The painting looks like something Arcipello on devart/conceptart would do. And by brushes he/she probably means using the brush tool, not custom texture brushes. I swear that was made by Arcipello -- identical style. It's not terribly stunning, though. If that was made by him, he's done better. His work often leaves me in awe.

Also, you must have been in a hurry to post it seeing how you spelled the title wrong.

[edit]: Yup, arcipello http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/1386709
You don't really know this "friend" do you? Or are you just trying to make us jealous?