Rebelle 8: A New Generation in Natural Media Painting
After 10 years of innovative development in natural media software, Escape Motions proudly enters a new decade with the announcement of Rebelle 8, a transformative upgrade that sets a new standard for digital painting.
Since its debut in 2015, Rebelle has earned global recognition for its unmatched simulation of watercolor, acrylic, and oil media, empowering artists with tools that feel as intuitive and expressive as traditional materials. Over the past decade, it has become a trusted companion for illustrators, fine artists, and concept designers seeking realism, flexibility, and creative freedom.
Rebelle 8, with more than 40 new features, marks a major milestone in the software’s evolution. This version introduces powerful new Bristle Brushes, a realistic oil shader with soft shadows, expanded professional tools, and refined workflows designed to meet the demands of both emerging and established digital artists.
At the core of the Rebelle 8 release is a significant leap in realism. The new particle-based Bristle Brushes simulate individual brush strands, creating expressive, lifelike textures. RealShader enhances oil paintings with photorealistic lighting and rich impasto depth, while SoftShadows add live shadows and natural light rendering.
The updated NanoPixel 2 engine delivers sharper detail and supports image exports up to 32K resolution. Performance improvements allow for smoother painting with larger brushes, now up to 3000 px. New creative tools include instant canvas preview, a symmetry tool, enhanced PSD import and export compatibility for better workflow integration.
Artists also gain more control with WebSocket support for real-time canvas interaction, a Brush History panel for streamlined tracking, and the ability to upload custom reflectivity maps and granulation textures—ideal for fine-tuning metallic and watercolor effects. Together, these upgrades make Rebelle 8 a powerful, intuitive tool for digital artists seeking true-to-life results.
With a standard and Pro edition, expanded support for educational institutions, Escape Motions continues its commitment to accessibility, artistic empowerment, and the creative community. Fully optimized for Windows and macOS, including native support for Apple Silicon, Rebelle 8 is both a celebration and a new beginning.
NEW FEATURES
Bristle Brushes (PRO)
RealShader (PRO)
NanoPixel 2 (PRO)
SoftShadows (PRO)
Smooth Scaling (PRO)
Advanced PSD Import & Export (PRO)
Escape Motions Connect (Photoshop Plug-in): Native Compatibility with M chips (PRO)
WebSocket Control (PRO)
Instant Paper Preview
Symmetry Tool
Larger Brushes
Recent Brushes
Layer Settings
Custom Reflectivity and Granulation Textures
Improvements to Selection
Better Canvas Resize Algorithm
Color Harmonies
RYB Color Wheel
Undo & Redo for Mixing Palette
Filer Layer, per Layer
Reference Image Adjustments
Improved Ruler with Perpendicular line
View at Print Size
Faster Loading of REB files
and more…
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum: Intel i5 or equivalent AMD processor, 4 GB RAM, 1,5 GB hard disk space, a graphics card with 1 GB RAM (OpenGL 3.3 required for Rebelle Pro), Windows 10 (64-bit) or Mac OS 10.15
Recommended: Intel i7 (6th gen or newer), equivalent AMD processor, or Apple Silicon (M-series) chip, 16 GB RAM, 1,5 GB hard disk space, a graphics card with 2 GB RAM: NVIDIA gtx760 for FullHD, NVIDIA gtx1060 for 4K screen, or equivalent graphics card, Windows 10 (64-bit) or Mac OS 11 and newer, Wacom or Windows Ink-compatible tablet.
New features video
More about new features
RELEASE TIMELINE
Rebelle 8 is planned to be released for Windows and macOS in September 2025.
NEW: EARLY ACCESS AVAILABLE NOW
Be the first to experience the power of Rebelle 8 before its official launch. Get new Rebelle 8 in Early Access from today, August 1, 2025, on the Escape Motions website.
NEW: 1-YEAR FREE UPDATES
With Rebelle 8, Escape Motions is introducing a 1-Year Free Updates, a way to keep Rebelle growing constantly throughout the year and keep its users informed about what's next.
Receive all new features, improvements, and updates for a full 12 months from the day of a Rebelle license purchase. And here’s the best part: the license is still perpetual.
What to expect:
- Own Rebelle forever, no subscriptions.
- Continue using the version you own even after your update period ends.
- Renew your update access at any time to get another year of updates.
For those who purchase Rebelle 8 during Early Access, the 1-Year Free Update Access won’t start immediately. Instead, the update period will officially begin on the full version release day, currently planned for September.
PRICING
Version 8 comes in two editions, standard and PRO, both including a perpetual license with a 1-Year Free Updates.
Rebelle 8 – $89.99*
Rebelle 8 Pro – $149.99*
*These prices are in USD. Visit the Escape Motions shop to see prices in the local currency. Prices may vary, as purchasing power parity is considered for some regions.
UPGRADE FROM REBELLE 7
All Rebelle 7 users can purchase version 8 with a 50% upgrade discount. Those who purchased Rebelle 7 on or after May 28, 2025, will receive a free upgrade to Rebelle 8 (equivalent edition).
RISK-FREE GUARANTEE
All editions include an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more information on new features, edition differences, release dates, and pricing, visit the software’s website: rebelle.escapemotions.com
THOUGHTS ON REBELLE 8
“I spent a lot of time experimenting with the new bristle brushes. The results, also in combination with the new RealShader settings, are simply breathtaking.”
“The upgraded NanoPixel 2 export is a game-changer, letting me scale my work up to massive resolutions with full brush fidelity, perfect for gallery-quality prints. I’m excited to continue exploring what Rebelle 8 offers.”
“The addition of the bristle brushes is the absolute best thing to happen to Rebelle. The potential for expressive marks and truly expressive and authentic brushes is enormous.”
“The new bristle brushes, in combination with the pen supporting rotation and tilt, produce amazing effects. Really good work on the implementation.”
AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The Escape Motions affiliate program, supported by CJ Affiliate, offers a unique opportunity to connect your website with our products. Earn up to 20% commission by promoting our creative software to your audience.
To learn more or join the affiliate program, visit Escape Motions’ website.
PROUDLY SUPPORTING ART EDUCATION WORLDWIDE
We believe everyone can be an artist, with the right tools to support their creativity. Explore our education offer for individuals and classrooms.
40% discount on individual licenses for students and teachers
significant 40%+ volume license discounts for schools and classrooms, tailored to specific institutional needs
This offer is valid for all Escape Motions software.
Connect with Escape Motions on Social Media:
Website: www.escapemotions.com
General information: info@escapemotions.com
Media contact: alzbeta.trusikova@escapemotions.com