Rebelle

Preface

In the world of digital art, achieving the organic feel of traditional painting can be a challenge. Rebelle, developed by Escape Motions and artist Peter Blaškovič, bridges this gap with its hyper-realistic simulation of wet and dry media. Launched in 2015, Rebelle has become a go-to tool for artists seeking to blend traditional techniques with digital convenience. Its innovative approach to watercolor diffusion, oil thickness, and pigment-based color mixing makes it stand out, catering to hobbyists, professional illustrators, and concept artists alike. Whether you’re sketching a vibrant illustration or crafting a detailed masterpiece, Rebelle delivers a natural painting experience without the mess of a physical studio.

Key Features

• Realistic Brush Simulation: Rebelle’s brushes mimic real-world watercolor, acrylic, oil, and dry media, responding dynamically to canvas texture, wetness, and tilt for an authentic painting experience.
• Fluid Dynamics: Built on Navier-Stokes equations, the software simulates realistic paint flow, blending, dripping, and drying, allowing for effects like watercolor runs and impasto textures.
• Pigment Color Mixing: Using the Mixbox model, Rebelle replicates natural RYB color blending, where colors like yellow and blue mix to create realistic greens.
• NanoPixel Technology: Exclusive to Rebelle Pro, this feature enables resizing images up to 16 times without quality loss, ideal for large-scale prints.
• Metallic Materials: Rebelle 7 Pro introduces metallic paints (e.g., gold, silver) for unique, reflective effects, enhancing creative possibilities.
• Customizable Brushes and Surfaces: Artists can import custom brushes and choose from various paper textures (hot-pressed, cold-pressed, washi) that influence paint behavior.
• Layer and Blending Modes: Supports layers, masks, and blending modes for flexible, non-destructive editing, with seamless Photoshop integration via a plugin.
• Intuitive Interface: The redesigned UI supports multi-touch gestures, customizable shortcuts, and high-resolution displays for an efficient workflow.

Best Alternatives

1. Krita: A free, open-source painting program with robust brush engines and layer support, ideal for concept art and illustrations.
2. Adobe Fresco: Offers natural media brushes and motion tools, with strong Photoshop integration, though it requires a subscription.
3. Corel Painter: Known for its vast brush library and realistic media simulation, it’s a premium option for professional artists.
4. ArtRage: Provides intuitive, realistic painting tools with a focus on oils and watercolors, at a lower price point.

Some Pros & Cons

Pros

• Highly realistic simulation of watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting.
• No subscription; one-time purchase with student discounts available.
• Free trial version to test features before buying.
• Seamless Photoshop integration via Escape Motions Connect plugin.
• Regular updates and active community for sharing brushes and artwork.

Cons

• No Linux or mobile support, limiting accessibility.
• Steeper learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with traditional media.
• Limited advanced editing tools compared to Photoshop.

How to Use It?

1. Download and Install: Visit the Apptofounder website, download the free trial or purchase Rebelle 7 or Rebelle 7 Pro, and install it on your Windows.
2. Set Up Canvas: Open Rebelle, select “New Artwork” and choose dimensions (pixels, cm, or inches) and a paper texture (e.g., watercolor paper or canvas).
3. Choose Tools: Select a brush (e.g., watercolor, oil) from the toolbar. Adjust settings like wetness, pressure, or tilt in the brush panel for desired effects.
4. Paint and Experiment: Use a stylus or mouse to paint. Tilt the canvas (via the Tilt option) to create watercolor drips or blend colors naturally. Use the “blow” tool to manipulate wet paint.
5. Manage Layers: Add layers for complex compositions. Use blending modes or masks for non-destructive edits. Import images or SVGs for tracing.
6. Export and Share: Save your work in .REB format for full editability or export as PNG, JPG, or PSD. Share creations via the in-software community.

Supporting OS

• Windows: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), minimum Intel i5 or equivalent AMD processor, 4 GB RAM, 1.5 GB disk space, graphics card with 1 GB RAM (OpenGL 3.3 for Pro). Recommended: Intel i7, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 1060 for 4K.
• Mac: Mac OS 10.15 or newer, including Apple Silicon (M-series chips). Same hardware requirements as Windows.
• Not Supported: Linux, iOS, Android, or other mobile platforms.

Conclusion

Rebelle stands out as a premier digital painting tool, offering unmatched realism in simulating traditional media like watercolor, acrylic, and oils. Its fluid dynamics, pigment mixing, and NanoPixel technology make it a favorite among artists seeking an authentic creative experience. While it lacks mobile or Linux support and may lag with large files, its one-time purchase model, intuitive interface, and robust feature set make it a compelling choice for both beginners and professionals. For artists looking to blend traditional techniques with digital flexibility, Rebelle is a worthy investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I try Rebelle before purchasing?
   Yes, Rebelle offers a free trial version to test its features on Windows or Mac, downloadable from the Escape Motions website.
2. Is Rebelle suitable for beginners?
   Absolutely. Its intuitive interface allows newcomers to start painting easily, while advanced settings cater to professionals.
3. What file formats can I export from Rebelle?
   Rebelle supports exporting to PSD, PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF, and WebP, ensuring compatibility with other design software.
4. Does Rebelle support custom brushes?
   Yes, you can import and create custom brushes to tailor your painting style.
5. Can Rebelle integrate with Adobe Photoshop?
   Yes, the Escape Motions Connect plugin allows seamless layer exporting between Rebelle and Photoshop CC 2015 or newer.