Matte Painting done digitally

The film and entertainment industries heavily rely on matte paintings. To establish and strengthen the illusion, they are visible in the backdrop. Ideas and methods for matte painting are covered in a module in the VFX syllabus.

In order to create convincing, photorealistic backdrops and scenarios for films or television programmes. When necessary, a digital matte painter will digitally swap out the live/real components from a frame with the necessary art. These days, video game backgrounds and game cinematics are also works of art.

The use of traditional painting techniques with digital tools via a computer and software is known as "digital matte painting."

Digital paintings refer to the application of traditional painting techniques using digital tools through computer software. Artists create these artworks directly on the computer using programs such as Corel Painter, Adobe Photoshop, ArtRage, and open canvas. These tools provide a digital painting environment that closely resembles the experience of traditional painting.

While matte paintings can depict various backgrounds, they are commonly used to represent urban scenes and scenic views. Even though these landscapes may contain fantastical elements, matte artists strive to render them as realistic as possible. Understanding perspective and the impact of light on object colors is crucial in this process. Even minor visual discrepancies in color or perspective can distract the audience from the intended story.

Matte paintings are not limited to science fiction and fantasy genres; they can portray structures or urban scenes. The most impressive matte paintings are so lifelike that they hardly resemble paintings at all.

Difference between Matte Painting and Digital Matte Painting:

A matte painting is a representation of a scene that would be impractical to recreate realistically using traditional techniques. This could be due to the landscape not existing in the real world, the high cost of visiting the location, or limitations in expanding the physical set beyond what was filmed.

Matte paintings are painted depictions of landscapes, sets, or distant places that allow directors to establish specific settings and moods. Throughout history, matte painters and cinema technicians have combined matte-painted images with live-action videos in various ways. With exceptional skill and technology, the blending of these elements can be described as "seamless," creating believable and genuine environments. While the painted portions of the scenes remain static, additional movements can be added on top of them.

The use of digital 2-D visuals and 3-D computer animation has largely replaced traditional matte painting, with black backdrops being replaced by blue or green screens. Matte painters work in collaboration with film directors to create concept art, utilizing various techniques. Some matte painters use Photoshop to achieve the desired visual impact, while others prefer traditional tools such as pencils, paper, and pastels. When creating a Photoshop matte painting, artists typically search for reference materials that best exemplify the concept, such as mountains or seas.

Digital Matte Painting Breakdown:

The process of creating a digital matte painting involves several steps:

1. Select a suitable reference image.

2. Create a rough sketch.

3. Trace the sketch outline.

4. Apply grayscale shading.

5. Layer colors.

6. Add highlights.

7. Perform background masking.

Matte Painting Ideas:

To produce realistic and credible digital matte paintings, certain guidelines should be followed. For instance, maintaining perspective is crucial when combining multiple images. In the case of a cityscape, ensuring that all windows face the same direction is important for consistency.

Color matching is essential for achieving photorealism. When blending photos of mountains, for example, it is crucial to match the colors of the combined features. This is especially true if the images were captured with different cameras in diverse locations and at various times of the day or year. The overall color of an image is influenced by these subtle details.

Balancing light and shadow is another important consideration. Observing photographs reveals that objects in the foreground tend to be darker, while the background appears lighter. This atmospheric perspective, reminiscent of fog or haze, adds depth to the image. Blending distant objects with the color of the sky can enhance the perception of depth in your photographs.

A comprehensive image bank is essential for matte painters. The internet provides a vast resource, but caution must be exercised regarding copyrights and image quality. Platforms such as Photobash.org and Gumroad offer great stock picture options. Building your own image bank using a good lens and camera is also recommended, as it allows for a diverse collection of landscapes.

Digital Matte Painting Techniques:

One popular application of matte painting is set extension, where only the background behind the action is filmed and the rest of the set is painted later for practical or budgetary reasons. This technique can also be applied to locked-off shots. Determining the vanishing points of a scene helps establish perspective when working on such photographs. In Photoshop, the line tool can assist in this task, and using bright colors for the lines ensures they stand out from the background. Vector lines on shape layers can be easily repositioned, providing flexibility.

The brush and clone tools are commonly used to fill in the missing elements of a set. Choosing colors directly from the source plate helps maintain consistency between the original footage and the new artwork. However, it's important to note that the photographic grain present in the plate may not be captured in the hand-painted areas. During the compositing process, the grain is typically reintroduced to match the animated footage. In some cases, the matte painter may need to provide the compositor with an alpha channel for the freshly painted area.

Matte Painting in VFX:

Visual effects have played a significant role in the expansion of the entertainment industry. The combination of originality, creativity, and aesthetic appreciation is crucial in delivering the intended message of a story. Filmmakers value the advancements in digital visual effects, as they have greatly enhanced the quality and creativity of their films. Matte painting in Photoshop, in particular, has revolutionized the media industry, transforming various pieces of work, including advertisements, into incredible masterpieces through the application of Photoshop effects.