ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Google's Tilt Brush Lets You Paint in 3D with Virtual Reality

digital · 2026-05-05

Google has introduced Tilt Brush, an application that allows users to paint in three dimensions using virtual reality. The tool works with HTC's Vive headset (approximately €1,000), which fully covers the user's field of view, replacing physical reality. Users can paint in 3D using alternative materials like fire, stars, and snow. The interface is intuitive, similar to software like Photoshop, Gimp, Pixlr, or Paint, enabling selection of media, color, stroke, shape, and size. A prototype was demonstrated at the Google Cultural Institute lab in Paris, a space designed to merge creativity with technology. Artists worldwide from various disciplines have tested the app, sharing works on social media with the hashtag #tiltbrush, including professional animators, painters, and street artists.

Key facts

  • Tilt Brush is a Google application for 3D painting in virtual reality.
  • It requires HTC's Vive headset, costing about €1,000.
  • Users can paint with materials like fire, stars, and snow.
  • The interface is similar to Photoshop, Gimp, Pixlr, or Paint.
  • A prototype was shown at the Google Cultural Institute lab in Paris.
  • The Google Cultural Institute aims to merge creativity with technology.
  • Artists from around the world have used the app.
  • Works are shared with the hashtag #tiltbrush.

Entities

Artists

  • Federica Polidoro

Institutions

  • Google
  • HTC
  • Google Cultural Institute

Locations

  • Paris
  • France

Sources