr;
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_prev = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_prev = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   for (Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(bmain->brushes.first); brush;
        brush = static_cast<Brush *>(brush->id.next))
   {
@@ -1989,30 +1989,33 @@ static void gpencil_init_drawing_brush(bContext *C, tGPsdata *p)
 
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
   bool changed = false;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+
   /* if not exist, create a new one */
-  if ((paint->brush == nullptr) || (paint->brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
+  if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
     /* create new brushes */
     BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(bmain, ts, true);
     changed = true;
+    brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   }
   /* Be sure curves are initialized. */
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_sensitivity);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_strength);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_jitter);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_pressure);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_strength);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_uv);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_hue);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_saturation);
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(paint->brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_value);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_sensitivity);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_strength);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_jitter);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_pressure);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_strength);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_uv);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_hue);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_saturation);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->gpencil_settings->curve_rand_value);
 
   /* Assign to temp #tGPsdata */
-  p->brush = paint->brush;
-  if (paint->brush->gpencil_tool != GPAINT_TOOL_ERASE) {
+  p->brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+  if (p->brush->gpencil_tool != GPAINT_TOOL_ERASE) {
     p->eraser = gpencil_get_default_eraser(p->bmain, ts);
   }
   else {
-    p->eraser = paint->brush;
+    p->eraser = p->brush;
   }
   /* set new eraser as default */
   gpencil_set_default_eraser(p->bmain, p->eraser);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_primitive.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_primitive.cc
index 77bf6e6a4dd..0c8a58dab80 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_primitive.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_primitive.cc
@@ -1211,16 +1211,13 @@ static void gpencil_primitive_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   gpencil_point_conversion_init(C, &tgpi->gsc);
 
   /* if brush doesn't exist, create a new set (fix damaged files from old versions) */
-  if ((paint->brush == nullptr) || (paint->brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+  if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
     BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(bmain, ts, true);
   }
 
-  /* Set Draw brush. */
-  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_get(paint, 0);
-
-  BKE_brush_tool_set(brush, paint, 0);
-  BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, brush);
-  tgpi->brush = brush;
+  /* Set brush. */
+  tgpi->brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* control points */
   tgpi->gpd->runtime.cp_points = static_cast<bGPDcontrolpoint *>(
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_sculpt_paint.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_sculpt_paint.cc
index 72de7515477..bb564c834c0 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_sculpt_paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_sculpt_paint.cc
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
 #include "BKE_gpencil_modifier_legacy.h"
 #include "BKE_main.hh"
 #include "BKE_material.h"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_report.hh"
 
 #include "UI_interface.hh"
@@ -1202,7 +1203,7 @@ static bool gpencil_sculpt_brush_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   gso->region = CTX_wm_region(C);
 
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint;
-  Brush *brush = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   gso->brush = brush;
   BKE_curvemapping_init(gso->brush->curve);
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_utils.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_utils.cc
index fb4ee91c2a4..afb7ffdf312 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_utils.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_utils.cc
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ bool gpencil_active_brush_poll(bContext *C)
   ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_tool_settings(C);
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
   if (paint) {
-    return (paint->brush != nullptr);
+    return (BKE_paint_brush(paint) != nullptr);
   }
   return false;
 }
@@ -1431,8 +1431,9 @@ void ED_gpencil_add_defaults(bContext *C, Object *ob)
 
   BKE_paint_ensure(bmain, ts, (Paint **)&ts->gp_paint);
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   /* if not exist, create a new one */
-  if ((paint->brush == nullptr) || (paint->brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
+  if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
     /* create new brushes */
     BKE_brush_gpencil_paint_presets(bmain, ts, true);
   }
@@ -1739,7 +1740,7 @@ float ED_gpencil_cursor_radius(bContext *C, int x, int y)
   Scene *scene = CTX_data_scene(C);
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
   ARegion *region = CTX_wm_region(C);
-  Brush *brush = scene->toolsettings->gp_paint->paint.brush;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&scene->toolsettings->gp_paint->paint);
   bGPdata *gpd = ED_gpencil_data_get_active(C);
 
   /* Show brush size. */
@@ -1830,7 +1831,7 @@ static void gpencil_brush_cursor_draw(bContext *C, int x, int y, void *customdat
 
   /* for paint use paint brush size and color */
   if (gpd->flag & GP_DATA_STROKE_PAINTMODE) {
-    brush = scene->toolsettings->gp_paint->paint.brush;
+    brush = BKE_paint_brush(&scene->toolsettings->gp_paint->paint);
     if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
       return;
     }
@@ -1902,7 +1903,7 @@ static void gpencil_brush_cursor_draw(bContext *C, int x, int y, void *customdat
 
   /* Sculpt use sculpt brush size */
   if (GPENCIL_SCULPT_MODE(gpd)) {
-    brush = scene->toolsettings->gp_sculptpaint->paint.brush;
+    brush = BKE_paint_brush(&scene->toolsettings->gp_sculptpaint->paint);
     if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
       return;
     }
@@ -1922,7 +1923,7 @@ static void gpencil_brush_cursor_draw(bContext *C, int x, int y, void *customdat
 
   /* Weight Paint */
   if (GPENCIL_WEIGHT_MODE(gpd)) {
-    brush = scene->toolsettings->gp_weightpaint->paint.brush;
+    brush = BKE_paint_brush(&scene->toolsettings->gp_weightpaint->paint);
     if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
       return;
     }
@@ -1942,7 +1943,7 @@ static void gpencil_brush_cursor_draw(bContext *C, int x, int y, void *customdat
 
