If you are sure you are using a good soap or cream AND you are loading enough on the brush, starting with the clumpy brush with the bristles sticking together add drops of water to the brush or bowl and whip. If the brush stays clumpy and bristles stuck after a few seconds add more water. Repeat until the brush starts to explode outward. It takes longer than a few seconds of swirling to get a good lather. You need to get air and water into the cream/soap.

Super hot water may prevent good lather as well.

I have found resting the lather for 30 seconds or so while adding drops of water can give the soap time to expand. If your lather is drying out on your face you either are not loading enough on the brush or not using the correct air/water mixture or not swirling your brush enough. Give your lather some time with the brush