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2. jakso lukuvuonna 2016-2017
BRIEF HISTORY
OF MATTE PAINTING
Matte
painting is a way to create image that combines different image elements into a
one final piece. It has been used in the film industry since late 1800s. Back
then they used cut-out cards to create back grounds for live action. The
technique was revolutionized when Norman Dawn started using painted glass
placed between the camera and live action. It was then possible to add things
into the scene that did not belong there. Matte shot was used in films like King Kong
(1933), Cleopatra (1963) and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
Today matte
painting is alive and well but uses digital images instead of painting on glass.
In the 1990s the first film to use digitally composited live-action footage was
Die Hard 2 (1990) in which the traditional glass matte painted picture was
photographed and scanned to computer.
Now digital
images are created with 3D models and environments with matte painted textures to
allow camera movement in the scene. Still simplest matte paintings are 2D
digitally created images in which the camera is stationary during the sequence.
WHAT IS
MATTE PAINTING
Matte
painting is easy to understand but hard to master. Basically it’s tricking the
viewer believing he or she is seeing the real thing when actually most parts
are created digitally. It’s important that the created image is as realistic as
possible. For example, almost everything you see in The Lord of the Rings movie
is created digitally but the viewer rarely questions the authenticity of the scenes
in the movie.
Matte
painting is also used in video games but mostly for the cinematics or posters/marketing
material. Sometimes it can be used for day and night cycle or as backdrops.
Matte
painting is not simply joining few photos together. It’s an intricate piece in
which the artist has well though depth of field, lightning, scale and
composition. Every piece in the final must work together seamlessly and this is
a challenge for even the most experienced artist.
TIPS AND
TRICKS
SIZE
First you’ll
need to decide the size of your matte painting. It’s wise to work on a file
that is 150%/200% of the final size. In that way the imperfections will get
minimized and it will be easier to get rid of hand painted look when the final
image is sized down.
GRAIN
Most hand
painted pieces will stand out from the original photo used because it lacks the
grain of the original image. In Photoshop this can be added later to the hand
painted parts by using filters. From the filter gallery you can use either film
grain or grain. Also add noise will work on some cases. Apply the grain effect
to a layer filled 50% gray and set the blending mode to overlay. Test with the
layers opacity to get desired effect.
CLONE STAMP
Clone stamp tool is an effective way to remove
unwanted things in a picture. Select the tool and then select area you want to
use as stamp by holding alt and clicking the area. You can also change the size
of your stamp when needed. Then simply click the area you want to add the stamp
to.
PATCH TOOL
Another tool that works in a similar way is the
patch tool. Select the area you want to change and drag the patch to an area
you want to appear in the patched selection. You can also use this effectively
when combined with clone stamp, some hand painting and mixing brush.
REFERENCES
It’s important to have as many references as
possible. So take photos whenever you can in different places, perspectives and
lighting. Remember when later combining different pictures not to force two
images together although you might have a great idea in real not all photos fit
and you must recognize which will go together and which won’t.
LAYER MASK AND CLIPPING MASK
Layer mask can be created by clicking the mask
on from the lower right corner. It is the most convenient way to erase
something you don’t want in a picture without erasing it straight from the
picture. If you have the layer mask and remove it then the original picture is
still intact.
Clipping mask only affects the layer it’s
clipped on to. This will be useful when working with multiple layers and only
wanting to change specific things in each layer separately. Clipping mask can
be created by right clicking the layer you want to use as clipping mask and
then choosing the option create clipping mask.
TASK:
Create matte painting landscape in Photoshop by
using at least two different photos and hand painting. You can draw some
inspiration from other talented matte painters such as David Luong who has done
matte painting for several different Blizzard Entertainment games. Browse his
work: http://www.davidluong.net/art-portfolio/