   /* For Vertex Paint use brush size. */
   if (GPENCIL_VERTEX_MODE(gpd)) {
-    brush = scene->toolsettings->gp_vertexpaint->paint.brush;
+    brush = BKE_paint_brush(&scene->toolsettings->gp_vertexpaint->paint);
     if ((brush == nullptr) || (brush->gpencil_settings == nullptr)) {
       return;
     }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_ops.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_ops.cc
index b74b0b33acf..6d039564a05 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_ops.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_ops.cc
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ static int gpencil_vertexpaint_set_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
   bGPdata *gpd = (bGPdata *)ob->data;
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint;
-  Brush *brush = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   const bool is_multiedit = bool(GPENCIL_MULTIEDIT_SESSIONS_ON(gpd));
   const eGp_Vertex_Mode mode = eGp_Vertex_Mode(RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "mode"));
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_paint.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_paint.cc
index 69e4433a2ff..96bace404d0 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_vertex_paint.cc
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "BKE_context.hh"
 #include "BKE_gpencil_legacy.h"
 #include "BKE_material.h"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_report.hh"
 
 #include "WM_api.hh"
@@ -714,7 +715,7 @@ static bool gpencil_vertexpaint_brush_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
       MEM_callocN(sizeof(tGP_BrushVertexpaintData), "tGP_BrushVertexpaintData"));
   op->customdata = gso;
 
-  gso->brush = paint->brush;
+  gso->brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   srgb_to_linearrgb_v3_v3(gso->linear_color, gso->brush->rgb);
   BKE_curvemapping_init(gso->brush->curve);
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_weight_paint.cc b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_weight_paint.cc
index 88557c221b0..1325d9066b7 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_weight_paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/gpencil_legacy/gpencil_weight_paint.cc
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include "BKE_gpencil_legacy.h"
 #include "BKE_modifier.hh"
 #include "BKE_object_deform.h"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_report.hh"
 #include "DNA_meshdata_types.h"
 
@@ -752,7 +753,7 @@ static bool gpencil_weightpaint_brush_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 
   gso->bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
 
-  gso->brush = paint->brush;
+  gso->brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
   BKE_curvemapping_init(gso->brush->curve);
 
   gso->is_painting = false;
@@ -866,7 +867,8 @@ static bool gpencil_weightpaint_brush_poll(bContext *C)
   }
 
   ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_scene(C)->toolsettings;
-  if (!ts->gp_weightpaint->paint.brush) {
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
+  if (brush == nullptr) {
     CTX_wm_operator_poll_msg_set(C, "Grease Pencil has no active paint tool");
     return false;
   }
@@ -1519,9 +1521,10 @@ static int gpencil_weight_toggle_direction_invoke(bContext *C,
 {
   ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_tool_settings(C);
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_weightpaint->paint;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* Toggle Add/Subtract flag. */
-  paint->brush->flag ^= BRUSH_DIR_IN;
+  brush->flag ^= BRUSH_DIR_IN;
 
   /* Update tool settings. */
   WM_main_add_notifier(NC_BRUSH | NA_EDITED, nullptr);
@@ -1582,7 +1585,7 @@ static int gpencil_weight_sample_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/, const
 
   /* Get brush radius. */
   ToolSettings *ts = CTX_data_tool_settings(C);
-  Brush *brush = ts->gp_weightpaint->paint.brush;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&ts->gp_weightpaint->paint);
   const int radius = brush->size;
 
   /* Init closest points. */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/grease_pencil/intern/grease_pencil_frames.cc b/source/blender/editors/grease_pencil/intern/grease_pencil_frames.cc
index 48288d7fc71..502f3cdd40b 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/grease_pencil/intern/grease_pencil_frames.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/grease_pencil/intern/grease_pencil_frames.cc
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
 #include "BKE_context.hh"
 #include "BKE_grease_pencil.hh"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_report.hh"
 
 #include "DEG_depsgraph.hh"
@@ -350,7 +351,7 @@ bool ensure_active_keyframe(const Scene &scene, GreasePencil &grease_pencil)
                                  (*active_layer.frame_key_at(current_frame) < current_frame);
 
   if (blender::animrig::is_autokey_on(&scene) && needs_new_drawing) {
-    const Brush *brush = scene.toolsettings->gp_paint->paint.brush;
+    const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&scene.toolsettings->gp_paint->paint);
     if (((scene.toolsettings->gpencil_flags & GP_TOOL_FLAG_RETAIN_LAST) != 0) ||
         (brush->gpencil_tool == GPAINT_TOOL_ERASE))
     {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve.cc
index 107ded2d8f0..35e91d17465 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve.cc
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@
 bool paint_curve_poll(bContext *C)
 {
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
-  Paint *p;
   RegionView3D *rv3d = CTX_wm_region_view3d(C);
   SpaceImage *sima;
 
@@ -57,9 +56,10 @@ bool paint_curve_poll(bContext *C)
     return false;
   }
 
-  p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
+  Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
+  Brush *brush = (p) ? BKE_paint_brush(p) : nullptr;
 
-  if (p && p->brush && (p->brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
+  if (brush && (brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -147,10 +147,11 @@ static char paintcurve_point_side_index(const BezTriple *bezt,
 static int paintcurve_new_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 {
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
+  Brush *brush = (p) ? BKE_paint_brush(p) : nullptr;
   Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
 
-  if (p && p->brush) {
-    p->brush->paint_curve = BKE_paint_curve_add(bmain, DATA_("PaintCurve"));
+  if (brush) {
+    brush->paint_curve = BKE_paint_curve_add(bmain, DATA_("PaintCurve"));
   }
 
   WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_PAINTCURVE | NA_ADDED, nullptr);
@@ -176,7 +177,7 @@ void PAINTCURVE_OT_new(wmOperatorType *ot)
 static void paintcurve_point_add(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const int loc[2])
 {
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
   wmWindow *window = CTX_wm_window(C);
   ARegion *region = CTX_wm_region(C);
@@ -287,7 +288,7 @@ void PAINTCURVE_OT_add_point(wmOperatorType *ot)
 static int paintcurve_delete_point_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 {
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   PaintCurve *pc;
   PaintCurvePoint *pcp;
   wmWindow *window = CTX_wm_window(C);
@@ -370,7 +371,7 @@ static bool paintcurve_point_select(
   wmWindow *window = CTX_wm_window(C);
   ARegion *region = CTX_wm_region(C);
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   PaintCurve *pc;
   int i;
   const float loc_fl[2] = {float(loc[0]), float(loc[1])};
@@ -544,7 +545,7 @@ static int paintcurve_slide_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *e
   int i;
   bool do_select = RNA_boolean_get(op->ptr, "select");
   bool align = RNA_boolean_get(op->ptr, "align");
-  Brush *br = p->brush;
+  Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
   PaintCurve *pc = br->paint_curve;
   PaintCurvePoint *pcp;
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve_undo.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve_undo.cc
index cf4fa3649d3..f1cc8992ad0 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve_undo.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_curve_undo.cc
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ static bool paintcurve_undosys_poll(bContext *C)
     return false;
   }
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  return (p->brush && p->brush->paint_curve);
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(p);
+  return (brush && brush->paint_curve);
 }
 
 static void paintcurve_undosys_step_encode_init(bContext *C, UndoStep *us_p)
@@ -95,7 +96,8 @@ static bool paintcurve_undosys_step_encode(bContext *C, Main * /*bmain*/, UndoSt
   }
 
   Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  PaintCurve *pc = p ? (p->brush ? p->brush->paint_curve : nullptr) : nullptr;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(p);
+  PaintCurve *pc = p ? (brush ? brush->paint_curve : nullptr) : nullptr;
   if (pc == nullptr) {
     return false;
   }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image.cc
index 5c0cfe12099..1abb6a90a45 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image.cc
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ void ED_object_texture_paint_mode_enter_ex(Main *bmain,
 
   BKE_paint_init(bmain, scene, PaintMode::Texture3D, PAINT_CURSOR_TEXTURE_PAINT);
 
-  BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &imapaint->paint);
+  BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &imapaint->paint);
 
   if (U.glreslimit != 0) {
     BKE_image_free_all_gputextures(bmain);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_ops.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_ops.cc
index 5606cca7d6c..eba648d2c30 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_ops.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_ops.cc
@@ -369,8 +369,8 @@ static int palette_color_add_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
   color = BKE_palette_color_add(palette);
   palette->active_color = BLI_listbase_count(&palette->colors) - 1;
 
-  if (paint->brush) {
-    const Brush *brush = paint->brush;
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(paint);
+  if (brush) {
     if (ELEM(mode,
              PaintMode::Texture3D,
              PaintMode::Texture2D,
@@ -721,42 +721,6 @@ static void PALETTE_OT_join(wmOperatorType *ot)
   RNA_def_string(ot->srna, "palette", nullptr, MAX_ID_NAME - 2, "Palette", "Name of the Palette");
 }
 
-static int brush_reset_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
-{
-  Paint *paint = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
-  Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
-
-  if (!ob || !brush) {
-    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
-  }
-
-  /* TODO: other modes */
-  if (ob->mode & OB_MODE_SCULPT) {
-    BKE_brush_sculpt_reset(brush);
-  }
-  else {
-    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
-  }
-  WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_BRUSH | NA_EDITED, brush);
-
-  return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
-}
-
-static void BRUSH_OT_reset(wmOperatorType *ot)
-{
-  /* identifiers */
-  ot->name = "Reset Brush";
-  ot->description = "Return brush to defaults based on current tool";
-  ot->idname = "BRUSH_OT_reset";
-
-  /* api callbacks */
-  ot->exec = brush_reset_exec;
-
-  /* flags */
-  ot->flag = OPTYPE_REGISTER | OPTYPE_UNDO;
-}
-
 namespace blender::ed::sculpt_paint {
 
 /**************************** Brush Assets **********************************/
@@ -1091,11 +1055,11 @@ static int brush_asset_save_as_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   }
 
   /* Turn brush into asset if it isn't yet. */
-  if (!BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush)) {
+  if (!ID_IS_ASSET(brush)) {
     asset::mark_id(&brush->id);
     asset::generate_preview(C, &brush->id);
   }
-  BLI_assert(BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush));
+  BLI_assert(ID_IS_ASSET(brush));
 
   asset_system::AssetLibrary *library = AS_asset_library_load(
       CTX_data_main(C), user_library_to_library_ref(*user_library));
@@ -1118,16 +1082,16 @@ static int brush_asset_save_as_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   Main *asset_main = BKE_main_from_id(bmain, &brush->id);
 
   std::string final_full_asset_filepath;
-  const bool sucess = brush_asset_write_in_library(asset_main,
-                                                   brush,
-                                                   name,
-                                                   filepath,
-                                                   catalog_id,
-                                                   catalog_simple_name,
-                                                   final_full_asset_filepath,
-                                                   op->reports);
+  const bool success = brush_asset_write_in_library(asset_main,
+                                                    brush,
+                                                    name,
+                                                    filepath,
+                                                    catalog_id,
+                                                    catalog_simple_name,
+                                                    final_full_asset_filepath,
+                                                    op->reports);
 
