Today marks a major milestone, it's exactly 10 years since the launch of the very first version of Rebelle! What began as an idea for a watercolor simulation has blossomed into a versatile digital painting tool, now used by thousands of artists across more than 170 countries. To mark this anniversary, look behind the scenes of Rebelle´s development. Read on to discover what’s ahead, collect anniversary treats, and learn how to win early access to Rebelle 8 Pro!
A Decade of Artistic Innovation
From curious students and passionate hobbyists to professional painters, illustrators, and concept artists, Rebelle has become a go-to creative companion for artists of all levels. Over the past decade, digital art tools have rapidly evolved, but our vision has remained steady: to develop intuitive, powerful software that captures the beauty and behavior of traditional media.
It all began as a personal experiment by architect Peter Blaškovič, who sought to digitally simulate the unpredictable charm of watercolor painting. His early prototype quickly turned into something extraordinary: a paint simulation engine that authentically mimicked how real paint behaves on paper. The launch of the first version of Rebelle in 2015 brought a fresh wave of excitement in the digital art world. Artists were drawn to its striking realism and to how it felt—how paint pooled, bled, and blended with gravity and flow just as it would in real life.
The very first Rebelle promotion. Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/HHEXBiH0TRU
From those humble beginnings, Rebelle has evolved through over 100 updates into a comprehensive natural-media painting suite. Today, it includes its signature watercolors, hyper-realistic oils, acrylics, pastels, pencils, inks, and more. Features like true-to-life pigment mixing, variable oil thickness, and lifelike water diffusion are supported by advanced tools for custom brush creation and paper texture simulation. Yet despite this richness, Rebelle remains remarkably accessible, inviting newcomers to explore the beauty of painting while empowering professionals with deep, nuanced control.
Behind this evolution is a small but passionate team at Escape Motions. What started as an endeavor of five has grown into a tightly knit group of 20 developers and artists, each bringing both technical expertise and artistic insight. Based in Slovakia, our team remains proudly independent, united by a shared commitment to crafting tools that serve creative expression. An artist-first approach has earned Rebelle several awards, countless features in top print and online art magazines, and recently, increased attention from visual effects and animation studios when used in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023). 
As the software continues to grow, we are focused on balancing innovation with integrity, enhancing performance across devices, and listening closely to our community of users. We are truly grateful for their feedback, reports, and ideas. At its core, Rebelle is more than just a tool; it’s a celebration of the physical joy of making art. Ten years in, the team´s mission remains clear: to create the most natural digital painting experience in the world.
Watch on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DKNGU6DKUy0/
Share Your Feedback with the Team
Over the past 10 years, we have answered nearly 50,000 user emails, forum requests, and countless comments and DMs on social media. Whether you needed help or wanted to share more about your art, we have always loved learning about Rebelle´s users and their creative journey. We would like to know even more…
How did you discover Rebelle? What has it meant to your creative journey? Do you have any “birthday” wishes for Rebelle?
Share your message with the Escape Motions team. Log in to your Community account and post your messages in this forum thread.
Rebelle 8 Coming Soon
Rebelle 8 is arriving in Q3 2025 — and the best part? You won’t have to wait for the official release to try it out. We will make version 8 available in Early Access, giving you a chance to explore new features ahead of launch and contribute to shaping the final release.
If you purchase Rebelle 7 on or after May 28, 2025, you’ll be eligible for a free upgrade to the equivalent edition of Rebelle 8. Stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks of what’s coming!
Join Us in Celebration – Win Early Access to Rebelle 8
Help us celebrate by sharing your Rebelle experience on any social media. Post your thoughts, artworks, or painting process using the hashtag #10YearsofRebelle and make the post public for a chance to win early access to Rebelle 8 Pro. We will choose one winner on June 16, 2025.
Anniversary Treats for All
50% Off Rebelle Assets for All Users
For a limited time, enjoy 50% off 170+ Rebelle art surfaces - meticulously scanned, high-resolution recreations of real-world materials, developed with academic professionals to ensure an authentic painting experience.
These surfaces influence everything from pigment flow to brushstroke texture, making them essential to Rebelle’s natural painting feel. Browse our collection of canvases, cold or hot pressed papers, Washi Japanese papers, rough and expressive surfaces, and more, to find what suits your style the best.
Shop Rebelle assets with a 50% discount: www.escapemotions.com/shop
Rebelle Assets Gift to First Rebelle Users
To celebrate the art journey of those who picked up Rebelle at the beginning and never skipped a version, we’re giving two Rebelle paper sets worth $30. Check your email inbox to find your gift!
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
Whether you've been with us for years or just discovered Rebelle today, we’re truly grateful for your support. This 10th anniversary celebration belongs to all of us, and we can’t wait to share what’s next.
Follow us on social media and visit our blog throughout June for:
- Behind-the-scenes development stories
- Artist features and interviews
- The first look at Rebelle 8’s powerful new features
Here’s to the next decade of creativity—with all of you.
With heartfelt thanks,
Escape Motions Team
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Image credits:
Collage of Rebelle artworks from the Community Gallery
Rebelle 8 main image: Georg Ireland
Main promotional images for Rebelle versions 1- 7: Tim Shelbourne, Martin Hanschild, Kamila Stankiewicz, Kuzayova, Georg Ireland
