September 10, 2022

10 VR Apps For Artists

Virtual reality for artists has become a reality. There are many apps that allow artists to create paintings, pottery, worlds, and more. If you are an artist and have a VR headset of some sort, you need to check out these apps.

The prices you see are from the Oculus store. I know that Steam prices are sometimes different. I will try to keep them updated but they may be slightly different than what you see here. And I am Canadian so I included the prices I see in CAD as well!

1. Vermillion

Price – $19.99 USD / $24.99 CAD

Get 25% off on the Oculus store through this link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/4900967296622279/?utm_source=2

Vermillion is #1 on the list for a reason. It mimics almost perfectly oil painting in real life. Mix paint, use different fine art tools, and create a beautiful painting all in your own virtual studio. And it is the app that got me into creating art in VR in the first place! Choose the time of day for a different ambiance and choose between different studio looks.

Once a painting is completed, you can export the file in order to create physical prints of your artwork!

This app has some of the best user support ever. The developer is continually making this app better in so many ways. In the fall of 2022, the multiplayer version was released. You can now paint with up to four people in the same studio space. You can paint on your canvas, or other people’s canvases as well.

I have made many step-by-step tutorial paintings on Vermillion that you can check out on this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwArmvEb6Upaj8al27I_4qQRBTGS-NF9F

There is an in-app browser that you can use to watch and follow tutorials directly beside your work area.

Here are some of the paintings I have created on the app:

Vermillion is often compared to Painting VR. From my experience, Vermillion is set to just an oil painting experience and Painting VR is more experimental.

Vermillion Website: https://vermillion-vr.com

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/4900967296622279/?utm_source=2

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1608400/Vermillion__VR_Painting/

2. Painting VR

Price: $19.99 USD / $25.51 CAD

Get 25% off on the Oculus store through this link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/3106117596158066/?utm_source=2

Painting VR is another virtual reality painting app. Use brushes, markers, spray cans, and even your fingers to paint on canvas!

Geared for all ages, Painting VR challenges you to explore your creative side. You can show all of your work in virtual environments such as an abandoned skatepark. You can paint on an easel, the floor, or the wall. Move around your space and make it your own.

With the in-app browser, you can look at reference images or search for tutorials to follow as you are painting.

Painting VR allows you to paint finely detailed pieces but also experiment by throwing paint at the canvas, mixing paint by pouring directly from paint cans and giving you tools like a screwdriver to create extraordinary abstract paintings. From my experience with the app, it is a lot of fun. If you like to experiment a bit more and try painting with fingers, pouring paint, etc. then PaintingVR is for you to try!

You are able to export files of your finished artworks to then be printed on art paper or canvas.

I have also been in contact with the PaintingVR team and they are great to work with. One big update they mentioned that will be coming is a multiplayer option where you can paint with other artists in the same space. This would definitely be a great feature! Depending on when you read this, maybe that is already live!

PaintingVR Website: https://www.paintingvr.xyz

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/3106117596158066/?utm_source=2

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1905940/Painting_VR/

3. Tilt Brush (Don’t Buy It, Read Below!)

Price: Don’t Buy!

I have Tilt Brush on this list for one reason only, which is to tell you that Open Brush is the free version found in the AppLab. Tilt Brush was officially discontinued by Google and the source code was given away for free, this is how Open Brush was born.

Again, don’t buy Tilt Brush, check out Open Brush next on this list!

4. Open Brush

Price: Free

Found in the App Lab for Meta Quest, Open Brush is the community-created free successor to Tilt Brush.

Take your painting to a new level by not only being able to paint in virtual reality, but also in 3D! Open Brush allows you to paint in 3D with not just paint, but light, fire, stars, and more.

Open Brush is an immersive experience that lets you create in different environments including outer space, the night sky from earth, and more.

Oculus App Lab Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3600360710032222?ranking_trace=107987285271244_3600360710032222_SKYLINEWEB_18e1d3bc-ce0d-4372-864d-4fff125bc06a

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1634870/Open_Brush/

5. Multibrush

Price: $19.99 USD / $25.51 CAD

Multi Brush is another version of Tiltbrush or Openbrush. The twist to this one, however, is that it is multiplayer. You are able to paint and create with multiple people in the same space and create together.

I love the idea of artists being able to create together. Artists often create alone in their studios so this gives you a chance to collaborate live with other artists around the world.

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/3438333449611263

6. Let’s Create! Pottery VR

Price: $19.99 USD / $25.51 CAD

Do you like to make your own pottery? Then you need to check out Let’s Create! Pottery VR!

You can go through all the stages of creating ceramics from choosing the colour of clay to adding the finishing paint on top. Use patterns and paint to give your creations unique designs. Follow along with the campaign and see if your pottery sells. Or you can just play in the creator mode and relax while you spin and shape your work.

You can use the themed styles to create pottery that mimics ancient Egypt, Greece, and more.

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1891638294265934

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/992610/Lets_Create_Pottery_VR/

7. Spatial

Price: Free

Spatial isn’t necessarily an art creation app per se. However, you can create your own art galleries where you can show your work not only in virtual reality, but in a gallery that can be accessed on computers, tablets, and mobile devices alike.

Import your own image files, 3D renders, videos, and more to make your own gallery dedicated to your own work.

Feel free to check out my gallery created on Spatial here: https://spatial.io/s/Brian-Sloan-Artists-Gallery-62c116f08554cd000104d8c1?share=9003994764674552454

Here are some photos of my gallery as well:

Spatial Website: https://spatial.io

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2927141310670477

8. SculptrVR

Price – $19.99 USD / $25.51 CAD

Get 25% off on the Oculus store through this link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/1978992975501648/?utm_source=2

SculptrVR is as if Tilt Brush and Minecraft had a baby. In SculptrVR you are able to create not able 3D designs but whole worlds. You can then share these worlds with friends and the whole SculptrVR community so that everyone can see your beautiful creations.

Export your designs for compatible 3D printing.

SculptrVR has up to 10,000X zoom which allows for amazingly detailed creations if you desire. Then, if you like, you can blow it all up with rockets.

Though this is not your generic painting or drawing app, it allows the creative mind to really be free!

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/appreferrals/BrianSloan/1978992975501648/?utm_source=2

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/418520/SculptrVR/

9. KingSpray Graffiti

Price: $14.99 USD / $16.99 CAD

Are you a graffiti artist, or maybe have always wanted to be? Well, now you can do it all in virtual reality. Use true-to-life Ironlak Aerosol colours to create your own masterpiece. You can also create with up to 4 other players all in the same area.

KingSpray Graffiti has 12 different environments where you can create including a train yard, alleyway, rooftop and abandoned subway station.

You can customize your avatar so you stand out just as much as your work does.

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2082941345119152

Steam Store Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/471660/Kingspray_Graffiti_VR/

10. Gravity Sketch

Price: Free

Gravity Sketch is a 3D design app like many others except in virtual reality. Create objects right in the space around you or in custom environments.

Take photos along the way to show your process. You have unlimited layers to work with and you can import and export images, videos, and 3D files.

Oculus Store Link: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/1587090851394426

Steam Link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/551370/Gravity_Sketch/

If any of you have other apps to add to the list, experiences with any of these apps, or anything else relevant you would like to share, please comment below so we can all benefit from it!

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