-  if (!sucess) {
+  if (!success) {
     BKE_report(op->reports, RPT_ERROR, "Failed to write to asset library");
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
@@ -1135,7 +1099,6 @@ static int brush_asset_save_as_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   AssetWeakReference new_brush_weak_ref = brush_asset_create_weakref_hack(
       user_library, final_full_asset_filepath);
 
-  /* TODO: maybe not needed, even less so if there is more visual confirmation of change. */
   BKE_reportf(op->reports, RPT_INFO, "Saved \"%s\"", filepath.c_str());
 
   brush = reinterpret_cast<Brush *>(
@@ -1249,7 +1212,7 @@ static bool brush_asset_delete_poll(bContext *C)
   }
 
   /* Asset brush, check if belongs to an editable blend file. */
-  if (paint->brush_asset_reference && BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush)) {
+  if (paint->brush_asset_reference && ID_IS_ASSET(brush)) {
     if (!asset_is_editable(*paint->brush_asset_reference)) {
       CTX_wm_operator_poll_msg_set(C, "Asset blend file is not editable");
       return false;
@@ -1272,7 +1235,7 @@ static int brush_asset_delete_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
 
-  if (paint->brush_asset_reference && BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush)) {
+  if (paint->brush_asset_reference && ID_IS_ASSET(brush)) {
     /* Delete from asset library on disk. */
     char path_buffer[FILE_MAX_LIBEXTRA];
     char *filepath;
@@ -1292,11 +1255,12 @@ static int brush_asset_delete_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   // TODO: delete whole asset main if empty?
 
   refresh_asset_library(C, *library);
+
+  BKE_paint_brush_set_default(bmain, paint);
+
   WM_main_add_notifier(NC_ASSET | ND_ASSET_LIST | NA_REMOVED, nullptr);
   WM_main_add_notifier(NC_BRUSH | NA_EDITED, nullptr);
 
-  /* TODO: activate default brush. */
-
   return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
 }
 
@@ -1319,7 +1283,11 @@ static bool brush_asset_update_poll(bContext *C)
     return false;
   }
 
-  if (!(paint->brush_asset_reference && BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush))) {
+  if ((brush->id.tag & LIB_TAG_ASSET_MAIN) == 0) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  if (!(paint->brush_asset_reference && ID_IS_ASSET(brush))) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -1335,12 +1303,8 @@ static int brush_asset_update_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 {
   Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
   Paint *paint = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-  Brush *brush = nullptr;
-  const AssetWeakReference *asset_weak_ref =
-      BKE_paint_brush_asset_get(paint, &brush).value_or(nullptr);
-  if (!asset_weak_ref) {
-    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
-  }
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+  const AssetWeakReference *asset_weak_ref = paint->brush_asset_reference;
 
   const bUserAssetLibrary *user_library = BKE_preferences_asset_library_find_by_name(
       &U, asset_weak_ref->asset_library_identifier);
@@ -1348,15 +1312,12 @@ static int brush_asset_update_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
 
-  // TODO: maybe can check directly in poll
-  BLI_assert((brush->id.tag & LIB_TAG_ASSET_MAIN) != 0);
-
   char path_buffer[FILE_MAX_LIBEXTRA];
   char *filepath;
   AS_asset_full_path_explode_from_weak_ref(
       asset_weak_ref, path_buffer, &filepath, nullptr, nullptr);
 
-  BLI_assert(BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush));
+  BLI_assert(ID_IS_ASSET(brush));
 
   Main *asset_main = BKE_main_from_id(bmain, &brush->id);
   std::string final_full_asset_filepath;
@@ -1395,7 +1356,7 @@ static bool brush_asset_revert_poll(bContext *C)
     return false;
   }
 
-  return paint->brush_asset_reference && BKE_paint_brush_is_valid_asset(brush);
+  return paint->brush_asset_reference && ID_IS_ASSET(brush);
 }
 
 static int brush_asset_revert_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
@@ -1891,7 +1852,6 @@ void ED_operatortypes_paint()
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_scale_size);
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_curve_preset);
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_sculpt_curves_falloff_preset);
-  WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_reset);
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_stencil_control);
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_stencil_fit_image_aspect);
   WM_operatortype_append(BRUSH_OT_stencil_reset_transform);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
index a24a3e9aa39..49a17e53a37 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
@@ -181,8 +181,8 @@ bool test_brush_angle_falloff(const Brush &brush,
 
 bool use_normal(const VPaint *vp)
 {
-  return ((vp->paint.brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE) != 0) ||
-         ((vp->paint.brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&vp->paint);
+  return ((brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE) != 0) || ((brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
 }
 
 bool brush_use_accumulate_ex(const Brush *brush, const int ob_mode)
@@ -194,7 +194,8 @@ bool brush_use_accumulate_ex(const Brush *brush, const int ob_mode)
 
 bool brush_use_accumulate(const VPaint *vp)
 {
-  return brush_use_accumulate_ex(vp->paint.brush, vp->paint.runtime.ob_mode);
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&vp->paint);
+  return brush_use_accumulate_ex(brush, vp->paint.runtime.ob_mode);
 }
 
 void init_stroke(Depsgraph *depsgraph, Object *ob)
@@ -479,7 +480,7 @@ void update_cache_invariants(
   }
 
