Photoshop - Matte painting

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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/