Matte Painting

with 10 Comments

One of the past lessons that I greatly enjoyed in my Advance Photoshop class is Matte Painting. According to Wikipedia, matte painting is a painted representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of an environment that would otherwise be too expensive or impossible to build or visit.

Below is the original photo of a very beautiful day in the mountain with an empty house. Our goal is to turn it into a night scene.

house

I matte painted this image into night using Photoshop various brushes and techniques. I first created the ambiance by darkening the photo then using gradient for the night sky. Next I put on details like the stars, moon and the shooting star. Lastly I put on light and shadow where I painted those beautiful bright fireflies that seem to be coming out of the house as well as the faded light at the windows.

matte painting night scene of house

We have created various other scenes using the original photo like a snow, underwater and a rain scene. It’s difficult to create a realistic environment. Familiarity of the techniques and tools is a great advantage.

I hope to be a matte painter someday. I am still learning and hope to be gentle about the process.

Have a great weekend everyone! Be happy!

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10 Responses

  1. Natasha
    |

    Your work made this a magical scene. Good work. :)

  2. Annette G
    |

    terrific digi work. Happy PPF, Annette x

  3. giggles
    |

    Truly beautiful you captured the mood!!

    Hugs Giggles

  4. Marji
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    Great digital work. I love how the night scene turned out. Happy PPF

  5. nora Clemens-Gallo
    |

    Gorgeous digital work. Love it!

  6. Tracey Fletcher King
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    you have really added something to the scene…xx

  7. Alicia
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    wow, what an awesome technique! I’ve used photoshop. but never like this! I bet you had to use layers! thanks for the cool info I may try one myself :D

  8. Karen Smithey
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    Fascinating post! And your work is beautiful–

  9. Faye
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    Wonderful transformation, Elisa. The scene you used for your matte painting is gorgeous. I love the mountains in the background. And I love old houses.

  10. Anne
    |

    Wow, what a cool effect! Love it!!

    Happy PPF!

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