   copy_v2_v2(cache->mouse, cache->initial_mouse);
-  const Brush *brush = vp->paint.brush;
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&vp->paint);
   /* Truly temporary data that isn't stored in properties */
   cache->vc = vc;
   cache->brush = brush;
@@ -574,24 +575,28 @@ void last_stroke_update(Scene *scene, const float location[3])
 /* -------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 void smooth_brush_toggle_on(const bContext *C, Paint *paint, StrokeCache *cache)
 {
+  Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
   Scene *scene = CTX_data_scene(C);
+  Brush *cur_brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* Switch to the blur (smooth) brush if possible. */
-  /* Note: used for both vertexpaint and weightpaint, VPAINT_TOOL_BLUR & WPAINT_TOOL_BLUR are the
-   * same, see comments for eBrushVertexPaintTool & eBrushWeightPaintTool. */
-  Brush *smooth_brush = BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_get(paint, WPAINT_TOOL_BLUR);
+  BKE_paint_brush_set_essentials(bmain,
+                                 paint,
+                                 (paint->runtime.ob_mode = OB_MODE_WEIGHT_PAINT) ? "Blur Weight" :
+                                                                                   "Blur Vertex");
+  Brush *smooth_brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+
   if (!smooth_brush) {
+    BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, cur_brush);
     CLOG_WARN(&LOG, "Switching to the blur (smooth) brush not possible, corresponding brush not");
     cache->saved_active_brush_name[0] = '\0';
     return;
   }
 
-  Brush *cur_brush = paint->brush;
   int cur_brush_size = BKE_brush_size_get(scene, cur_brush);
 
   STRNCPY(cache->saved_active_brush_name, cur_brush->id.name + 2);
 
-  BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, smooth_brush);
   cache->saved_smooth_size = BKE_brush_size_get(scene, smooth_brush);
   BKE_brush_size_set(scene, smooth_brush, cur_brush_size);
   BKE_curvemapping_init(smooth_brush->curve);
@@ -686,7 +691,7 @@ static Color vpaint_blend(const VPaint *vp,
 {
   using Value = typename Traits::ValueType;
 
-  const Brush *brush = vp->paint.brush;
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&vp->paint);
   const IMB_BlendMode blend = (IMB_BlendMode)brush->blend;
 
   const Color color_blend = BLI_mix_colors<Color, Traits>(blend, color_curr, color_paint, alpha);
@@ -855,7 +860,7 @@ static int vpaint_mode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
       depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
     }
     ED_object_vpaintmode_enter_ex(bmain, depsgraph, scene, ob);
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->vpaint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->vpaint->paint);
   }
 
   BKE_mesh_batch_cache_dirty_tag((Mesh *)ob->data, BKE_MESH_BATCH_DIRTY_ALL);
@@ -963,9 +968,10 @@ static VPaintData *vpaint_init_vpaint(bContext *C,
   vpd->domain = domain;
 
   vpd->vc = ED_view3d_viewcontext_init(C, depsgraph);
+
   vwpaint::view_angle_limits_init(&vpd->normal_angle_precalc,
-                                  vp->paint.brush->falloff_angle,
-                                  (vp->paint.brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
+                                  brush->falloff_angle,
+                                  (brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
 
   vpd->paintcol = vpaint_get_current_col(
       scene, vp, (RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "mode") == BRUSH_STROKE_INVERT));
@@ -1950,7 +1956,8 @@ static void vpaint_stroke_update_step(bContext *C,
 
   BKE_mesh_batch_cache_dirty_tag((Mesh *)ob->data, BKE_MESH_BATCH_DIRTY_ALL);
 
-  if (vp->paint.brush->vertexpaint_tool == VPAINT_TOOL_SMEAR) {
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&vp->paint);
+  if (brush->vertexpaint_tool == VPAINT_TOOL_SMEAR) {
     vpd->smear.color_prev = vpd->smear.color_curr;
   }
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_weight.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_weight.cc
index 71049e4e8f5..4ac5efd1077 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_weight.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_weight.cc
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ static float wpaint_blend(const VPaint *wp,
                           const float /*brush_alpha_value*/,
                           const bool do_flip)
 {
-  const Brush *brush = wp->paint.brush;
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&wp->paint);
   IMB_BlendMode blend = (IMB_BlendMode)brush->blend;
 
   if (do_flip) {
@@ -932,9 +932,11 @@ static bool wpaint_stroke_test_start(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const float mo
   wpd = (WPaintData *)MEM_callocN(sizeof(WPaintData), "WPaintData");
   paint_stroke_set_mode_data(stroke, wpd);
   wpd->vc = ED_view3d_viewcontext_init(C, depsgraph);
+
+  const Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&vp->paint);
   vwpaint::view_angle_limits_init(&wpd->normal_angle_precalc,
-                                  vp->paint.brush->falloff_angle,
-                                  (vp->paint.brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
+                                  brush->falloff_angle,
+                                  (brush->flag & BRUSH_FRONTFACE_FALLOFF) != 0);
 
   wpd->active.index = vgroup_index.active;
   wpd->mirror.index = vgroup_index.mirror;
@@ -1007,7 +1009,7 @@ static bool wpaint_stroke_test_start(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const float mo
   vwpaint::update_cache_invariants(C, vp, ss, op, mouse);
   vwpaint::init_session_data(ts, ob);
 
-  if (ELEM(vp->paint.brush->weightpaint_tool, WPAINT_TOOL_SMEAR, WPAINT_TOOL_BLUR)) {
+  if (ELEM(brush->weightpaint_tool, WPAINT_TOOL_SMEAR, WPAINT_TOOL_BLUR)) {
     wpd->precomputed_weight = (float *)MEM_mallocN(sizeof(float) * mesh->verts_num, __func__);
   }
 
@@ -1672,7 +1674,7 @@ static int wpaint_mode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
       depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
     }
     ED_object_wpaintmode_enter_ex(bmain, depsgraph, scene, ob);
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->wpaint->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->wpaint->paint);
   }
 
   /* Prepare armature posemode. */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.cc
index a617aafe7c6..d145a23673b 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.cc
@@ -4125,8 +4125,9 @@ static void smooth_brush_toggle_on(const bContext *C,
                                    Paint *paint,
                                    blender::ed::sculpt_paint::StrokeCache *cache)
 {
+  Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
   Scene *scene = CTX_data_scene(C);
-  Brush *cur_brush = paint->brush;
+  Brush *cur_brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   if (cur_brush->sculpt_tool == SCULPT_TOOL_MASK) {
     cache->saved_mask_brush_tool = cur_brush->mask_tool;
@@ -4145,8 +4146,11 @@ static void smooth_brush_toggle_on(const bContext *C,
   }
 
   /* Switch to the smooth brush if possible. */
-  Brush *smooth_brush = BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_get(paint, SCULPT_TOOL_SMOOTH);
+  BKE_paint_brush_set_essentials(bmain, paint, "Smooth");
+  Brush *smooth_brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+
   if (!smooth_brush) {
+    BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, cur_brush);
     CLOG_WARN(&LOG, "Switching to the smooth brush not possible, corresponding brush not");
     cache->saved_active_brush_name[0] = '\0';
     return;
@@ -4156,7 +4160,6 @@ static void smooth_brush_toggle_on(const bContext *C,
 
   STRNCPY(cache->saved_active_brush_name, cur_brush->id.name + 2);
 
-  BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, smooth_brush);
   cache->saved_smooth_size = BKE_brush_size_get(scene, smooth_brush);
   BKE_brush_size_set(scene, smooth_brush, cur_brush_size);
   BKE_curvemapping_init(smooth_brush->curve);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_ops.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_ops.cc
index eac4f1d8723..5be7ad95922 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_ops.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_ops.cc
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ static int sculpt_mode_toggle_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
       depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
     }
     ED_object_sculptmode_enter_ex(bmain, depsgraph, scene, ob, false, op->reports);
-    BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->sculpt->paint);
+    BKE_paint_brush_validate(bmain, &ts->sculpt->paint);
 
     if (ob->mode & mode_flag) {
       Mesh *mesh = static_cast<Mesh *>(ob->data);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_uv.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_uv.cc
index 3476bb2d4c2..541289a6be1 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_uv.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_uv.cc
@@ -647,10 +647,11 @@ static UvSculptData *uv_sculpt_stroke_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wm
   UvSculptData *data = MEM_cnew<UvSculptData>(__func__);
   BMEditMesh *em = BKE_editmesh_from_object(obedit);
   BMesh *bm = em->bm;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&ts->uvsculpt->paint);
 
   op->customdata = data;
 
-  BKE_curvemapping_init(ts->uvsculpt->paint.brush->curve);
+  BKE_curvemapping_init(brush->curve);
 
   if (data) {
     ARegion *region = CTX_wm_region(C);
@@ -668,7 +669,7 @@ static UvSculptData *uv_sculpt_stroke_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wm
     int island_index = 0;
     data->tool = (RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "mode") == BRUSH_STROKE_SMOOTH) ?
                      UV_SCULPT_TOOL_RELAX :
-                     eBrushUVSculptTool(ts->uvsculpt->paint.brush->uv_sculpt_tool);
+                     eBrushUVSculptTool(brush->uv_sculpt_tool);
     data->invert = (RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "mode") == BRUSH_STROKE_INVERT) ? 1 : 0;
 
     data->uvsculpt = &ts->uvsculpt->paint;
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_image/image_edit.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_image/image_edit.cc
index 35b734510c2..a7f1cdabc34 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_image/image_edit.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_image/image_edit.cc
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "BKE_layer.hh"
 #include "BKE_lib_id.hh"
 #include "BKE_main.hh"
+#include "BKE_paint.hh"
 #include "BKE_scene.hh"
 
 #include "IMB_imbuf_types.hh"
@@ -520,7 +521,7 @@ bool ED_space_image_paint_curve(const bContext *C)
   SpaceImage *sima = CTX_wm_space_image(C);
 
   if (sima && sima->mode == SI_MODE_PAINT) {
-    Brush *br = CTX_data_tool_settings(C)->imapaint.paint.brush;
+    Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(&CTX_data_tool_settings(C)->imapaint.paint);
 
     if (br && (br->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
       return true;
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_convert_paintcurve.cc b/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_convert_paintcurve.cc
index d35d4d7958c..ea4f4df20ec 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_convert_paintcurve.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_convert_paintcurve.cc
@@ -112,9 +112,9 @@ static void PaintCurvePointToTransData(PaintCurvePoint *pcp,
 static void createTransPaintCurveVerts(bContext *C, TransInfo *t)
 {
   Paint *paint = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
+  Brush *br = (paint) ? BKE_paint_brush(paint) : nullptr;
   PaintCurve *pc;
   PaintCurvePoint *pcp;
-  Brush *br;
   TransData *td = nullptr;
   TransData2D *td2d = nullptr;
   TransDataPaintCurve *tdpc = nullptr;
@@ -125,11 +125,10 @@ static void createTransPaintCurveVerts(bContext *C, TransInfo *t)
 
   tc->data_len = 0;
 
-  if (!paint || !paint->brush || !paint->brush->paint_curve) {
+  if (!paint || !br) {
     return;
   }
 
-  br = paint->brush;
   pc = br->paint_curve;
 
   for (pcp = pc->points, i = 0; i < pc->tot_points; i++, pcp++) {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_generics.cc b/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_generics.cc
index 6e12ff6f980..ecc56021066 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_generics.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/transform/transform_generics.cc
@@ -271,7 +271,8 @@ void initTransInfo(bContext *C, TransInfo *t, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *eve
 
     if ((object_mode & OB_MODE_ALL_PAINT) || (object_mode & OB_MODE_SCULPT_CURVES)) {
       Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active_from_context(C);
-      if (p && p->brush && (p->brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
+      Brush *brush = (p) ? BKE_paint_brush(p) : nullptr;
+      if (brush && (brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
         t->options |= CTX_PAINT_CURVE;
       }
     }
@@ -303,7 +304,8 @@ void initTransInfo(bContext *C, TransInfo *t, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *eve
     }
     else if (sima->mode == SI_MODE_PAINT) {
       Paint *p = &sce->toolsettings->imapaint.paint;
-      if (p->brush && (p->brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
+      Brush *brush = (p) ? BKE_paint_brush(p) : nullptr;
+      if (brush && (brush->flag & BRUSH_CURVE)) {
         t->options |= CTX_PAINT_CURVE;
       }
     }
@@ -1110,7 +1112,7 @@ bool calculateCenterActive(TransInfo *t, bool select_only, float r_center[3])
   }
   else if (t->options & CTX_PAINT_CURVE) {
     Paint *p = BKE_paint_get_active(t->scene, t->view_layer);
-    Brush *br = p->brush;
+    Brush *br = BKE_paint_brush(p);
     PaintCurve *pc = br->paint_curve;
     copy_v3_v3(r_center, pc->points[pc->add_index - 1].bez.vec[1]);
     r_center[2] = 0.0f;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_scene_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_scene_types.h
index d60c5147de2..cc6727cbb7a 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_scene_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_scene_types.h
@@ -950,16 +950,11 @@ typedef struct TimeMarker {
 
 typedef struct Paint_Runtime {
   /** Avoid having to compare with scene pointer everywhere. */
-  unsigned int tool_offset;
+  unsigned int initialized;
   unsigned short ob_mode;
   char _pad[2];
 } Paint_Runtime;
 
-/** We might want to store other things here. */
-typedef struct PaintToolSlot {
-  struct Brush *brush;
-} PaintToolSlot;
-
 /** Paint Tool Base. */
 typedef struct Paint {
   /**
@@ -976,14 +971,6 @@ typedef struct Paint {
    */
   struct AssetWeakReference *brush_asset_reference;
 
-  /**
-   * Each tool has its own active brush,
-   * The currently active tool is defined by the current 'brush'.
-   */
-  struct PaintToolSlot *tool_slots;
-  int tool_slots_len;
-  char _pad1[4];
-
   struct Palette *palette;
   /** Cavity curve. */
   struct CurveMapping *cavity_curve;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_brush.cc b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_brush.cc
index 9e47b08d27b..b721de0f2a6 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_brush.cc
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_brush.cc
@@ -1087,7 +1087,7 @@ static void rna_BrushGpencilSettings_default_eraser_update(Main *bmain,
 {
   ToolSettings *ts = scene->toolsettings;
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
-  Brush *brush_cur = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush_cur = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* disable default eraser in all brushes */
   for (Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(bmain->brushes.first); brush;
@@ -1127,7 +1127,7 @@ static void rna_BrushGpencilSettings_eraser_mode_update(Main * /*bmain*/,
 {
   ToolSettings *ts = scene->toolsettings;
   Paint *paint = &ts->gp_paint->paint;
-  Brush *brush = paint->brush;
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
 
   /* set eraser icon */
   if ((brush) && (brush->gpencil_tool == GPAINT_TOOL_ERASE)) {
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_sculpt_paint.cc b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_sculpt_paint.cc
index bc0ad62d2c0..bffbaaef197 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_sculpt_paint.cc
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_sculpt_paint.cc
@@ -270,114 +270,27 @@ static std::optional<std::string> rna_ParticleEdit_path(const PointerRNA * /*ptr
   return "tool_settings.particle_edit";
 }
 
-static bool rna_Brush_mode_poll(PointerRNA *ptr, PointerRNA value)
+static PointerRNA rna_Paint_brush_get(PointerRNA *ptr)
+{
+  Paint *paint = static_cast<Paint *>(ptr->data);
+  Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(paint);
+  return RNA_id_pointer_create(&brush->id);
+}
+
+static void rna_Paint_brush_set(PointerRNA *ptr, PointerRNA value, ReportList * /*reports*/)
+{
+  Paint *paint = static_cast<Paint *>(ptr->data);
+  Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(value.data);
+  BKE_paint_brush_set(paint, brush);
+  BKE_paint_invalidate_overlay_all();
+}
+
+static bool rna_Paint_brush_poll(PointerRNA *ptr, PointerRNA value)
 {
   const Paint *paint = static_cast<Paint *>(ptr->data);
-  Brush *brush = (Brush *)value.owner_id;
-  const uint tool_offset = paint->runtime.tool_offset;
-  const eObjectMode ob_mode = eObjectMode(paint->runtime.ob_mode);
-  UNUSED_VARS_NDEBUG(tool_offset);
-  BLI_assert(tool_offset && ob_mode);
+  const Brush *brush = static_cast<Brush *>(value.data);
 
-  if (brush->ob_mode & ob_mode) {
-    if (paint->brush) {
-      if (BKE_brush_tool_get(paint->brush, paint) == BKE_brush_tool_get(brush, paint)) {
-        return true;
-      }
-    }
-    else {
-      return true;
-    }
-  }
-
-  return false;
-}
-
-static bool paint_contains_brush_slot(const Paint *paint, const PaintToolSlot *tslot, int *r_index)
-{
-  if ((tslot >= paint->tool_slots) && (tslot < (paint->tool_slots + paint->tool_slots_len))) {
-    *r_index = int(tslot - paint->tool_slots);
-    return true;
-  }
-  return false;
-}
-
-static bool rna_Brush_mode_with_tool_poll(PointerRNA *ptr, PointerRNA value)
-{
-  Scene *scene = (Scene *)ptr->owner_id;
-  const PaintToolSlot *tslot = static_cast<PaintToolSlot *>(ptr->data);
-  ToolSettings *ts = scene->toolsettings;
-  Brush *brush = (Brush *)value.owner_id;
-  int mode = 0;
-  int slot_index = 0;
-
-  if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->imapaint.paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->imagepaint_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_TEXTURE_PAINT;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->sculpt->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->sculpt_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->uvsculpt->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->uv_sculpt_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_EDIT;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->vpaint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->vertexpaint_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_VERTEX_PAINT;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->wpaint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->weightpaint_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_WEIGHT_PAINT;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->gp_paint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->gpencil_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    if (U.experimental.use_grease_pencil_version3) {
-      mode = OB_MODE_PAINT_GREASE_PENCIL;
-    }
-    else {
-      mode = OB_MODE_PAINT_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
-    }
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->gp_vertexpaint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->gpencil_vertex_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_VERTEX_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->gp_sculptpaint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->gpencil_sculpt_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->gp_weightpaint->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->gpencil_weight_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_WEIGHT_GPENCIL_LEGACY;
-  }
-  else if (paint_contains_brush_slot(&ts->curves_sculpt->paint, tslot, &slot_index)) {
-    if (slot_index != brush->curves_sculpt_tool) {
-      return false;
-    }
-    mode = OB_MODE_SCULPT_CURVES;
-  }
-
-  return brush->ob_mode & mode;
+  return (brush == nullptr) || (paint->runtime.ob_mode & brush->ob_mode) != 0;
 }
 
 static void rna_Sculpt_update(bContext *C, PointerRNA * /*ptr*/)
@@ -453,16 +366,6 @@ static std::optional<std::string> rna_ParticleBrush_path(const PointerRNA * /*pt
   return "tool_settings.particle_edit.brush";
 }
 
-static void rna_Paint_brush_update(Main * /*bmain*/, Scene * /*scene*/, PointerRNA *ptr)
-{
-  Paint *paint = static_cast<Paint *>(ptr->data);
-  Brush *br = paint->brush;
-  BKE_paint_invalidate_overlay_all();
-  /* Needed because we're not calling 'BKE_paint_brush_set' which handles this. */
-  BKE_paint_toolslots_brush_update(paint);
-  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_BRUSH | NA_SELECTED, br);
-}
-
 static void rna_ImaPaint_viewport_update(Main * /*bmain*/, Scene * /*scene*/, PointerRNA * /*ptr*/)
 {
   /* not the best solution maybe, but will refresh the 3D viewport */
@@ -598,20 +501,6 @@ static void rna_def_paint_curve(BlenderRNA *brna)
   RNA_def_struct_ui_icon(srna, ICON_CURVE_BEZCURVE);
 }
 
-static void rna_def_paint_tool_slot(BlenderRNA *brna)
-{
-  StructRNA *srna;
-  PropertyRNA *prop;
-
-  srna = RNA_def_struct(brna, "PaintToolSlot", nullptr);
-  RNA_def_struct_ui_text(srna, "Paint Tool Slot", "");
-
-  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "brush", PROP_POINTER, PROP_NONE);
-  RNA_def_property_flag(prop, PROP_EDITABLE);
-  RNA_def_property_pointer_funcs(prop, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, "rna_Brush_mode_with_tool_poll");
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Brush", "");
-}
-
 static void rna_def_paint(BlenderRNA *brna)
 {
   StructRNA *srna;
@@ -623,9 +512,11 @@ static void rna_def_paint(BlenderRNA *brna)
   /* Global Settings */
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "brush", PROP_POINTER, PROP_NONE);
   RNA_def_property_flag(prop, PROP_EDITABLE);
-  RNA_def_property_pointer_funcs(prop, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, "rna_Brush_mode_poll");
+  RNA_def_property_struct_type(prop, "Brush");
+  RNA_def_property_pointer_funcs(
+      prop, "rna_Paint_brush_get", "rna_Paint_brush_set", nullptr, "rna_Paint_brush_poll");
   RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Brush", "Active Brush");
-  RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_Paint_brush_update");
+  RNA_def_property_update(prop, NC_BRUSH | NA_SELECTED, nullptr);
 
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "brush_asset_reference", PROP_POINTER, PROP_NONE);
   RNA_def_property_clear_flag(prop, PROP_EDITABLE);
@@ -634,22 +525,6 @@ static void rna_def_paint(BlenderRNA *brna)
                            "A weak reference to the matching brush asset, used e.g. to restore "
                            "the last used brush on file load");
 
-  /* paint_tool_slots */
-  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "tool_slots", PROP_COLLECTION, PROP_NONE);
-  RNA_def_property_collection_sdna(prop, nullptr, "tool_slots", "tool_slots_len");
-  RNA_def_property_struct_type(prop, "PaintToolSlot");
-  /* don't dereference pointer! */
-  RNA_def_property_collection_funcs(prop,
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    "rna_iterator_array_get",
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    nullptr,
-                                    nullptr);
-  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Paint Tool Slots", "");
-
   prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "palette", PROP_POINTER, PROP_NONE);
   RNA_def_property_flag(prop, PROP_EDITABLE);
   RNA_def_property_pointer_funcs(prop, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr);
@@ -1687,7 +1562,6 @@ void RNA_def_sculpt_paint(BlenderRNA *brna)
   /* *** Non-Animated *** */
   RNA_define_animate_sdna(false);
   rna_def_paint_curve(brna);
-  rna_def_paint_tool_slot(brna);
   rna_def_paint(brna);
   rna_def_sculpt(brna);
   rna_def_uv_sculpt(brna);